英语听力：自然百科 美国棒球运动
时间：2014-04-29 07:12:51
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（单词翻译）
For generations, it’s been called “America’s national pastime”. Baseball has come to be seen as a defining part of the American culture, an enduring tie born from a diverse and sprawling1 young country. But the big business and athletic2 heroes that characterize the game today are far removed from its roots as “a gentleman’s pastime”.
Over the last few decades, diehard vintage baseball
enthusiasts3 have been resurrecting the grand old game and some of its pearliest forms. And while the trappings may seem familiar, it was a very different ball game.
“We are gonna take you back to a time today when Colorado was still a territory and baseball was a gentleman’s game.”
In the 1800s, gentlemen and women ballists would gather 9 to a team for a bitter friendly afternoon
rivalry4.
“Let’s play ball.”
“This is baseball, according rules that were played around 1860 to 1862. Balls being new to be cut on one bounce were an out. Because there were no gloves used at that time, not even the first baseman, nor the catcher. ”
The pitching was underhanded. And the striker or
batter5 could even call the pitches from the hurler, high or low.
“I will fine you, sir.”
On a good hit, the striker might wag it on base with an
ace6. Runners tended to shy away from stealing, and a gentleman will certainly never slide. Nor would he lose his boarding temper.
“Team members will actually find if they use bad language on the field, or they did not play as a gentleman would be expected to play.”
“For me, I enjoy the gentlemanly nature, what they are doing here. It’s good to be with the guys. We all play together. We all help one other. Nobody gets too competitive. And if they do the umpire will fine them.”
Not too long after the period
depicted7 by these vintage ballists, the game of baseball changed dramatically. Gloves were introduced, the rules refined, and although the game remained a
leisurely8 pursuit, the first professional team arrived in 1869 with the Cincinnati Red Stockings, but the
innocence9 and tradition still live on with vintage baseball teams.
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