Large field stadiums and countless field home runs are the famous representations and symbols of one of the most popular sports in all of history: baseball. What a lot of people, fans included, don’t know about this sport is the history that made it just so enticing when it began growing traction. In the early 19th century, small towns began forming teams and appointing potential players who harbored immense skill. The father of this sport, Alexander Cartwright, created a formalized rule by which the teams can play and it seems as if the rest became history. Delegates formed the first official baseball league, most notably titled “National Association of Baseball Players”, and the future looked bright as people began to notice and pay to come watch these games. During the civil war, there was a dip in games due to hardships. However, that didn’t totally block the sports inevitable spread of popularity. Union prisoners in the south were accredited to spreading the sport amongst themselves and guards which turned into a chain reaction. Some rules and regulations later, the sport regained the heart of the public in the roaring twenties and especially “hit the ground running” when Babe Ruth, one of the most successful pitchers in history obtained his legendary status when signing on with the Boston Red Sox for the first time in 1914. Furthermore, the sport had broken records when Jackie Robinson won the hearts of many for breaking the color barrier by joining the Brooklyn Dodgers. This change was controversial, but he quickly silenced his critics and shook up the notions about his talent, winning several awards throughout his career. One of these awards included the notable “Rookie of the Year” title.
The Inclusivity of Baseball Made it Attractive to Players and Fans Alike
Although initially slow to budge, after a number of years baseball grew tremendously over time as a result of the integration of all races, genders, creeds, and ethnicities. It became one of the most talked-about sports in America not only for the enjoyment of watching the players but also because those who were interested in playing only needed an open field and a minuscule financial investment to start gathering equipment. The addition of vendors, hot dogs, and the everlasting tradition of beer and socializing made this sport a regular pass time to unwind with friends.
Modern Day Baseball Conclusion
To this day, the sport remains commonplace and popular especially in cities such as Chicago, where there are trained professionals out on the field practicing and participating in competitive championships such as the World Series. It has also spread to many other countries all over the world, with many hosting their own leagues, such as for example Korea’s KBO 뉴스.
