This day in baseball: The pitching machine
Posted: December 15, 2014 Filed under: 19th Century, This day in baseball | Tags: Baseball, Baseball equipment, Charles E. Hinton, history, Princeton University, sports 2 CommentsThe first automated pitching machine was invented by Charles E. Hinton, a mathematics professor at Princeton University. On December 15, 1896, Hinton’s invention was made public through a demonstration at the university’s gymnasium. The machine represented a rifle, shooting pitches towards the batter.
Arch near the Princeton campus, erected 1896 (Princeton University)
I actually got drilled by a pitching machine at the batting cage at Doubleday Field; the machine was supposedly throwing curves, but this one never broke and nailed me square in the back. Must have missed the sign from the catcher.
It must have! That’s what happens when the pitcher doesn’t focus on what he’s doing, eh? Cooperstown is on my bucket list. I hope to make it happen soon!