Baseball is a team sport played by two sides with nine players each. The goal is to score points by hitting the ball and running around the bases.
The teams take turns playing offense and defense. On offense, players try to hit the ball and make it around the bases to score. On defense, the team works to stop the opposing runners from reaching home plate.
Baseball was created and developed in the United States, where it grew into one of the nation’s most beloved sports. It is often considered a symbol of American culture. You can learn more about baseball in the United States in this article.
History of Baseball
How did baseball take shape and become as popular as it is today? Here is the journey of baseball from its early beginnings to the modern era:
1. Starting with Rounders
According to David Block in A Search for the Roots of the Game (2005), baseball can be traced back to the English bat-and-ball game known as Rounders.
Rounders was brought by British immigrants to Canada and the United States in the late 18th century. From there, it evolved under different local names such as “town ball,” “base ball,” or the “Massachusetts Game.”
Rounders was simpler compared to baseball. Players scored points by running around the bases and returning to home, which was counted as a “rounder.”
This was different from baseball, where a player must run through first base, second base, third base, and back to home plate to earn what is called a “run.”
2. Establishing Baseball Rules
By the mid-19th century, Americans began creating a more formal set of rules for the game. In 1845, the New York Knickerbockers club, led by Alexander Cartwright, introduced the first official regulations known as the Knickerbocker Rules.
These rules laid the foundation for modern baseball, introducing the diamond-shaped field, the three-strike system, and the method of scoring runs. From this point forward, baseball grew rapidly in the United States and eventually became recognized as the national pastime.
3. The Birth of Professional Baseball
In 1869, the Cincinnati Red Stockings became the first professional team, marking the beginning of professional baseball. However, the first organized professional league did not appear until 1876 with the creation of the National League (NL).
A few decades later, the American League (AL) emerged as a rival to the NL. Their championship matchups gave birth to the World Series, which pits the winners of both leagues against each other. To this day, the World Series remains the most prestigious event in the sport.
4. Baseball Goes Global
What began as a North American pastime eventually spread worldwide. After World War II, professional leagues began to emerge across Latin America.
Countries such as Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico established their own leagues. Over time, these nations became renowned for producing some of the most talented players who would go on to dominate Major League Baseball in the United States.
Japan also embraced the game and built a strong baseball culture of its own, complete with a professional league known as Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball, or MLB, is the premier professional baseball league in the United States. It is divided into two leagues—the National League (NL) and the American League (AL)—each with 15 teams, making a total of 30 teams.
The MLB season typically begins in late March or early April and runs through late September or early October. The top teams from each league then advance to the playoffs, which are gonna compete in the World Series.
Some of the champions who have lifted the World Series trophy include the Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves, and Washington Nationals.
Baseball as Sport and American Culture
For Americans, baseball is more than just a sport—it is also a culture. This is why baseball is often called America’s National Pastime, a phrase that represents the nation’s identity, culture, and history.
Among the many popular sports in the United States, baseball is seen as the one that best reflects American values: hard work, fairness, equal opportunity, and the dream of success.
When baseball season arrives, fans flock to stadiums to watch games while enjoying hot dogs, peanuts, and soda. At home, families and friends gather together to cheer for their favorite teams.
Explore more: Check The Top 5 Most Popular Sports in The United States
It is clear that baseball is the most iconic sport in the United States. Still, Americans also have a passion for other sports such as american football, basketball, and ice hockey.
Want to learn more about American sports and culture? Join the events at @america—open to everyone and always free. Check out the daily event schedule here.
