Fuller, Shortstop, St. Louis Browns, from the series Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

This photographic card, produced by Goodwin & Company, presents Fuller, a shortstop for the St. Louis Browns. The image captures him mid-game, his stance echoing the anticipation of action. Notice the baseball bat he holds. It is not just a piece of sporting equipment; it becomes a scepter of sorts, a symbol of power and skill in this arena. Across cultures, bat-like forms appear, from the ceremonial clubs of ancient civilizations to the staffs of religious figures, each signifying authority and control. The circular form of the baseball itself, caught in mid-air, also carries weight. Circular motifs, like mandalas or halos, recur throughout history, representing totality and the eternal. This simple ball, then, elevates the game to a level of symbolic play, tapping into a primal human fascination with spheres, and their endless possibilities, turning a simple ballgame into a timeless dance of skill and chance.