Beadle's Dime Base-Ball Player, No. 18

This is The Dime Base-Ball Player for 1879, edited by Henry Chadwick, published by Beadle and Adams. The front matter includes an introduction contextualizing baseball as America's national pastime, comparing its democratic appeal to cricket in England. The guide contains the official rules and mechanics of baseball: nine players per side, scoring runs by touching bases, nine innings per match. Technical sections address field measurement (specifying distances like 127 feet 4 inches to second base), proper field management, pitcher strategy (explaining when to change pitchers and how to reposition fielders), and captaincy principles. Additional content comprises league averages from 1878, model games from the championship season, prize winners, and new instructional chapters on batting, fielding, and base running, plus a novel scoring system and metropolitan championship records.