| Baseball is America's sport. It's been around for a | | | | the bases and now the rules include "fair ball" and |
| long time. We think back to when baseball was | | | | "foul ball". Finally, it was decided and the rules of |
| just for fun. Baseball began to sprout in the early | | | | baseball that now follow are the rules that stuck |
| 1700's but did not surface as a game play until | | | | in the year 1845. |
| the 1800's. It was not a professional sport at first. | | | | As time went on and years went by it was about |
| In fact it wasn't until later when playing baseball | | | | the late 1860's, when the first professional |
| was actually an informal game. Later the | | | | baseball team came out known as the Cincinnati |
| organization was formed and baseball was then | | | | Red Stockings. Shortly after eight more |
| played as a profession. Baseball was exclusive and | | | | professional teams were made known that |
| only known and recognized in New York. What's | | | | formed the Major leagues. Given the privilege of |
| more, baseball began unfold outside of New York | | | | opening the Openers, The Cincinnati Red |
| shortly after the civil war. | | | | Stockings debut continued for several years. The |
| After the wide spread of the game, African | | | | opening of the first game of the season is a |
| American's tried to join the team but were not | | | | political one. This means that the President of the |
| allowed. They were not allowed to play until the | | | | United States at the time usually throws the first |
| National Association of Baseball Players was | | | | pitch of the season. This baseball tradition began |
| invented and they began welcoming African | | | | after the major leagues took way. The most |
| Americans to the game. That didn't last long at all. | | | | memorable President to ever throw the first pitch |
| Later The National Association of Baseball Players | | | | was President Truman, who threw the baseball |
| changed this policy and eliminating African | | | | with his right and left hand. |
| Americans from the Association. Players were not | | | | The more the years past the more sophisticated |
| allowed to integrate so they formed an all black's | | | | the game got. Also players became popular |
| teams, later know as the Negro League, to | | | | making history with no hitters and home runs. |
| continue playing the game. This carried on for | | | | There are books and movies made about |
| quite a few years. Because of their race, the first | | | | historical players such as Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, |
| two African American baseball players were | | | | and Hank Aaron who in fact broke Babe Ruth's |
| never able to move on to the National League | | | | record for the most home runs. Baseball is the |
| until a much later time. | | | | game for all to enjoy and recognize the history |
| Still, baseball was not an organized game and | | | | behind the teams, players, and the game itself. To |
| teams followed different rules wherever they | | | | this day baseball has evolved including African |
| played. In fact, baseball had several rules of the | | | | Americans to join and succeed at the game but it |
| game change a number of times. For instance, | | | | is still a mans game. |
| players were able to hit the ball anywhere and run | | | | |