Every decade, a specific pastime comes about as the outcome of the occurrences and the society pertaining to that period of time. These leisure activities give the people a getaway from day-to-day life. Starting in the nineteenth century in America, this getaway proved to be baseball. Although it actually began in the early 1800’s as an American variant of the English sport of “Rounders”, baseball was laid back and spontaneous initially, as rules would vary regionally. A more established form of baseball came into play with the creation of the present-day baseball field designed by Alexander Cartwright. Cartwright and his teammates from the New York Knickerbocker Base Ball Club also conceived the initial regulations of the sport of baseball. …show more content…
George Herman single handedly embodied what baseball meant from 1914 to 1935, as the game transitioned from the “dead ball” era into a game characterized by the “roaring twenties” with his reckless home run swings and charismatic personality. On the other hand, Grover Alexander was a special player known for refining the art of pitching, but most notable for serving in France in WWI and then coming back to resume his career. Over hundreds of professional baseball players registered to serve in the U.S. army during WWI, although not all were called to serve. George “Babe Ruth” Herman was undoubtedly the largest American baseball player and celebrity when he contemplated registered for WWI, but taking on his responsibilities as an American citizen, he went through with his decision. Grover Alexander also experienced much limelight (but nowhere near the level of Babe Ruth) for his baseball prowess, but not only choose to register for WWI but serve in France as a sergeant with the 342nd Field Artillery. During his stay in France, Alexander was fighting in the trenches when he was exposed to German mustard gas that would cause deafness in his right ear as well as an onset of epileptic seizures. For many this would be detrimental and would lead to post-war traumatic stress disorders, but for Alexander it only fueled his love for the game even more. Alexander returned to baseball in 1920 and won his third consecutive triple crown, the highest award for a pitcher to earn. His relentlessness to succeed, and his commitment to his loves in life truly exemplified what it meant to be an “American hero”. One could look at the registration cards filed by Herman and Alexander and see just how important baseball was to American culture. For example, on George
“In 1946, there were sixteen Major League Baseball teams, with a total of 400 players on their rosters, every one of the players was white. But when opening day came in 1947, that number dropped to 399, and one man stood apart. (42 2:30)” Jack Roosevelt “Jackie” Robinson made his Major League Baseball debut on April 15, 1947, as a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Making Jackie Robinson the first African-American to play Major League Baseball (MLB). Jackie’s transition from the Negro Leagues to MLB was not an easy one. As a player, he transitioned very well, but it was Robinson’s teammates, Dodgers fans, the opposing teams and their fans that tested Jackie every chance they got, some hotels even prohibited the Dodgers to stay in their establishments
1910 to 1920 was the one of the greatest decades for Major League Baseball. Many amazing events occurred during this decade; although, some devastating and extremely sad events also occurred. Half of these years were taken up by war, even many Hall of Fame players served. This decade still ended up being a great one for Major League Baseball. From Hall of Fame greats to Negro League pitchers, this decade produced greats. The 1910’s also set up the 1920’s for amazing players too.
"Over the decades, African American teams played 445-recorded games against white teams, winning sixty-one percent of them." (Conrads, pg.8) The Negro Leagues were an alternative baseball group for African American baseball player that were denied the right to play with the white baseball payers in the Major League Baseball Association. In 1920, the first African American League was formed, and that paved the way for numerous African American innovation and movements. Fences, and Jackie Robinson: The Biography, raises consciousness about the baseball players that have been overlooked, and the struggle they had to endure simply because of their color.
Baseball has been of the longest living sports in our world today. The game started with the idea of a stick and ball and now has become one of the most complex sports known in our society. Several rules and regulations have been added to help enhance the game for everyone. Although baseball has endured several issues during its history and development of the game the game has still been a success throughout the world.
For the better part of the 20th century, African American baseball players played under unequal opportunity. On one side of the field, European descendants were given a license to play this children's game for money and national fame. While on the other side of the field, African slave descendants were also given a license to play - as long as they didn't encroach upon the leagues of the Caucasians. What was left over for African American player in terms of riches was meager at best. Though the fortune wasn't there, the love and fame within the African American communities made the players of the Negro Baseball League legends.
