We have all noticed in our favorite American movies how fanatically many of the characters are passionate about baseball, the history of baseball, their families or groups of friends betting or dreaming of meeting the stars of their favorite sport. Yes, indeed, in America over the last hundred years baseball has become a national idea, not just a sport. It would be logical to assume that it was Americans who invented baseball, but opinions differ on this point. Americans undoubtedly consider themselves the creators of their favorite game, but the British have their own opinion on the matter, because baseball is a very close relative of the English game of cricket.
The British believe that baseball appeared around the second half of the 18th century, after an entertainment publication that included a description of the game with pictures. We, too, could claim “copyright,” since the rules of baseball are not much different from the old Russian game of lapta.
Nevertheless, the facts speak for themselves and the first baseball club was created by American officers. The Americans approved the rules, the standard composition of teams and hosted the first baseball game, which marked the beginning of the development of a very interesting sport, which was later included in the list of Olympic games.
Development of baseball
In the 60’s of the 19th century there was the first club, which began to pay royalties to their players for the games, so baseball was immediately divided into professional and amateur. Moreover, professional sports in the U.S. in our time reached unprecedented financial heights, because the average baseball player’s salary is more than 500 thousand dollars a year.History of baseball And the best players become true stars and national heroes. At the same time, in the 1960s, the National Baseball League was created, which is now considered the most powerful sports organization, with an annual turnover of more than $900 million a year. Then, at the time of its inception, it had more than 20 member clubs. In our time in the U.S. has already formed a whole subculture associated with baseball. This and dozens of themed magazines, collectible sets, children’s and adult amateur clubs and, of course, professional teams.
The spread of baseball.
The sport evolved quite successfully and in the early 20th century was held the first World Cup, which very conventionally it could be called that, the history of baseball as its participants were only two teams – USA and Great Britain. The confrontation between the giants ended with the victory of the British. In the 80s of the 20th century, filed an application for recognition of baseball as an Olympic sport, and in 1992 the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona showed the best players Cubans, they also maintained their reputation and in 1996 in Atlanta. Baseball was steadily taking over the planet, with more than 120 countries joining the game. And in 2004, the first Women’s Championship in the sport was held.
During the existence of baseball from it stood out and a somewhat simplified sport – it is softball, adapted to play indoors or on small-sized fields.
In addition to the United States, Great Britain, and Cuba, the brightest baseball teams also represented Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Australia, Japan, and Korea.
