(GARY) BELSKY (AND NEIL FINE), ON THE ORIGINS OF SPORTS — [W]hat is now a home run was at first a foul. ... [T]he regular playing area — ... in Hoboken, New Jersey — abutted the Hudson River. When balls were hit out of bounds, they landed in the water. ..., so irretrievable shots were discouraged.
That's right, what is now a home run was at first a foul. The reason is purely situational: the regular playing area — Elysian Fields, located in Hoboken, New Jersey — abutted the Hudson River. When balls were hit out of bounds, they landed in the water. Balls were expensive, so irretrievable shots were discouraged.
| A. | First member of a certain "700 Club" (2 wds.) | BABERUTH |
| B. | Pitcher with a big mouth | EWER |
| C. | Tread heavily; building supply | LUMBER |
| D. | Mood-altering neurotransmitter | SEROTONIN |
| E. | Garments with some give | KNITWEAR |
| F. | 30 things between bases | YARDS |
| G. | Like a goon or yahoo | OAFISH |
| H. | ____ Island (former name of Long Island) | NASSAU |
| I. | Tool for digging in the dirt | TROWEL |
| J. | Speedy delivery from "the hill" | HEATER |
| K. | Hour at which the end is near | ELEVENTH |
| L. | Party to a labor contract | OWNER |
| M. | Showing a lack of polish (hyph.) | ROUGHHEWN |
| N. | Saluting the flag, e.g., to Jehovah's Witnesses | IDOLATRY |
| O. | Take the lead (2 wds.) | GOAHEAD |
| P. | "Field of Dreams" locale | IOWA |
| Q. | Traditionally vegetarian fighter | NINJA |
| R. | Rows of stitches | SUTURES |
| S. | How to throw a javelin | OVERHAND |
| T. | Task for a Labrador or Newfie | FETCHING |
| U. | Evidencing physical exertion | SWEATY |
| V. | Major-league affiliate of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs | PHILLIES |
| W. | Went in a circle around | ORBITED |
| X. | Intensify, as efforts | REDOUBLE |
| Y. | Act of stealing | THEFT |
| Z. | Sign of carpenter ants, seemingly | SAWDUST |