This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/29/2010
The Baltimore Chop was a hitting technique used by batters during Major League Baseball's dead-ball era. Popularized by and named after the original Baltimore Orioles, the batter would intentionally hit the ball downward to the hard ground in front of home plate, resulting in a high bounce which allowed the batter to reach first base safely before the opposing team could field it.
To give the ball the maximum bounce, Baltimore groundskeeper Tom Murphy not only packed the dirt tightly around home plate, but mixed it with hard clay. Speedy Orioles players like John McGraw, Joe Kelley, Steve Brodie, and Wee Willie Keeler — who once legged out a double off a Baltimore chop — were the practitioners and perfectors of the hit.
This little folk art style bat measures 20.5" and has the early turn of the century style mushroom type knob. It is painted green and painted on the barrel "Baltimore Chop Wee Willie 1895" in yellow and red. It appears to be vintage paint having been done long ago but we have no idea as to who made it, when it was made or distribution. More than likely done up by a fan at the time at home or in his work shop. Either way, an interesting and early piece.
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