By Trevor Roughan
Tradition is everything in baseball. MLB and its franchises take great pride in the game’s customs, upholding many that span more than a century. Everything from uniform and stadium design to unwritten rules and ballpark food is inspired by the past. With that being said, most organizations have failed to keep up with an article in the MLB rulebook that predates much of the sport’s tradition.
“THE PLAYING FIELD: It is desirable that the line from home base through the pitcher’s plate to second base shall run East Northeast.”
If adhering to this condition was a test, most franchises, especially in the National League, would fail spectacularly. Only the Miami Marlins have constructed their stadium in accordance with this “rule” that few follow and none enforce.
If it wasn’t clear by the use of “pitcher’s plate” as terminology, this “rule” is old. So old, in fact, it only exists to limit the number of games canceled due to darkness. Again, this is a very old rule. Since the widespread implementation of floodlights in MLB stadiums, rule 1. 04 has been meaningless, and treated as such by all parties. Obviously, we no longer need to rely on the sun’s presence to play ball.
There are numerous other reasons why most MLB organizations don’t abide by the “rule” present day. Some ballparks tend to be oriented southward to minimize the effects of wind, and local geography can impact stadium positioning too. If teams like the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates followed rule 1. 04 to a tee, then each National League ballpark would lose much of its aesthetic and beauty. Can you imagine a stadium in St. Louis without the Arches as a backdrop? Neither can I.
Most diehard baseball fans don’t know of rule 1. 04, and neither does MLB, seemingly. Thank goodness because American ballparks are much better for it.
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