Semiprofessional baseball started in the United States in the 1860s; in 1869, the first fully professional baseball club, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, was formed and went undefeated against a schedule of semipro and amateur teams. By the following decade, American newspapers were referring to baseball as the "National Pastime" or "National Game." The first "major league" was the National Association, which lasted from 1871 to 1875. The National League, which still exists today, was founded in 1876. Several other major leagues formed and failed, but the American League, established in 1901 as a major league and originating from the minor Western League (1893), succeeded. While the two leagues were rivals who actively fought for the best players, often disregarding one another's contracts and engaging in bitter legal disputes, a modicum of peace was established in 1903, and the World Series was inaugurated that fall. The next year, however, the National League champion New York Giants did not participate as their manager, John McGraw, refused to recognize the major league status of the American League and its champion, the Boston Americans. The following year, McGraw relented and the Giants played the Philadelphia Athletics in the World Series.

There are times when the old pros could use a list of terms used in baseball as much as the newcomers, so if you're trying to remember or just learning, Click Here for baseball terminology!

Career Leaders for Home Runs: Click Here!






Baseball Equipment on Sale

The shape and size of a glove is described by its "pattern." Modern gloves have become quite specialized, with position-specific patterns:

Catcher's mitts are called "mitts" because they lack individual fingers, like mittens. They have extra padding and a hinged, claw-like shape that helps them to catch 90-mile-per-hour fastballs, and provide a good target for pitchers to throw at. If required to catch a knuckleball, a catcher will typically use an even larger mitt. Catcher's mitts' sizes, unlike other gloves', are measured around the circumference, and they typically have 32- to 34-inch patterns.

First baseman's mitts also lack individual fingers. They are generally very long and wide to help them with scooping badly thrown balls from infielders. These mitts usually have 12.5- to 13-inch patterns, measured from wrist to the tip. Note that, because first basemen are often left-handed, first baseman's mitts are readily available in right-handed versions.

Infielder's gloves other than the first baseman's tend to be smaller, to allow the fielders to easily remove the ball from their glove to make a quick throw to a base. Infielder's gloves typically have 11- to 12-inch patterns, measured from wrist to the tip.

Pitcher's gloves usually have a closed, opaque webbing to allow them to conceal their grip on the ball---which determines the behavior of the pitch---from the batter.

Outfield gloves are usually quite long, to help with both catching fly balls on the run or in a dive and so outfielders do not have to bend down as far to field a ground ball. These gloves typically have 12- to 13-inch patterns, measured from wrist to the tip.

Major League Baseball Tickets - Sports Tickets to America's Pastime Major League Baseball tickets are a time-honored tradition woven into the very fabric of American culture. No sports tickets have been on the market longer than Major League tickets, and fathers and sons alike across several generations can tell stories of memorable experiences they've had at the ballpark.

Major League Tickets - League History
Baseball entered the sports tickets market in the late 19 th Century, and over the generations, several heroes and dynasties have come to the forefront of the sport. Names like Ruth, Mays, Aaron and Ripken are familiar to any sports fan, and teams like the Cardinals, Yankees and Red Sox inspire either admiration or loathing in any baseball fan. If you've never seen a game live, you're missing out on true Americana.

Decorate your game room with sports memorabilia and photos from your FAVORITE PLAYER or TEAM!

Topps says that there are several short printed base cards featured in 2007 Allen & Ginter Baseball. They are seeded 1:2 packs. Following is a list of the "short prints":

