Baseball: Past, Present, and Future of America's Favorite Pastime
by 3 people |
Ranked #4,137 in Sports, #96,697 overall
Baseball: From America and Beyond, Baseball and It's Rich History Shows No Signs of Slowing Down
Baseball is no doubt America's favorite pastime, and quickly becoming a favorite pastime for much of the world. As more and more countries are starting to enjoy the benefits of baseball, the trend continues to grow in the USA, and there doesn't seem to be a slow down in sight!
We all can be apart of it in someway, whether through playing baseball, or just becoming a spectator in the sport and supporting one's favorite team. This lens will give you much more insight into the game, it's rich history, and it's current top performers!
Running the Bases Through the Early History of Baseball
Part One...
So where the heck did baseball begin? It's pretty much well known that baseball started in New York but little do some people know that the actual first recorded mention of baseball was in 1792 in Massachusetts, in a small town called Pittsfield where it was actually banned from playing within 80 yards of the town meeting hall.
Guess you can't go having the Mayor of Pittsfield getting whacked in the head by a baseball after all right?
That being said the first actual organized baseball club, or team if you will, was one called the NY Knickerbockers. This was the club that established many of the same rules that apply today, one very important one being the "no soak rule" which basically meant that you couldn't bean the base ball at the guy running the bases to get him out. Good rule, but I think that people would actually watch even more if that rule had never been established.
Unfortunately, the Knickerbockers weren't good enough because they actually got their butts kicked by "The New York Nine" in the first organized game between two ball clubs. This game was played in good ole' Hoboken NJ, a town famous for another one of America's fine icons, Frank Sinatra. In a funny turn of events, one has to wonder how many guys good ole' Frankie had whacked by baseball bats in his heyday.
Guess you can't go having the Mayor of Pittsfield getting whacked in the head by a baseball after all right?
That being said the first actual organized baseball club, or team if you will, was one called the NY Knickerbockers. This was the club that established many of the same rules that apply today, one very important one being the "no soak rule" which basically meant that you couldn't bean the base ball at the guy running the bases to get him out. Good rule, but I think that people would actually watch even more if that rule had never been established.
Unfortunately, the Knickerbockers weren't good enough because they actually got their butts kicked by "The New York Nine" in the first organized game between two ball clubs. This game was played in good ole' Hoboken NJ, a town famous for another one of America's fine icons, Frank Sinatra. In a funny turn of events, one has to wonder how many guys good ole' Frankie had whacked by baseball bats in his heyday.
Up To the Hour Baseball News
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byRunning the Bases Through the Early History of Baseball
Part Two
In 1857, 16 New York clubs came together and formed the first organization of baseball called the National Association of Base Ball Players, or the NABBP. This organization governed the sport and set up a championship baseball game between the two most outstanding teams.
The NABBP was the first professional sports league period, and again was based around the New York Style of play, as opposed to being based more around the Massachusetts style played in Boston and throughout most of New England. There was another style as well in the Philadelphia area called "town ball".
The growth of the league was definitely helped by the end of the Civil War, where membership grew to nearly 100 clubs in 1865, with 400 clubs as members by 1867. By this time, club membership had gone as far West as San Francisco even. Pretty impressive for a two year timetable!
At this time the organization was essentially an amateur organization with no baseball players being openly compensated (though some were, secretly). This kept pace until 1869, when clubs who wanted to pay their players were then free to do so, therefore declaring themselves a professional team.
By the end of 1869, twelve of the best teams had done so; and by 1871, because of problems between amateur and professional teams, a new organization called the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players was formed, with the NABBP pretty much disbanding within two years after.
Stay tuned for the next article that will cover the next phase in baseball history .
The NABBP was the first professional sports league period, and again was based around the New York Style of play, as opposed to being based more around the Massachusetts style played in Boston and throughout most of New England. There was another style as well in the Philadelphia area called "town ball".
The growth of the league was definitely helped by the end of the Civil War, where membership grew to nearly 100 clubs in 1865, with 400 clubs as members by 1867. By this time, club membership had gone as far West as San Francisco even. Pretty impressive for a two year timetable!
At this time the organization was essentially an amateur organization with no baseball players being openly compensated (though some were, secretly). This kept pace until 1869, when clubs who wanted to pay their players were then free to do so, therefore declaring themselves a professional team.
By the end of 1869, twelve of the best teams had done so; and by 1871, because of problems between amateur and professional teams, a new organization called the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players was formed, with the NABBP pretty much disbanding within two years after.
Stay tuned for the next article that will cover the next phase in baseball history .
Baseball Record Broken: Alex Rodriguez Youngest Ever to Hit 500 Homeruns~
As baseball's youngest to hit 500 homeruns, beating the record of Jimmie Foxx by 330 days, Alex Rodriguez at the age of 32 years and 8 days is at the pennacle of his career.
So then, will he beat the all time homerun record that Barry Bonds is about to set? Time will only tell, but according to coach Joe Torre, Rodriguez is definitely on track to hit and maybe beat that record.
As well, only two other players have hit 500 homeruns in fewer games, with Mark McGuire at 1,639 and Babe Ruth at 1,740. Pretty heavy duty for such a young guy of course.
So then, will he beat the all time homerun record that Barry Bonds is about to set? Time will only tell, but according to coach Joe Torre, Rodriguez is definitely on track to hit and maybe beat that record.
As well, only two other players have hit 500 homeruns in fewer games, with Mark McGuire at 1,639 and Babe Ruth at 1,740. Pretty heavy duty for such a young guy of course.
Which is Your Favorite Major League Baseball Team?
Since we were young baseball has been a huge part of our lives. Nearly every young boy at one point wishes he could play Major League Baseball on his favorite team.
So now you get to answer the question, what's your favorite MLB Team ?
Loading poll. Please Wait...
Explore related pages
MLB Golf Gifts- Find the perfect golf gift for that Major League Baseball fan in your life. Whet...
The Best Baseball Player Ever- The definitive list, to find the world's best baseball player ever - deceased or...
Follow The New York Yankees- "I'd like to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee." -Joe DiMaggi...
L.A. Dodgers Store- I looked far and wide and found the best Dodgers items on the web! If there is s...
Is your Favorite Chicago Baseball Team - Cubs or White Sox- I like them both Chicago is a city divided on their baseball teams. Whether you...
World Series Tickets- Need tickets to the 2008 World Series? You're in the right place!
