Baseball: Our Nations Past Time By, Connor Nutland

The start to baseball The game of baseball originated from an English game called Rounder's. Alexander Cartwright is known as the father of baseball because he wanted to formalize the rules of the game. First recorded game was played at Elysian Fields in Hoboken, New jersey in 1846. In 1857, amateur teams were called together to discuss rules

Orginial rules SECTION 1. The bases shall be from "home" to second base 42 paces; from first to third base 42 paces equidistant. SECTION 2. The game to consist of 21 counts or aces, but at the conclusion an equal number of hands must be played. SECTION 3. The ball must be pitched and not thrown for the bat. SECTION 4. A ball knocked outside the range of the first or third base is foul. SECTION 5. Three balls being struck at and missed, and the last one caught, is a hand out; if not caught, is considered fair, and the striker bound to run. SECTION 6. A ball being struck or tipped, and caught either flying or on the first bound, is a hand out. SECTION 7. A player, running the bases, shall be out, if the ball is in the hands of an adversary on the base, as the runner is touched by it before he makes his base-it being under- stood, however, that in no instance is a ball to be thrown at him. SECTION 8. A player running, who shall prevent an adversary from catching or getting the ball before making his base, is a hand out. SECTION 9. If two hands are already out, a player running home at the time a ball is struck, can not make an ace if the striker is caught out. SECTION 10. Three hands out, all out. SECTION 11. Players must take their strike in regular turn. SECTION 12. No ace or base can be made on a foul strike. SECTION 13. A runner can not be put out in making one base, when a balk is made by the pitcher. SECTION 14. But one base allowed when the ball bounds out of the field when struck.

Early Problems In early 1860’s baseball clubs declined dramatically because of the Civil War The game became expensive and people were now being charged admission to watch the games, so winning was very important. Even though baseball was considered an amateur sport, many players were secretly paid. In 1871, the National Association became the first professional baseball league.

Nation Past Time A paper for New York City coin’s the phrase National Past Time for the game of baseball in 1856. Only 10 years after the development of the game.

Black sox’s scandal The 1919 Chicago White Sox is considered one of the best teams to ever play the game. The Owner Charles Comiskey had the highest payroll in baseball yet paid his players close to nothing. Star players “shoeless” Joe Jackson and Buck Weaver were only paid $6,000. Players were caught throwing the World Series and were banned from baseball

Segregation of the Game Black players were not allowed to play in the game league or games as the white players In 1920 the Negro League is founded by Rube Foster. Ben Taylor was considered the best first basemen in Negro League history however lost his arm in the 1950’s and soon after died of Pneumonia.

Jackie Robinson First African American to play major league baseball. 50 years after breaking the color barrier his number was retired throughout the entire league. (number 42) The only active player in the MLB still wearing 42 is Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees

Heading west In 1957 the Brooklyn Dodgers head to Los Angels and the New York Giants head to San Francisco. Baseball finally moved to the west coast.

Strike In 1994 baseball goes on its longest strike in history. There was no World Series that year First time in professional sports history that the entire post season was not played.

Steroids in baseball Baseball takes a turn in the wrong direction with the illegal introduction of steroids and growth hormones. Many great players begin to experiment and start putting up on heard of numbers.

Players caught up in the juice Mark McGwire caught after breaking Roger Maris record after hitting 70 homeruns. Sammy Sosa, Jose Canseco, Jason Giambi, Barry Bonds, Gary Sheffield, Roger Clements and many others…

Taking Action Oct. 22, 2004 — President Bush signs the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004 into law. The MLB begins to do random drug testing for steroids and other drugs.

Babe Ruth The most infamous baseball player to ever play the game. Was traded from the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees. (Curse of the Ruth began) He used a 54oz bat, players now a days use 30-38oz bats

Other Greats of the game Willie Mays, Lou Gehrig, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Reggie Jackson, Ect….

Best team in sports The New York Yankees are considered the best franchise in all of sports. They have won 40 pennants and 27 World Series. The have been the home of many of the greats of the game.

The Rivalry The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox have been called the greatest rivalry in sports. The Yankees are on top of the rivalry 1,124-938-14 Boston Calls the Yankees the Evil empire and blames the trade of Babe Ruth for there almost 100 year drought.

Records Ty Cobb's .367 lifetime batting average Cal Ripken's 2,632 consecutive games Nolan Ryan's 5,714 career strikeouts Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak

Fun Facts First World Series was played between the Pittsburg Pirates and Boston Red Sox and was a 9 game series instead of 7. Philadelphia A's (now the Oakland Athletics) manager Connie Mack has 3,755 wins, more than any other manager in baseball history.

Work Cited www.factmonster.com www.MLB.com http://www.rpi.edu/~fiscap/history_files/history1.htm http://www.baseball-almanac.com/