Early development
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The first signs of baseball were back in the early 1600's, it was known as a game people called rounders. There was not much difference between modern baseball and the game rounders. Instead of tagging the runners like they do now, they used to throw the ball at them, if the runner was hit he was considered out. |
Early Rules
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Rules of the game were found in many different books, which varied depending on where the game was played. Local customs determined the rules which were used when playing the game. So, the rules were pretty much up to the home team. A few rules that varied from place to place, were the number of players on each side, number of bases, and the distances between them. |
Alexander Cartwright 1820-1898
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Alexander Cartwright was a New York spokesman who was known as the father of organized baseball. In 1845 he formed a club who's only prpose was to play baseball. The Knickerbocker baseball club of New York. He and the members of the club devised the rules and regulations for the modern game of baseball. |
Changes in Rules
BEFORE |
AFTER |
| First team to 21 runs wins the game. | The team leading after 9 innings wins. |
| Pitcher stod 45 feet from home plate. | Pitching mound is now 60.5 feet from home plate. |
| Batter was considered out is the ball was caught after one bounce or on the fly. | Balls that are caught after the first bounce are no longer considered out. |
| Three strikes counted as a strike out. But the batter had to swing for it to count as a strike. | Called strikes became apart of the game in 1968, and the foul strike was adopted in 1901. |
| No such thing as a walk. | 1889 the walk was introduced. If a pitcher threw four balls to a batter he was allowed first base. |
The First Game 1846
The first official game of baseball was between the Knickerbocker Club vs. New York Nine. On June 19, 1846 at the Elysian field in Hoboken, NJ (above). The New York Nine won 23 to 1.