5 Stephen Drew, Arizona Diamondbacks SS
43 Scott Rolen, St. Louis Cardinals 3B
48 Gary Matthews, Angels OF
58 Mike Mussina, New York Yankees P
63 Bengie Molina, San Francisco Giants C
107 Jason Varitek, Boston Red Sox C
110 Michael Young, Texas Rangers SS
119 Hunter Pence, Houston Astros OF
130 Jason Schmidt, Los Angeles Dodgers P
137 Jason Isringhausen, St. Louis Cardinals P
152 Carlos Lee, Houston Astros OF
159 Michael Barrett, Chicago Cubs C
178 Juan Pierre, Los Angeles Dodgers OF
193 Rich Hill, Chicago Cubs P
194 Francisco Cordero, Milwaukee Brewers P
203 Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers P
219 Dan Uggla, Florida Marlins 2B
222 Rocco Baldelli, Tampa Bay Devil Rays OF
224 Josh Bard, San Diego Padres C
243 Brad Hawpe, Colorado Rockies OF
263 Jim Edmonds, St. Louis Cardinals OF
301 Chris Duncan, St. Louis Cardinals OF
302 Augie Garrido, Champion Baseball Coach
303 Tyler Clippard, New York Yankees P
306 Morgan Ensberg, Houston Astros 3B
307 J.J. Hardy, Milwaukee Brewers SS
308 Mark Zupan, U.S. Quadriplegic Rugby Captain
309 Laila Ali, Boxing Champion
310 Greg Maddux, San Diego Padres P
316 Dan O'Brien, Decathlon Champion
317 Michael Bourn, Philadelphia Phillies OF
318 Jonny Gomes, Tampa Bay Devil Rays OF
319 Ken Jennings, Jeopardy! Champion
320 Barry Bonds, San Francisco Giants OF
321 Gary Hall Jr., Swimming Champion
322 Kerri Walsh, Beach Volleyball Champion
325 Grady Sizemore, Cleveland Indians OF
326 Alex Rios, Toronto Blue Jays OF
327 Ted Toles, Pittsburgh Crawfords Pitcher & Outfielder
330 Bob Geren, Oakland Athletics OF
331 Dennis Rodman, Basketball Champion
334 Gustavo Molina, Chicago White Sox C
335 Bartolo Colon, Angels P
336 Misty May-Treanor, Beach Volleyball Champion
339 Jason McElwain, Greece Athena Trojans Manager & Player
340 Placido Polanco, Detroit Tigers 2B
345 Sammy Sosa, Texas Rangers DH
348 Roger Clemens, New York Yankees P
349 Jesse Litsch, Toronto Blue Jays P
350 Adam LaRoche, Pittsburgh Pirates 1B

Know your dealer when buying baseball cards by the box or by the pk. That's probably the best advice that I can give you.

Have you bought numorous boxes of cards without ever finding any key cards?

It's very possible that all of the boxes or pks. with key cards are already gone before they ever make it to the store shelves.

It has been found that employees at some stores, weigh the boxes and single pks. before putting them out for sale. Most boxes or pks. weigh the same, but boxes or pks. with special cards usually weigh slightly more. So, by weighing them, the employees can buy the boxes and pks. that have the good cards themselves.

This doesn't happen at every store, but if you're tired of buying cards and never finding any of the key cards, you might try changing to another supplier.

For price guides and cards try Becketts!

Want to become an expert on collecting sports cards? This book will go a long way in helping you become that "expert"!

Instant Expert Collecting Baseball and Other Sports Cards $14.95

Instant Expert Collecting Baseball and Other Sports Cards Americas' number 1 sports card authority, Dr. James Beckett, presents an easy-to-use guide to building, buying, and selling collections of baseball, football, basketball, and other sports cards. Card collectors will find Expert advice on buying and selling techniques, Resources for buying at auctions, through mail order, and online, A history of sports cards, Analysis of market trends, Glossary, bibliography, and online resources Author James Beckett Studio Random House Information Group Format Book

P: Pitcher (Position "number" 1). While the primary role of a pitcher is to pitch the ball, he must also be able to field his position. This consists of fielding ground balls and bunts up the middle of the diamond, and covering any base if necessary. Good throwing speed is helpful, but not as important as accuracy, the spot in which you throw the ball. The pitcher must also be ready to catch the ball when it comes into the infield to stop the play.

C: Catcher (2). Wears protective equipment: mask, special helmet, shin guards, chest protector. Uses special glove designed as a padded target. He must catch, or at least block, all the pitches to prevent baserunners from advancing, in addition to preventing stolen bases with a strong throwing arm. He must also catch pop-ups into the foul territory behind the baseline, and tag out runners who are attempting to score, while blocking their access to home plate. A catcher must hustle to all balls that get past him, and be ready to jump up and get any slow rollers or bunts in front of home plate and throw to any base quickly.

