Baseball Party Supplies

The History of Baseball

The history of American baseball is an interesting one. It was rumored that Abner Doubleday invented the sport in Cooperstown, NY in 1839. The rumor continues that he went on to become a Civil War hero and that baseball was born as America's favorite pasttime. Well... that turns out to be untrue. Doubleday claims no ownage for anything to do with the game. In fact, references to games similar to baseball go all the way back to the 18th century. Games like rounders and cricket are the most similar in play.

A group of men from NYC founded the New York Knickerbocker Baseball Club in September of 1845. Alexander Joy Cartwright, a bank clerk and volunteer firefighter, eventually founded a new set of rules that would eventually form the basis for today's baseball; things like a diamond-shaped field, foul lines and the three-strike rule. He was also responsible for abolishing the concept of striking players out by throwing the balls at them.

Baseball's Most Famous Players

There are several names that ring throughout history as baseball's most renowned players. A few of them are:

• Babe Ruth
• Willie Mays
• Barry Bonds
• Ted Williams
• Hank Aaron
• Walter Johnson
• Ty Cobb
• Stan Musial
• Honus Wagner
• Roger Clemens

Some Interesting Baseball Facts

Below are some interesting, random facts about America's favorite pasttime.

• 1. The lifespan of a major league baseball is approx. 5 to 7 pitches; up to 70 balls are used during one typical game.
• 2. Second base is the most stolen base in the game.
• 3. Baseball gloves have gone through more design evolutions than any other piece of sports equipment.
• 4. Minor league pitcher Jackie Mitchell was banned from Major and Minor League Baseball after striking out both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.
• 5. The most consecutive innings ever played was 26 innings between the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Boston Braves on May 1, 1920.