One of the most iconic names in baseball is the team name “New York Yankees”, and along with it have come some equally as famous players. The Yankees have had so much talent come through their stadium, names including Babe Ruth, Yogi Berra and Mickie Mantle to name a few. Though there are several arguments about who the greatest players of the game are it is no question who the top ten are from the New York team. Based on up to date career statistics these players have a ninety year span of talent between them. These players may not have top score in all parts of the game but they have all set certain records that either have yet to be broken or held for a longer time than most students have been alive.
As a faithful follower and player of American Baseball, this topic was of extreme interest to me. The origins and history of a lifestyle that I have dedicated the overwhelming majority of my life to has always caught my attention. Baseball, being America’s national sport, is a crucial illustration to understand when discussing the overall societal circumstances at that time. One of baseball’s most important tasks was integrating the sport and allowing people of every ethnicity to have a chance to play the sport at an equal playing field. Although we now know that the efforts to desegregate baseball were ultimately a success, to what extent were the efforts a direct success during that time period? Did the unification of different ethnicities in America’s national sport have an effect on the amount of time desegregat...
Its America’s pastime. Since 1869, the MLB has been the sweetheart of American sports. A requisite to be a true American is to have a conceptual understanding of baseball; the seventh inning stretch, “Take Me Out To The Ball Game,” as well as hotdogs and warm summer nights at the ball park are all favorite memories of American pastime. However, what one might not realize is the extreme physics behind the game. The velocity of the pitch, and degree of the ball exiting the bat, the exit speed, and how an outfielder throws are entailed within the physics of baseball. It is important to understand the physics involved with baseball to grow in understanding and appreciation of the sport.
Since the sport first emerged, baseball and America have shared the same values, responded to the same events, and struggled with the same social and economic issues. To learn of the ideals concerning the sport of baseball in America, is to know the heart and mind of America. Baseball developed before the Civil War but did not achieve professional status until the 1870s (The Baseball Glove, 2004). In 1871, the National Association of Professional Baseball Players was formed. Unfortunately, the organization ran into financial hardships and was abandoned in 1875.
Americans began playing baseball on informal teams, using local rules, in the early 1800s. By the 1860s, the sport, unrivaled in popularity, was being described as America's "national pastime." Alexander Joy Cartwright of New York invented the modern baseball field in 1845. Alexander Cartwright and the members of his New York Knickerbocker Base Ball Club devised the first rules and regulations for the modern game of baseball.
In Major League Baseball, stadiums can affect the game dramatically by the size and by the way the dirt is laid out and how the weather is as well. The baseball teams and players can be affected by this in their major life physically and mentally. Major League Baseball is a prominent organization in our daily life. The game is very important for most people. The game is a lifestyle to people as well. Baseball has changed over the years. For instance, Pete Palmer states, “The way baseball is playing right now is completely different from the past” (Palmer, summary, 2014). A very helping part of baseball are baseball stadiums. For example, ballparks of america says, “... ballparks are amazing, they help us play” (ballparks of america, summary,
Nemee, David. “100 Years of Major League Baseball.” Lincolnwood, Illinois: Publications Infernational, Ltd, 200. Print.
Impact: Alexander Cartwright’s changes made the game faster-paced and more challenging while setting it apart from games like cricket and rounders. In 1846, the Knickerbockers (Cartwright’s team) played the first official game of baseball against a team of cricket players, beginning a new, uniquely American tradition. In a matter of years, baseball became a professional
This game of a stick and ball has captivated the United States during good and bad times. In either time most of us today can remember stories of players from the late 1800’s to early 1900’s. These are legendary figures in the sport of baseball that have are celebrated as hero’s and in scandal, i...
Tygiel, Jules. 2001; 2000. Past time: Baseball as history. Oxford England; New York: Oxford University Press.