6. African Americans in Baseball

Not long after the Civil War the first public baseball game was played against African American teams. Brooklyn played Philadelphia but lost on their home field. Over the next twenty years over 200 Black teams would be formed.

http://assets.nydailynews.com/

Although some Blacks were able to play on some teams in the Northern states, Jim Crow laws and racism kept them from participating in most profession teams. The Nation Association of Baseball Players made a "gentlemen's agreement" to bar Blacks from participating. It wasn't until 1920 that the first Black professional league was created, The Negro National League. A year later The Negro Southern league was formed and in 1923 The Eastern Colored League came about.

It wasn't until 1946 that we saw the beginning of the end to the segregation of Blacks and Whites on the field. Jackie Robinson (number 42) was signed onto the Brooklyn Dodgers and is known as the first professional Black player to join the National League. A couple years later the rest of the Negro Leagues slowly dissolved into the National and American League ending the racism in baseball.













http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/feature/african-american-baseball/

5. The Growth and Development of Baseball: Part 2

http://prawfsblawg.blogs.com/

In 1882 the American Association had its first meeting in Cincinnati. They placed teams in cities unoccupied by the National League and took control of Philadelphia and Cincinnati. At the conclusion of the season the White Stockings battled the Red Stockings in Cincinnati and is considered to be the "first world series" although that wouldn't officially happen until 1903 with the Pirates and the Red Sox.

The Union Association was founded by Henry Lucas in 1884. He was a lawyer looking to make his way into baseball. Unfortunately the league only lasted one season. In 1889 the Players League was formed by John Ward. The league said that there was no reserve clause and a player could not be traded without his consent unlike the other leagues. It also unfortunately came to an end after one season.

Finally all the leagues merged together in in 1891 into the National League. The American League would follow shortly after in 1901.

https://outsidepitchmlb.files.wordpress.com

http://www.19cbaseball.com/leagues-2.html
  

4. The Growth and Development of Baseball: Part 1

As baseball grew competition began to become more important. Also people were willing to pay to see professionals play the sport. This brought a business aspect to the game and a need to establish rules and leagues was needed. 

The first baseball convention occurred in New York City in January of 1857. Daniel Adams was the president of the committee. A set of regulations and rules were established and a total of 15 professional teams were created. Below is a picture of the first Florida baseball team. 

https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/619

Two more conventions happened in 1858 and 1859 in which the Nation Association of Baseball Players was created. In 1876 the National League was formed and it still exists to this day. Many more leagues would come but not all of them would last. Also many teams were formed but only some still last to this day. 


http://www.19cbaseball.com/leagues-2.html

3. Baseball In The Civil War

Baseball is truly the greatest sport in America. Even in time of turmoil and war the game was still played. During the Civil War for instance baseball was played by both Confederate and Union soldiers. Not only did the enlisted men play but also the officers. It was very much encouraged because the game not only provided moral support to the troops but also was a source of exercise and conditioning. Some soldiers brought bats and gloves with them and when no equipment could be found they resorted to sticks or even fence posts. 

https://www.ourstate.com/national-pastime-war/

Soldiers often instead of writing about the grief in war would tell their families and loved ones of the baseball games that took place. it took their mind off the struggles they faced and it was something pleasant they could talk about. 

During this time baseball also grew immensely. Since every soldier was playing it and writing about it soon everyone came to know and love this great pastime. Even after the war when people celebrated their independence, a game of baseball was usually played in the afternoon. And it continue to grow into the great sport we know today. 

2. The Oldest Sport In America

Baseball is not only the greatest sport in America but it is also one of the oldest as well. The creation of this great sport is accredited to two people depending on who you talk to.

https://www.emaze.com

Abner Doubleday is said to have invented the game in 1839 but Alexander Cartwright is said to have invented the game in 1845 as well as establishing a baseball club, the New York Knickerbockers. To the left is a picture displaying him holding a baseball and bat. Either way you look at it baseball began before the Civil War. This is before Football was invented which is said to be 1892.

 During this time there weren't a whole lot of leagues and baseball was played more as a leisurely pastime. Kids gathered from all around and played the game in sandlots. But it wasn't only kids who loved the game. Even the president at the time, Abraham Lincoln was once quoted saying, "I am glad to hear of their coming, but they will have to wait a few minutes till I get my turn with the bat".  The president loved the game so much that he even had a baseball field constructed in the back of the White House called the "White Lot". An editor at the time made a cartoon that depicted the president with the other presidential candidates all dressed up in uniforms getting ready to play. 

http://m.mlb.com/cutfour

Throughout the upcoming years baseball will evolve and grow into the sport we know today. But it will always remain one of the oldest sports in America and the nations favorite pastime.









http://www.baseball-almanac.com/prz_qal.shtml
http://www.pacivilwartrails.com/stories/tales/baseball-and-the-civil-war

1. The Greatest Sport In America

No other sport in America is enjoyed and participated in other than baseball. Unlike other sports where you have to be a certain weight or height to even play, baseball includes a wide range of different sized athletes. This is also why baseball evokes so much nostalgia  among people because they probably played the sport as a child, if not in a league at least with their friends at one point in time.  I myself played baseball when I was younger for about eight years and it was a blast! Of course I was a very small child and the time so I'm glad baseball was there for me. I probably wouldn't be writing this right now if I had attempted football. There is even a bigger overall turnout at regular season games in baseball than in football believe it or not. Check out this interesting stat. 

It is also a sport that is not only played by  men but women also enjoy this pastime. Softball is enjoyed by women as well as older individuals and the only difference it has from baseball is the size of the ball. Baseball is even referred to as "The Nation Pastime" and according to this stat it definitely looks to be true. Millions of people still to this day play and enjoy to watch this great American sport.