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Earliest Known Mentioning of Baseball
In 1791, there was an ordinance banning the playing of baseball within 80 yards of the town meeting house in Pittsfield, Massachusetts -
Formation of the New York Knickerbockers
In picture: 1848-1850 New York Knickerbockers.
On September 23, 1845, the New York Knickerbockers became the first team in the United States to play under modern rules. They were a social club at the time, and was strictly amateur at its time. Many rules were formulated during this club's time - nine inning games and tagging instead of throwing to get someone out were a couple of these. -
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Formation of the NABBP
In 1857, 16 New York area clubs formed the NABBP - The National Association of Base Ball Players. This would become the main organization which would grow heavily over the coming years. -
NABBP Forms the Professional League
Due to pressures from the use of money for good baseball players, the sheer size of the association, the NABBP formed the professional league, allowing the 1869 season onward to support professional teams. -
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The National Association of Professional Base Ball Players
This was the first attempt to separate from NABBP - William Hulbert formed this league because the NABBP was too focused on the players and not the clubs for professional baseball to work effectively. The amateur section would eventually fall, and the NABBP would become strictly professional. -
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The Rise in Professional Baseball
Throughout this time, many Baseball leagues were formed throughout the United States, attempting to rival the National League. -
Formation of the Western League
On February 11, 1885, the Western League was formed. This would eventually rise together with the Eastern League to form what is now the Americal League of baseball. The Western and Eastern Leagues both had many, many big cities and good baseball teams. However, the two would fight with the National League, both legally and financially. -
Carl Mays Was Hit
On August 16, 1920, Carl Mays was hit by a ball in the temple, and died the next day. Soon after, the NABPL outlawed any tampering with the baseball in any shape, way, or form. -
Dissolving of the Negro Leagues
On this day, the Negro Leagues and the NABPL became one. People of black skin were allowed to play baseball for the National Leagues.
