Sociogenesis of Baseball

It is well known that baseball is known as the "All- American" sport. However, according to Wikipedia it is traced back to the 18th century, in England where they believe it was derived from a British game called Rounders. Although, this maybe true, Albert Spalding, the baseball executive in America did not agree. He believed that baseball was created in America, and that it was the "American sport". Baseball was then  founded in New York by a man named Abner Doubleday. The first team was the New York, Knickerbockers.

Baseball, in the early years was known to be played by the middle to upper class white males. For years, whites did not let the African Americas participate until the year 1947. The game consisted of nine players, nine innings, and the bases 90 feet apart. Over the years, they changed the rule from being able to throw the ball at the runner to get them out (like they do in kickball) to having to touch the base, or tag the runner. At this time, the only equipment used was a baseball, glove, wooden bats, soft bases, and a pitching mound. In the present day, baseball is still played with the same fundamentals as it did back in the day; nine players, nine innings( in the MLB), and bases 90 feet apart. However, the equipment is more updated with metal or wooden bats, plastic bases, smaller pitching mound, helmets, and more high quality leather gloves. As in any sport baseball has injuries as well; sore arms, torn tendons/ligaments, bruises from getting it by the ball, or even concussions.

In 1857 the National Association of Baseball Players was established. It was the first organization of baseball, and it was the first organization to come up with the World Series. Also, the Civil War is when baseball started to get really popular because the soldiers would play, and it just continued to expanding from there. In 1869, is when baseball became a professional sport. The first pro team was the Cincinnati Red Stockings. However, this was only the minor leagues; the major leagues did not start till 1871.

Still to this day baseball is a very popular sport in America. Athletes from all over the world come to America to play in the MLB. It is the famous "American Past Time". It is very likely that everyone has been to a major league baseball game before. In 2012, the MLB had the highest attendance of any sport of over 75 million spectators. Baseball might not always be the most interesting sport to watch, but it will always be the famous "American Past Time".