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Spalding's Official Base Ball Score Book No. 2

1890 Spalding Score Book Price List

1880's H804-36 W D Series Scorecards

Baseball-Theme
E. Nash Scorecard Fan

Spalding Official Base Ball Score Book No. 3

1937 - 5th annul All-Star Game Program

1952 AAGPBL Grand Rapids Chicks Score Book

1957 Milwaukee Braves Scorecard

1958 Dodgers Inaugural Season Scorecard

1963 Stan Musial's
Last Game Scorecard

1993 Florida Marlins Inaugural Year Scorecards

 
 
 
 KeyMan Collectibles  NEWSLETTER January 2020  
Base Ball Score Books Scorecards and Programs
 Steven KeyMan
Steven KeyMan
  Keeping Score - By Steven KeyMan
Founder of Keymancollectibles.com, and a long time collector, Steven KeyMan has more than 30 years of experience in researching, and cataloging information on Baseball Memorabilia. Researching his own personal collection, and helping others find information on their collectibles, the website grew into the largest online resource for baseball memorabilia
 

   Ask Steven: Direct your questions or feedback, about Baseball Memorabilia to Steven KeyMan Steve@keymancollectibles.com You can also Send KeyMan pictures of your personal Memorabilia Display, and get your own Free  Collectors Showcase Room featured on the website..   
 
    In the earliest days of baseball it was the responsibility of each club to have its own appointed scorer, who fully understood every point of the game. A person of sufficient power of observation to note down correctly the details of every innings of the game. A sample of a printed form of a score-book that was general adopted by clubs at the time appeared in the 1862 issue f the "Dime Base-Ball Player" with the following instructions:

1862 score book "It will be observed that each player is numbered on the score, from one to nine, and his position, in this respect, and also in reference to that he holds in the field, remains unchanged on the book throughout the game, no matter how many times his position is changed as a fielder. Therefore, instead of writing the name of the player we wish to designate, we simply use the figure that precedes his name.

In order to record the movements of each player during the game, a series of abbreviations are adopted, those we use in scoring being as follows:"
 
 
 A for first base.
 B for second base.
 C for third base.
 H for home base.
 F for catch on the fly
D  for catch on the bound.
L for foul balls.
T for tips.
K for struke out.
R for run out between bases.
Double letters - HR or hr, for home runs.
LF for foul ball on the bound.
LD for foul ball on the bound.
TF for foul tip on the fly.
TD for foul tip on the bound.
 
 
  SPALDING'S SCORE BOOK 
  1889 No. 2 Pocket Score Book  Spalding's new design Pocket and Club Score Books were first brought out in 1877. They were adapted for the spectator of ball games, who scores for his own amusement, as well as the official club scorer, who records the minutest detail.

By this new system, the art of scoring can be acquired in a single game. Full instructions, with the latest League rules, accompany each book. 
     
    Harry M. Steven founder HMS Inc., "Caterers To The Sporting World" is noted for inventing the scorecard and Hot Dog. In 1885 Stevens found himself without a job, as a result of a strike at a steel mill. He became a book salesman, and bored with his job, he decided to go the a ball game in Columbus, Ohio.

After discovering there was no way of identifying the players who were strangers to him, he sought out the club owner after the game and bought the rights to put out a program.

 Stevens was soon selling his scorecards at the Columbus ballpark. wearing a distinctive red coat and top hat as he yelled his sales pitch: “You can’t tell the players without a scorecard!” The scorecard he came up with included an illustration on its front cover and an advertisement on the back. Inside had a list of the names and positions of the players, along with room to takes notes or keep score.

The 1912 Ratsch Peerless Official Rule, Score and Baseball book catalog featured a complimentary scorecard. It tells a story that played out at the opening game of Ty Cobb's famous trip to Cuba in 1910.....

HE PLAYED TY COBB SAFE - Before Cobb's Arrival in Cuba, the Cuban players had been fed yarns concerning him which told of his wonderful speed. It was said that he was impossible to catch when stealing a base, and some of the more impressionable on the native team conceived the idea that Tyrus had legs like a fawn and such things.

