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