Cricket, Baseball & Stoolball, so much in common, yet different

This is a light-hearted article that covers the origins, quirks, and unique, yet odd and charming traits that make them popular. Both games originated in England and moved to other countries through English immigrants and from then on the games evolved in different ways.

Read On to discover befuddling facts

A Tale of Two Siblings, Cricket & Baseball.

Once upon a time, in the mystical land of “Spots-Sylvania,” in a quaint English countryside, two siblings were born: Cricket and Baseball. Their parents, Bat and Ball, were overjoyed. Little did they know that these siblings would grow up to be the most eccentric & popular members of the society.

Cricket: The Tea-Sipping Gentleman's Game.

Cricket, with its posh British accent, emerged from the foggy meadows of England. It was class-based, like the Downton Abbey of sports—elegant, refined, and slightly obsessed with weather conditions. The first cricket match was probably played during a drizzle, with players sipping Earl Grey tea between overs.

The early cricketers wore top hats, and waistcoats, carried pocket watches, and debated the merits of cucumber sandwiches during lunch breaks. They’d pause mid-game to admire the daffodils and discuss the latest Jane Austen novel. “Wickets and wit,” they’d say, as they twirled their mustaches and adjusted their monocles.

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Baseball was brewing in the cauldron of American ingenuity.

Cricket’s Evolution: The Great Tea Rebellion

As Cricket grew up, it developed peculiar traditions. Matches lasted 3-6 days, during which players took breaks for afternoon tea, naps, and existential crises. The fielders wore white uniforms, which doubled as picnic blankets. The wickets were guarded by stoic batsmen who pondered life’s mysteries while waiting for the next delivery.

Timeless Test matches were played with no limitation of time. It meant that the match was played until one side won or the match was tied, with theoretically no possibility of a draw. These games were played to eliminate the possibility of a draw and it also helped negate the effects of rain and bad light. The first timeless Test was played between Australia and England in 1876-77 and the last timeless Test was played between South Africa and England at Durban in 1939. Did you know that international test matches have been played over three to 6 days, ranging from 3, 4, 5 & 6 days?

TIMELESS MATCH & 8 BALL OVERS - Test of Endurance or Skills?

After 10 days in 1939, the 271st Test [From March 3 to March 14] between England and South Africa was decided to be a DRAW with both teams in mutual agreement. The English team had to catch a train that night at Cape Town to reach Durban and sail back home in 3 days. The test was played over 10 days, with 2 rest days in between and another 'no-play' day.

Imagine if they did not have a train to catch! It's anybody's guess how long it could have gone. Would we have sat for so long to watch? This test also was ranked for the longest test played without a result and also gained the reputation that 'they ran out of time'!

Thank God, No other timeless test was played after this.

Cricket commentators spoke in riddles, using phrases like "duck", “googly,” “leg before wicket,” “silly mid-off", "on-off", "no ball", and "deep cover". What, why did the field have to be in "deep cover"? Did you know why SILLY & LONG were used? These were used to describe the fact that fielders fielding close to the bat could get hit. Rather silly, don't you think? Go figure! LONG, on the other hand, was used to describe fielder positions closer to the boundary of the fence. The game became an elaborate dance, with bowlers pirouetting like ballet dancers or running in from a distance and fielders executing synchronized moves. Occasionally, a seagull would join the field demanding a spot of crumpet or a flock of pigeons would claim parts of the field for themselves.

Baseball’s Journey: From Moonshine to Seventh-Inning Stretch

Baseball, ever the rebel, ditched the monocles and embraced blue jeans and baggy trousers. It invented the seventh-inning stretch. A former US president W H Taft, stood up to stretch himself and from then on the 'seventh innings' became a relief break. Baseball stadiums had hot dog stands, beer vendors, apple pies, and peanuts and drinks. Early baseball was a variant of bat-and-ball, that involved hitting, fielding, and sometimes base running, although the rules were few and flexible. A pretty 'Pocket Book' is frequently referred to. Really, Pretty? This pretty 'Pocket Book' is where the word Baseball appears first.

It's also said that Baseball is sometimes called the timeless game, in the context of the fact that, unlike other sports, there is no game clock. The teams keep playing until there's a winner. Theoretically, a game could go on forever. On average today, Major League Baseball [MLB] games have been around 180 minutes.

Its birthplace was a dusty field, originally played in Manhattan's open lots or parklands, surrounded by peanut vendors and hot dogs. Batters swung for the fences, hoping to hit a home run or at least knock over the mascot. Pitchers threw curveballs, sliders, and the occasional “knuckle sandwich.” The outfielders chased after balls like squirrels chasing acorns, occasionally colliding and dusting themselves up with a grin.

STOOLBALL

A relatively distant not-widely known cousin, called stoolball was played in England. It was termed as "Cricket in the air", played by milkmaids, who used their stools as a wicket. Stoolball originated in Sussex, played by both men and women of all ages. Some folks also argue that this is where cricket and later baseball came from.

Nowadays, Cricket and Baseball are both played at high-level stakes at the World Series. It's anybody's guess, how these games will evolve. Obviously, more entertaining, with high-tech gloss and shorter durations.

These two cousins never thought that they would be cherished, and followed. With both Cricket & Baseball sipping tea and chugging beer, they reminisce about their eccentric upbringing, comparing notes on weather delays, odd terminology, and the joys of admiring spectators.

As the sun sets over the stadium, Cricket raises its cup and says, “To monocles and googlies!” Baseball clinks its beer bottle and replies, “And to hot dogs and knuckleballs!” And for a brief moment, these quirky cousins share a laugh, while Stoolball hovers in the background, un-noticed.

Just like in human life, sports siblings are not all alike ;-)

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