Baseball history
Baseball was believed to come from cricket in 19 century. And invented by Abner Doubleday. The rules were set by Lexander J. Cartwright in 1845. And these sports become popular in the 1860s During the Civil War.
Baseball is still known as America’s national pastime despite competition from other professional sports and the game’s evolution into more of an international sport.
The origins of baseball are centered in the northeastern United States. The first official game under modern rules was played at the Elysian Fields in Hoboken, New Jersey in 1846. The man who wrote the rules was Alexander Cartwright, who was part of the first official team, the New York Knickerbockers.
During the Civil War in the 1860s, baseball became an increasingly popular sport among Union soldiers. Baseball’s popularity grew after the Civil War. It attracted donors who wanted to sponsor teams.
In 1869, the Cincinnati Red Stockings became the first fully professional team. From there, more amateur teams turned pro. This was the beginning of what is now Major League Baseball.
Today, baseball is enjoyed by many Americans for many reasons.
Baseball impacted the social fabric of America in the mid-20th century. At a time when much of the United States was heavily segregated, Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947, playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers as the first African-American in the major leagues.
Many others followed, but the process moved slowly, with the final team - the Boston Red Sox - only integrating in 1959.
While several countries enjoy thriving baseball leagues, the international record for baseball is mixed. This year’s inaugural World Baseball Classic, which included Japan, China, South Korea, Australia and several Caribbean countries, was viewed by many as a success. However, the International Olympic Committee announced last year that it was dropping baseball from its list of sports after the 2008 Summer Games.