When at length Ty got on first in the opening game the Cuban players and spectators watched him with awe. Suddenly, he started to steal second. The catcher had the ball. Instead of throwing it he hung on grimly to the sphere and Tyrus sailed around the bags, stopping at third. Later Cobb scored, and he asked the backstop why he hadn't thrown the pill. Said the backstop: "I knew it was impossible to catch you on the bases so I held it to keep you from stealing home"

  Baseball-themed fans were the fad during the early 20th century. Many were produced as advertising premiums given away by various businesses with their ad on the back. This dual purpose fan keeps the baseball-fan cool while keeping score of the game. The front includes two blank score sheets, home team on the left, visiting team on the right.

 The top of this circa 1910 die-cut baseball diamond shape fan features sepia portraits of sixteen top players or managers in the game. One from each of the sixteen Major League clubs. Six hall of famers include; Bresnahan, Clarke (misspelled "Clark" on the fan), Chance, Griffith, Lajoie and Wallace. In the center is an image of a woman spectator wearing a hat.

Most if not all the major sporting good manufacturers sold score books, and some sold single game scorecards too. This Goldsmith score card was printed as an advertising premium distributed to sporting good stores that carried Goldsmith products.

The empty space at the bottom of the front, was reserved for the proprietor to print business information. As Stated on the inside scorecard portion; "These scorecards can be had free of charge from your Sporting Goods dealer or from makers of The Goldsmith Guaranteed Trade Mark Sporting Goods, on receipt of two cent stamp to pat postage."

  Most teams used the Victory "V" or Victory V Eagle design during the war years from around 1942-1945. More than just a baseball program, wartime scorecards document American history. A constant reminder to "Buy United States War bonds and stamps" printed throughout. Reminding people to save cooking fats for the war effort, (I believe to make nitro.) They even supply emergency ballpark air raid evacuation plans.

 Featured inside a 1942 NY Yankees scorecard, Mayor La Guardia provides a system of safety for patrons attending the games. It goes on to state: "This park is not bombproof but as safe as elsewhere. If opposite your seat you find the label "SIT TIGHT" you will be expected to do just that during an air raid....."

"....If the label should read FOLLOW GREEN ARROW, or FOLLOW RED ARROW you will e expected to comply with these instructions. If seated in the bleachers follow painted directional lines to exit. If an alert is sounded walk to place of safety. Don't run or shout. Obey the air raid wardens. PLAY YOUR PART IN THE DEFENCE GAME. Please comply with these instructions. They are intended for your protection."

 
Most wartime (WWII) Minor & Negro League baseball teams from about 1943-1945, used this patriotic cover for their scorecards. The great red White and blue artwork done by the artist Valentine, features Uncle Sam swinging a bat, wearing a U.S. cap, star-spangled vest, and red striped pants. The red portion at the bottom featured an American Flag on the left, the .10 cents price on a baseball to the right, centered by the name of the team using the program.

This 1945 Score Book was used by the "Lucky" Portland BEAVERS, a Double-A team of the Pacific Coast League.
 
     
    The marketing power of a scorecard has no limits. This matchbook Cover features a Scorecard on the back panel. At the top of the scorecard are lines to fill in the Batteries (pitcher & Catcher) for both teams, followed by a line score, Runs, Hits, and Error Totals. The front panel advertisement is for Frontenac Tavern, located at 11 Railroad Street Willmantic, Conn. "Both Services For Ladies & Gents." A pencil to keep score & phone numbers.  
     
    This is a 1987 Budweiser Play-off/Series Scorecard promotion, endorsed by Mickey Mantle. The scorecard was made to keep score of the Play-offs, and World Series at home. They were made available free through participating stores that carried Budweiser Anheuser Busch beer. The free scorecards were inserted in the "Take One and Score" box, on the 1987 Budweiser die-cut, counter top displays. 

The inside of the single-fold scorecard features an Image of "Hall Of Fame" Mickey Mantle, a Mickey Mantle trivia quiz, "How to Keep Score" instructions, a crossword puzzle and World Series records. The back of the scorecard has a "This Bud's for you" advertisement.
 
 
 
 
 
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