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Evolution of Baseball Equipment and the Game
The game of American Baseball has evolved from the British game of cricket, often called “rounders,” which was a favorite pastime during the 18th century Colonial Era. The development of baseball is attributed to Alexander Joy Cartwright who founded the modern baseball field in 1845 and laid out the rules of the game. Once a leisure activity for wealthy white males, baseball became in ever present game in various cities after the Civil War. Soldiers had brought back the game of baseball into their towns where other American citizens would watch and participate.
The appeal of baseball led to the institutionalization of the game by the National Association. At this point, teams developed and became rivals with the Cincinnati Red Stockings being the first professional team in 1869. The first World Series took place in 1903 with the two rival leagues, the National and the American playing each other. It wasn’t until 1947 that Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play baseball, joined the Brooklyn Dodgers and allowed other African Americans to play. This evolution of baseball is inseparable from the evolution of baseball equipment.
The Ball: The first baseball was sized between a golf ball and softball and was made of horsehide with a rubber core. In 1872, ball standards changed and the Dead Era was no longer prevalent. The National League granted rights to the Spalding Sporting Goods Company to supply a new, larger ball that weighed about 5 ounces. With this ball, however, came few home runs and low scores until the Reach Sporting Goods company invented the new cork center ball that was much livelier. Offense increased and new pitching techniques emerged including the spit ball and scuff ball along with Babe Ruth as an all star. Ever since 1974, cowhide replaced horsehide for the cover due to financial reasons.
The Bat: Baseball bats originally came in various shapes and sizes and batters even made their own bats. After experimentation, baseball players realized that bats with rounded barrels were the best. In 1859, baseball bats became more standardized with bats at 2.5 inches in diameter but at any length. 10 years later, bats were required to be 42 inches long at the most, which is the maximum length today. The Louisville Slugger was born in 1884 which was made of wood and wooden bats continue to be used today but weigh less and have thinner handles. The first metal bat emerged in 1924 and was officially used in a game in 1970.
Catcher’s Glove: Catchers’ gloves started off as leather work gloves without full fingers and later on evolved into more padded gloves to avoid injuries. It is believed that the catcher was the first person to wear a glove as they had to catch pitches. The National League and American Association of Base Ball Clubs issues a rule saying that the Catcher and First Baseman must wear gloves of any size and weight and other players could not wear gloves over ten ounces and fourteen inches in circumference.
The changes that have taken place in the evolution of baseball equipment have been partly responsible for the refinement of the actual game of baseball. Over the course of its history, baseball has remained an important American sport and has been part of popular culture.
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