Over history America has changed. From its culture and weapons to its geography and foreign relations, nothing stays the same for long. As America changes, so does its pastime-baseball. If the pros were to walk into a game from the 1800s, they would be lost. Nearly every part of baseball has changed; the field, the equipment, the arrangement of the teams, the way people play the game, even the ball has been tweaked. The only thing that stays the same from decade to decade, century to century, is all that really matters. . . our country’s love for the game. One of the most visible changes, one you can see without even watching a game is the field. When baseball began home plate was a circle, then a square. The pentagonal plate we know today was not created until the 20th century. Originally, a batter (then called a “striker”) had to stand behind a line to bat, and they could move forward as they swung. The batter’s box wasn’t incorporated until 1874. Even foul lines weren’t required to be painted on the field until 1861. Even the area the pitchers stood was different. The pitcher’s “mound” began as 12 feet long, and was not placed on a mound until the 20th century. The length of the bases, and their positions were not regulated until the first official set of baseball rules in 1857. (Miklich) Night games were not played until 1887, because of the lack of easily accessible electricity and lighting. Wrigley Field (home of the Chicago Cubs) did not install lights until 1988. The equipment players use has also changed, making the game safer to play and more enjoyable to watch. In the early stages of baseball, very little equipment was used-there were no gloves and no helmets. The first time gloves were used was in the 1860s, logicall... ... middle of paper ... ...y would use it until the winding came undone, players had much fewer big hits and much lower scoring games. This time is often known as the “Dead Ball Era.” (Stamp) In 1910, the cork core was introduced, but there was still no regulations on what the inside of the ball would be made of. Finally, in 1934, the American League- “which favored live balls and big hitters”, and the National League- “known to use thicker, looser balls that favored the pitcher” came up with a standard ball. Neither the ball of the MLB, or the process used in making it, have changed much since then. (Stamp) The equipment, the leagues, the field, even the ball. Everything about baseball has changed, and will continue to change, making it safer and more enjoyable to watch. As baseball becomes more and more different than what it use to be, one thing remains...our country’s love for the game.
Baseball is an integral part of American pop culture. Many Americans grow up with baseball, playing it before they can even count all the bases. It is glorified, taught, and fed to us. When we play baseball, we find a respect for the game. The respect we gain from playing it has turned the game into a tradition of American culture. It has formed itself into the business of professional baseball, namely major league baseball. Professional players have become recognized all over the world. They are sought out and admired by fans. Because of their popularity, these players have written books, endorsed commercial products, and found successful and rewarding careers by playing a game. According to Wallup, author of Baseball: An Informal History, baseball has been apart of our culture since the mid to late nineteenth century(Wallup, p16). Our great grandparents, grandparents, and parents have been brought up with it and our parents teach the sport to us.
Baseball has been of the longest living sports in our world today. The game started with the idea of a stick and ball and now has become one of the most complex sports known in our society. Several rules and regulations have been added to help enhance the game for everyone. Although baseball has endured several issues during its history and development of the game the game has still been a success throughout the world.
The sport that began as a modified version of two more popular imported games had its great awakening during the Civil War. The sport had grown somewhat in popularity especially in northern industrial cities like Boston and New York. However, the rules of the game varied slightly depending on what city or region of the country you were in. In New York, the game resembled modern baseball while in other parts of the country baseball resembled cricket or rounders more so than the modern sport. The vast regional differences between what was considered baseball, cricket, or rounders exemplified the divides in the country. It was then, in the most divided time in the history of the union, that baseball was find the right conditions to unite. At the
Throughout the 1920's, sports grew rapidly and was also known as a transition period. Baseball was also known as Americas pass time. Sports had large amateur events that caught the eye of promoters who could see an opportunity to capitalize and make money. "The momentum these sports built up in the 1920's has ensured that these sports have endured in popularity to the present day."(Scott) Because of the great players of the 20's , many athletes are often compared back to the originals. The sport stars of this era remain well known today. Baseball was a huge part of the evolution of sports in the 20's between the Negro National League, the death of Ray chapman, Lou Gehrig, and one of the greatest baseball players known to man, Babe Ruth.
