History of Baseball in America: From Sandlots to Stadiums

Did you know that a French manuscript from 1344 has the first reference to baseball?

Baseball, the “America’s Pastime,” is one of the most popular games. However, are you appropriately aware of the rich history of baseball in America?

From my perspective, no other sport has such a history that is so much associated with political movements and even war.

Officially, Baseball traces its roots back to the 1800s in the United States. It started as a simple pastime, with players using a ball and a stick. Over time, it evolved into a well-organized and enduring tradition.

From the beginning, the popularity of this game was never downward. It raised legendary teams like the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. Also, heroic players like Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson made indelible marks on the sport. And today, these players’ quotes are considered philosophy.

However, baseball is not only an American icon but also a global passion. And it’s living in the hearts of millions.

If you are into baseball and trying to get your kids into baseball, check out our list of best baseball bats for kids.

Origin of Baseball

If we look back at the origin of the history of baseball, it will be pretty tricky to get the exact information. It’s because many references mention a game with a name that is similar to Baseball.

We can trace the origin of Baseball back to 1744 when John Newbery mentioned it in a children’s book. In this early version of the game, the bases were marked by posts, not bags like today.

There are many references to the bat-and-ball games with bases in history. Prince of Wales played “Bass ball” in 1749, and American soldiers played “base” at Valley Forge in 1778.

The game evolved, with accounts of baseball clubs forming in the early 19th century. The Boy’s Own Book (1828) described a game called “rounders.” And it was the same with modern baseball.

Rounders also introduced a diamond-shaped field, bases, and rules similar to today’s game. Still, it had some differences, like fielders putting out runners by hitting them with the ball.

However, after being mentioned in many references, the term “baseball” began to be common in America in the 1830s.

Early Days of Baseball

In 1845, Alexander Cartwright made baseball rules in New York City. He changed the game by using a hard ball and tagging runners instead of hitting them.

Somehow, people liked these rules. In New York City, teams started playing with these rules. But in Boston, they kept playing the old way with softball. Philadelphia only changed its rules in 1860. Before then, they also continued to play in the older rules.

In the time of the Civil War, soldiers from New York and New Jersey brought a new version of baseball. When the war was over, the New York way became more popular.

They also introduced a new way to hold the baseball bat. In 1854, they made rules for the ball’s size and the field. We also have a guide for holding the baseball bat.

Those rules haven’t changed much till now. After 3 years, they formed a new group, the National Association of Baseball Players. This group was associated with New York clubs.

More clubs started in Washington, Lowell, Allegheny, and Hartford. Baseball spread to places like Maine, Kentucky, and Oregon. It was becoming a popular game. In 1865, many teams met to confirm the rules and that they were amateur teams.

The First Baseball League

The first baseball league in the United States was the National League, founded in 1876. In 1881, the American Association formed as a rival league.

This league included teams that were not in the National League and some expelled ones. Trouble arose when the National League tried to limit player salaries. This problem led to the formation of the Players’ League in 1890. But ultimately, their effort was a failure.

However, in 1891, the American Association merged with the National League. They created a monopoly in baseball that lasted until 1899. By 1900, the National League had eight teams in total. It was the same until 1953 when the Boston Braves moved to Milwaukee.

Another significant development came in 1901. It was the incident when the Western League became the American League. It resulted in a fierce competition with the National League.

This competition led to the first World Series in 1903, except for a break in 1904. It also established rules for player transfers.

Also, it was the time, when the baseball bat was developed. People also noticed the differences between baseball and softball bats.

Baseball underwent a shift from the “dead-ball era” to the “live-ball era” in 1920. The transformation emphasized hitting and home runs. That’s the way this game changed significantly.

The Golden Age of Baseball

The Golden Age of Baseball started in the 1920s. It was a time when baseball became popular in the United States. A player named Babe Ruth, a big guy with a big personality, was a hero. He made hitting home runs exciting, and that made fans love the game even more. People used to play a different kind of baseball as it became popular. They focused more on small plays, like bunts and sacrifices.

But Babe Ruth changed the baseball style by hitting home runs. And it was an unforgettable movement of Baseball. Even when the Great Depression hit in the 1930s, baseball stayed popular. Players started to introduce new things like the All-Star Game. The best players of that together brought this gameplay for an exhibition.

Also, they started to broadcast games on the radio at that time. This edition of the game brought more fans to the stadiums. Night baseball, games played after dark, also became a thing, making it easier for people to watch. It became even more popular after World War II.

So, the Golden Age of Baseball was a time of big heroes and big changes in the game. Baby Ruth is the most significant person who started at this age.

The Post-war Age of Baseball

The years after World War II saw major changes in baseball. More people came to watch games, and the minor leagues grew.

In 1947, baseball became more inclusive by letting African-American players join. At that time, players demanded better pay and conditions. So they formed a group called the American Baseball Guild in 1946.

Even though it didn’t win legal battles, it made the league change some rules. Before the 1947 season, they made sure that players earned at least $5,000. They also ensured that players didn’t have their salaries cut if they moved to the minor leagues. Players also got $25 a week for spring training.

Besides, there was a limit on how much their salaries could be cut each year. The new commissioner, Happy Chandler, worked a lot for the players. He helped secure a pension fund with money from broadcasting rights. All these efforts improved players’ financial security.

Over time, people like Ford Frick, Bowie Kuhn, and Bud Selig became commissioners. They also brought greater changes in the game as the country started to be at peace after the war was over.

1980’s Baseball Hype

In the 1980s, baseball saw big changes. This was the time when this game started to become a hype of America. Players had more freedom to choose teams, and they got better at training.

TV made games more popular, and sponsors took part in the games for brand marketing. But there were problems, like strikes and cheating with steroids.

Even with issues, more people came to watch games. In 1993, lots of fans filled stadiums. But in 1994, a strike hurt baseball. By 2005, things got a little better. From 2009 to 2017, attendance was around 30,000, but it dropped in 2018 and 2019.

Still, baseball made more money from TV, hitting $10.3 billion in 2018. Time goes on, but the popularity of baseball doesn’t fall. Indeed, it grows higher every year.

Wrapping Up

In the history of baseball in America, things changed a lot. From 1830 to 1980, there was excitement and challenges in all the ages.

There was a time when people played with a ball and a stick. Over time, rules developed. In 1845, Alexander Cartwright made important rules.

Baseball became organized more and at the time, gained more popularity. Teams like the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox became famous.

Baseball’s history is full of famous players like Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson. Today, it’s a beloved sport in America and worldwide.