Baseball

Baseball’s origins are linked to bat-and-ball games such as rounders and cricket played in England. However, the modern game of baseball originated in the United States in the 1800s. The first recorded baseball game took place in 1846 in Hoboken, New Jersey. During the late 1800s, professional leagues were developed and the National League (formed in 1876) became the foundation of organized professional baseball.

The American League was formed in 1901 and the first World Series was held in 1903 marking the beginnings of Major League Baseball (MLB) as a unified entity. Baseball evolved into a national pastime, and was most popular during the early to mid-20th century.

The game of baseball is played by two teams with nine players each. The game is played on a diamond-shaped field with four bases. Each team is either playing offense (trying to score runs by hitting a pitched ball and running the bases), or defense (trying to get three outs to finish the offensive half of the inning

A typical game consists of nine innings in which each team has a chance to bat once in each inning. The team that has the most runs at the end of nine innings is declared the winner of the game. If the score is tied at the end of nine innings, the game continues until someone wins the game by playing additional innings, which are referred to as “extra innings.” 

The pitcher and batter are at the center of the event occurring on each play. Strategy is essential—when to take the pitcher out, when to shift the defense, and when to call for a bunt or steal are all choices for managers to make in conjunction with the game situation and scouting reports. 

Major League Baseball (MLB) is the highest level of professional baseball within North America, and consists of 30 teams (15 in American League and 15 in National League). Each of these teams plays a 162-game regular season, and then competes in a postseason tournament that leads up to the World Series. 

The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, and other franchises have developed fan bases for their teams that include generations of fans that become entrenched in their team’s history. Beyond team achievements, there have been historic players that have transcended baseball altogether. Legends such as Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, starkly contrast one another just as much as they are dominant players in the game—and cultural icons in this country. Players such as Babe Ruth are not only players that are celebrated for their heroics on the field, but the impact they have for our lives off the field.

For a considerable amount of time, baseball has stood as a symbol of identification to the United States. In the early twentieth century, baseball symbolized industrialism and wealth, unity, and great American pride. Baseball also provided important morale during wartime. Military personnel like Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio were recruited into the military and served their country as national heroes both on the field and off.