Abner Doubleday is the man that is responsible for the invention of modern day baseball. Alexander Cartwright formed and developed the rules for baseball in 1845, and went on to develop and manage the baseball clubs in New York. As we know today, the teams have spread throughout the entire U.S. to make up the 30 teams that are present in our MLB today. How has the baseball equipment and game changed from when it was first started to what it is today?
Baseball has been around for many years. It is one of the greatest sports of all time. It is very popular, people across the world play the sport. Baseball has been around longer than most of the sports that are around today. The MLB has been around for over one hundred years. There are a lot of rules and ways to get better at baseball. I hope you enjoy this essay on baseball and all about the game and the MLB.
Baseball dates back all the way to the late 1830's. It is thought to be originated from a game called rounders. Also, there is many
...rts of land so people could play. After that leagues were established and athletes started to be paid to play sports. This was a sad day for all the people who loved the game of baseball and all the tradition that surrounded it. Although players were getting salaries the tradition was still carried with the great sport of baseball.
...ve more Latin Americans playing and Americans playing. People from Asia are also playing in America. Baseball has become dominated by immigrants and other people from foreign countries. Baseball is going down in popularity. There are stats to prove it and studies that show the trend. Basketball and football are coming to be the major sports in America. They are becoming more popular to play and also more popular to watch on TV. More kids are playing baseball videogames, but less are playing real baseball. Baseball is my favorite sport. I like to watch baseball and play baseball with my friends. I don’t like the idea of baseball going down in popularity by forty percent over twenty years. Baseball needs someone to make it big again. It needs someone to play well, and not cheat. If someone doesn’t do anything, baseball will no longer be “America’s Pastime.”
Baseball originated before the civil war ( 1861-1865) also known as “rounders” A game that was played on sandlots. In 1871 the first pro baseball league was born. By the beginning of the 20th century, most of the larger cities had a professional baseball team. They were divided into 2 leagues, National, and american,
Baseball is America's pastime. It was one of the first sports to be played in the U.S. I think the if it wasn't for babe ruth baseball wouldn't be what it is today.
Since the late 1900s, professional baseball has evolved to become more than just a game. Back then, most baseball players were motivated by the love of the game. Today, both players and owners hope to reap the profits of what has become a multi-billion dollar global entertainment industry.
Baseball is considered to be “the national pastime” but it has always been perceived as a sport of integrity. “Baseball in America: A History” that Baseball originated before the American Civil War (1861-1865) as rounders, a humble game played on sandlots” (U.S. Department of State). The game was made to include the skills of cricket along with the mental judgment that helped make cricket a respectable game in England. Scoring and run-keeping allowed baseball to differ from other sports and helped people become interested. The first professional baseball team was created in 1871 and almost every major city had a professional baseball team by the early 20th century. Depending on where the team was from determined if they were a part of the American League or the National League. In a team’s regular season, they only play teams of the same league as them. At the end of each regular season, the team that has won the most games from each league wins the “...
Most people see baseball on television and say, “Man, that's a boring game. “ or “They all are standing around, doing the same thing.”, but there’s a lot that is going on. Baseball has three different categories you can classify players in. First is the batters, they are usually the other team if you’re team is on the field. Then there is the infield, they are the players on the bases including the pitcher and catcher. Lastly, the outfield, they do a lot of standing around but are the most important. Baseball has a lot more action and thought when it come down to the little details.
Henry Chadwick published an article in 1903 explaining how baseball came from rounders game popular in Britain. Believing that baseball is a US invention, Albert Spalding convinced Chadwick that they jointly appoint a commission of inquiry to establish the truth behind the origin of baseball. Abraham Mills headed the commission for three years and concluded that the Abner Doubleday, a Civil War hero, invented baseball. This conclusion, 15 years after Doubleday had died, anointed him as the father of baseball.