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.