The Longest Game Ever Played
Did you know that the longest game in professional baseball history lasted for 33 innings? It took place on April 18 and 19, 1981 between the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Rochester Red Wings. The game lasted for a total of 8 hours and 25 minutes!
Another interesting fact about this game is that it was interrupted by a curfew and had to be continued the next day. The final score was 3-2 in favor of the Pawtucket Red Sox.
The Rule of the North Pole Game
Have you ever heard of the North Pole game? It’s a unique baseball game that takes place every year in the Arctic region of Alaska. The rule of this game is that the ball must be hit with a wooden bat made from a tree branch found in the area.
Another interesting rule is that if the ball is hit into the ocean, it is considered a home run, regardless of how far it travels. The game is played by local residents and is a fun way to celebrate the sport in extreme conditions.
Presidents and the First Pitch Tradition
Did you know that the tradition of the president throwing the first pitch at a baseball game dates back to 1910? The first president to do so was William Howard Taft, who threw the ceremonial first pitch on April 14, 1910, at a Washington Senators game.
Since then, almost every U.S. president has continued this tradition. It is seen as a symbol of the president’s support for the sport and is eagerly awaited by fans at the beginning of each baseball season.
The Mystery of the Hidden Ball Trick
The hidden ball trick is a deceptive play in baseball where a fielder pretends to have the ball while the runner is unaware. This trick has been successfully used in various games throughout history.
One famous instance of the hidden ball trick occurred during the 1951 World Series between the New York Giants and the New York Yankees. In Game 1, Giants’ third baseman, Bobby Thomson, pretended to throw the ball back to the pitcher after a foul ball, but actually kept it hidden. When the Yankees’ baserunner, Johnny Mize, stepped off the base, Thomson tagged him out, completing the hidden ball trick.
Baseballs That Reached Outer Space
Believe it or not, there have been baseballs that have reached outer space! In 2008, astronaut Garrett Reisman brought a baseball with him to the International Space Station (ISS). He threw the ball while in orbit, making it the first baseball to be thrown in space.
Another interesting fact is that the baseball used in the first pitch of the 2015 World Series between the New York Mets and the Kansas City Royals traveled to space before returning to Earth. It was used by astronaut Terry Virts aboard the ISS and then delivered to the game for the ceremonial first pitch.