1B: First Base (3). The first baseman's job, in addition to fielding balls hit in his direction, is primarily to catch throws from the other infielders (2B, 3B and SS) in order to retire the batter and prevent him from getting on base. When a runner is on first base, the first baseman should stand in his regular position, but in front of the runner, so as to not block his base path.

2B: Second Base (4). The second baseman has the important defensive role to field ground balls hit toward him and, if necessary, start a double play. When the ball is hit to the shortstop, the second baseman will help "turn" a double play by stepping on second base, fielding the throw from SS, and throwing to first base, to retire both the batter, and the runner on first. The second baseman should also back-up ground balls to the first baseman, and cover first in the event that a slow roller pulls the first baseman away from first base to make the play. Also, he must backup the shortstop on throws from the catcher on a steal. If a ball is hit into the outfield on the shortstop side of second base, he must cover second base. If the ball is hit on the second baseman side of second base, he must go out for the "relay" throw from the outfielder.

3B: Third Base (5). Third base is known as "The Hot Corner", since most right-handed hitters will tend to hit the ball hard in this direction. The third baseman must be able to field ground balls and throw strongly to any base, as well as cover fly balls in fair and foul territory.

SS: Shortstop (6). Shortstops, like the second baseman, must field ground balls and start or turn double plays. In addition, they need a stronger arm as the throw to first base is farther from the shortstop side. The shortstop will cover throws from the catcher to second base when a runner is stealing. Also, when a ball is hit into the outfield on the shortstop side of second base, he is to go out for the "relay" throw from the outfielder. If the ball is hit to the second baseman side of second base, he then must cover second base.

LF: Left Field (7), CF: Center Field (8), RF: Right Field (9). The role of the outfielders is to chase down and catch any ball hit into the outfield and, if necessary, make a rapid and accurate return throw, either to a base or to the "cut-off man", an infielder who has moved into a position specifically to make a relay throw. Outfielders should be fast, quick to the ball, and make good and quick throws into the infield.

See who's playing who in the minor leagues! To view the minor league schedule Click Here!



Click here for jewelry representing your favorite sport!

Babe Bows Out Print By Nat Fein $28.00

Nat Fein img: 23.75 x 19.75 paper: 24.50 x 20.25

A Baseball Rampage gift certificate makes a great gift for a birthday, holiday, or team gift for players or coaches. Baseball Rampage gift certificates are valid on any purchase made at Baseball Rampage retail stores or at www.baseballrampage.com. Gift certificates are valid for use for 2 years from purchase date. Delivered simply and quickly by email Makes a great gift! Can be used for 2 years from purchase date.

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If you've made it to the bottom of this page I feel complimented because it means that something on this lens has peaked your interest, and that's why I made it. So now I'll tell you a little about myself.

As I said in my profile, I enjoy collecting and since I retired I've found that building these lenses is a great way to stay busy; And, I hope that I'm helping some of you out by gathering information on your favorite subject and putting it all in one place so you don't have to spend hours searching for it.

I spend part of my time designing t-shirts and buttons to help supplement my social security because, as many of you know, it's pretty difficult to make it on social security. My on-line t-shirt shop is called Dene's Place after my wife.

My "retirement" came a few years earlier than I would have liked because they found that I have an inoperatable tumor about the size of a softball in my right pelvic area. They still don't know what to do about it because for now it has quit growing. One of those "leave it alone and see what happens" type things.

Anyway, if you've made it this far, I'd appreciate it if you would check out Dene's Place to see if there's anything that you might like for yourself or as a gift. It helps me pay the bills!

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to check out my other lenses when you have time.

Much of the information used here has been researched from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.

Easton Baseball Glove Black Magic BMX 1250B 12.5 Inch Glove $29.99

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Easton Black Magic Series gloves are versatile softball/baseball gloves for the competitive or recreational player. Black Magic gloves use the patent-pending Ideal Fit system. These ball gloves are made with lightweight game ready top grain steer hide and black dyed-thru genuine rawhide lace. 33 inch circumference transitional-sized catcher's mitt Extended palm with Ideal Fit modified open back 2x2 lacing - prevents blow outs and the need for relacing Moisture control finger stalls VRS palm pad for added protection

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