Base Ball History

Knickerbocker Rules

Oct 1, 1845

The Knickerbocker Rules, or the New York Game, established modern baseball's rules making baseball known as an official game in New York. http://www.bsu.edu/eft/untold/p/bbtimeline.html

The Cincinnati Red Stockings

Oct 1, 1869

Baseball's first all-professional team, the Red Stocking, are founded. This is very important becuase it was the start of official baseball exciting many! http://www.bsu.edu/eft/untold/p/bbtimeline.html

First African-American Pro Player

Oct 1, 1878

Bud Fowler played for pay in Lynn, Massachusetts, on a team im the International Association. This is a huge step towards integration, but many didn't want an African American in the Professional Leauge. http://www.bsu.edu/eft/untold/p/bbtimeline.html

First Major League World Series

Oct 1, 1903

1903 a National agreement was made that led to the first world series between two major league champions. The first world series was won by Boston in the American league. This started one of the most exciting playoff events in America. http://www.bsu.edu/eft/untold/p/bbtimeline.html

Negro National Leauge

Oct 1, 1920

Eight team owners created the first successful league of African–American teams. As president and booking secretary, Rube Foster was its most powerful individual owner. The NNL folded in 1931. This is important becuase it was African Americans getting the chance to actually play ball and the leauge stayed alive for over a decade. This gave integration hope.
http://www.bsu.edu/eft/untold/p/bbtimeline.html

First Colored World Series

Oct 1, 1924

With two African–American leagues, the first Colored World Series was played between Kansas City and Hilldale (Philadelphia).
This is important becuase the African-Americans got a huge audience for this game.
http://www.bsu.edu/eft/untold/p/bbtimeline.html

First Major League All-Star Game

Oct 1, 1933

This game was a really good Econoical boost and there were tons of people interested in it becuase it involved so many different teams http://www.bsu.edu/eft/untold/p/bbtimeline.html

East West Game

Oct 1, 1933

From 1933 to 1950, the East–West All–Star Game in Chicago was the highlight of the African–American baseball year.

Green Light Letter

Oct 1, 1942

Organized Baseball offered to cancel the 1941 season to help with the war effort. President Roosevelt said that baseball was important for national morale and should continue. This was important becuase it showed that we had a very understanding president at that time and it was known that morale was needed in hard times. http://www.bsu.edu/eft/untold/p/bbtimeline.html

Women in the Negro Leauges

Oct 1, 1953

Coni Stone, Connie Morgan and Peanuts Johnson all played infield positions for NAL teams, including the Indianapolis Clowns and the Kansas City Monarchs. This was a huge sucess for women becase it pushed boundaries of the Womens' abilities http://www.bsu.edu/eft/untold/p/bbtimeline.html