C.H. Claudy was the author of 32 books and more than 1,600 essays and short stories. He freelanced for several newspapers and was a correspondent for Scientific American. His photographs of the early Wright brothers’ flights are now at the Smithsonian. The Battle of Base-ball was his only book on the national pastime.

“One of the best but least-heralded developments in the recent history of baseball literature was the inauguration of the McFarland Historical Baseball Library in 2003”—I>Spitball; “[a] wonderful read for any fans of the game who want to understand [its] strategies in a new light.”—Journal of Sport History; “invaluable McFarland Historical Baseball Library series”—Edward Achorn, The Providence Journal.

• Table of ContentsAcknowledgments      List of Illustrations      xiiiEditors’ Note      Preface      1. Base-ball A Battle of Brains as Well as Skill      2. Batting      3. Base-running      4. Generalship of Offense      5. Defense—Pitcher and Catcher      6. Fielding      7. Generalship of Defense      8. Drill—Battlefield and Arms      9. The Rules—League Law      10. Umpiring and Fair Play      How I Became a Big-League Pitcher, by Christy Mathewson      A.G. Spalding’s Simplified Rules      Index

C.H. Claudy was the author of 32 books and more than 1,600 essays and short stories. He freelanced for several newspapers and was a correspondent for Scientific American. His photographs of the early Wright brothers’ flights are now at the Smithsonian. The Battle of Base-ball was his only book on the national pastime.

“One of the best but least-heralded developments in the recent history of baseball literature was the inauguration of the McFarland Historical Baseball Library in 2003”—I>Spitball; “[a] wonderful read for any fans of the game who want to understand [its] strategies in a new light.”—Journal of Sport History; “invaluable McFarland Historical Baseball Library series”—Edward Achorn, The Providence Journal.

• Table of ContentsAcknowledgments      List of Illustrations      xiiiEditors’ Note      Preface      1. Base-ball A Battle of Brains as Well as Skill      2. Batting      3. Base-running      4. Generalship of Offense      5. Defense—Pitcher and Catcher      6. Fielding      7. Generalship of Defense      8. Drill—Battlefield and Arms      9. The Rules—League Law      10. Umpiring and Fair Play      How I Became a Big-League Pitcher, by Christy Mathewson      A.G. Spalding’s Simplified Rules      Index