Did you know how they came up with the baseball plate? Vince Scully explains

History of Home Plate. Home plate, the pentagon-shaped base at the heart of baseball where batters stand and runners score, has a surprisingly makeshift origin story rooted in the game's informal beginnings in the 19th century. Baseball evolved from earlier bat-and-ball games like rounders and cricket, and its rules were formalized gradually. Here's a timeline of key developments, drawn from official MLB histories and rulebooks:Pre-1850s (Early Informal Games): In the game's precursor forms, "home base" (as it was first called) was often just a flat, circular marker—no more than 12 inches in diameter. It could be made of whatever was handy: a stone, a piece of wood, or even a buried dinner plate for visibility on dirt fields.

This is where the "plate" name likely originated, as "plate" referred to any flat, dish-like object. While professional leagues didn't explicitly mandate dinner plates, anecdotal evidence and folklore suggest they were used in casual or early organized play for their whiteness and durability—hence the enduring term "home plate" even after shapes changed.

1857 (Knickerbocker Rules): The first codified rules by the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club specified home base as a "white flat stone or plate" up to 12 inches across, still circular. Other bases were square bags or stakes.

Materials varied widely: wood, iron, or marble for better longevity on rough fields.
1869–1884: Home plate remained circular (about 12 inches in diameter) under National Association rules. Experimentation continued, with some plates made of cast iron or marble to withstand cleats and slides.

1885: The National League required home plates to be made of rubber or marble for consistency and safety, moving away from brittle materials like wood or potential dinner plates.

This was partly thanks to inventor Robert Keating, a former pitcher who patented a rubber version after his brief MLB stint.
1887–1899: It shifted to a square shape (16 inches per side, larger than the 15-inch squares of other bases) and was rotated 45 degrees into a diamond orientation, with one point facing the pitcher. This helped umpires better judge strikes but caused confusion with foul lines.

1900–Present: The modern pentagon shape (17 inches wide, with two 12-inch sides and an 8.5-inch back) was adopted to resolve foul-ball disputes and give umpires a clearer view.

It's now made of rubber, buried flush with the dirt, and remains the only non-square base—symbolizing the "heart" of the game where offense meets defense.

Scully's account in the clip is mostly accurate, though the "dinner plate" part is more legend than strict rulebook fact; it's supported by MLB's own explanations as a nod to the game's scrappy roots.

Today, home plate is iconic not just for scoring but for rituals like the batter digging in or the umpire's dramatic calls. If you're a fan, clips like this highlight why Scully is revered—he made baseball's quirks feel timeless.

For HOURS of fun – Steve Inman as well as other humor, quick smile clips , more – Whatfinger’s collection – https://choiceclips.whatfinger.com/category/just-interesting/
The News Variable Show of Whatfinger News, with Mal Antoni hosting... All controversial statements by Mr. Antoni are his own opinions. If you don't like them, don't watch. If you are one of those nut cases who watch just to complain, get a life or stick to fake news. We have no time for your BS. America needs patriots that just say it like it is. If you don't like it, too damn bad. Mr. Antoni is now the main editor over at Whatfinger News, the greatest aggregate news site out there - with more news and commentary daily than the next 7 competitors combined. Experience it once and you're hooked https://www.whatfinger.com/
------DISCLAIMER: This show contains opinions of the host and guests and is meant for education and/or entertainment purposes only. News Variable provides information and the sources where it was obtained. Viewer discretion is advised.

Email for any reason - [email protected] or check out our Whatfinger account on X - https://x.com/Whatfinger1
Is Ivermectin the Key to Fighting Cancer? People are being cured all over the world…. – Wellness (Dr. McCullough’s company) Sponsored Post 🛑 You can get MEBENDAZOLE and Ivermectin from Wellness 👍 https://choiceclips.whatfinger.com/2025/03/28/is-ivermectin-the-key-to-fighting-cancer-people-are-being-cured-all-over-the-world/
How can you move your 401K to Gold penalty free? Get the answer and more with Goldco’s exclusive Gold IRA Beginner’s Guide. Click here now! – Goldco Partner of Whatfinger News 👍 see https://www.gcjdjhs3e.com/4RQSJ1/4B269N/?sub1=textad

Be prepared for anything, including lockdowns with your own Emergency Med kit – see Wellness Emergency Kit (includes Ivermectin and other essential drugs, guide book, much more… peace of mind for you and your family) 🛑 – Dr. McCullough’s company! Sponsor see https://www.twc.health/products/emergency-preparedness-kit?ref=_R9sg_nqDYD_C