There is no sport in American history that is more exciting than baseball. This is illustrated by the millions of people who huddle around television sets when something like the World Series competition is being played. Fans will don special colored costumes, paint their faces, hold up signs and, in general, display their enthusiasm for the game. The winners are welcomed back to their hometown with parades and celebration parties.
Although there are no official records, it is believed that the game originated before 1861 with an English game called 'rounders' which was played on sand lots. This game is still popular in the UK and Ireland schools and consists of hitting a ball with a bat and running around four bases. The game is mentioned, and called 'baseball', in a book written in 1745.
Other names for baseball were 'townball' or 'base', finally settling on the name baseball. It was not until 1845 that a man named Alexander Cartwright composed a set of playing rules and introduced the idea of scoring and record-keeping. It was in 1846 that the first recorded contest took place and in 1871 that the first professional league was established.
Although many different American cities established a professional team, the game did not become a popular sport until the 1920's when Babe Ruth became a national hero with his well publicized home runs. He was playing for the New York Yankees at the time and led them to victory and a number of World Series titles.
The game also contributed to the acceptance of African-Americans as players in popular sports. This occurred in 1947 when Jackie Robinson was brought into the major leagues. He played for the Brooklyn Dodgers and became well known for his athletic ability. Prior to his acceptance into the league all African-Americans were restricted to playing in a Negro League.
It was in the 1950s that the Western United States started wooing teams from the East. At this time expansion teams were formed with players available from other teams. Since the beginning of major league baseball there has been a National League and an American League.
Previous to its elimination in 2008 the sport had been included in the Olympic Games. The United States won the gold in this event in 2000. This game has spread around the world and, in 2006 an American team took part in the first annual World Baseball Classic, held in the United States. Baseball history in America has come a long way from its humble beginning as a 'rounders' game on a sand lot.
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