Base Ball History

“The Honor of Being the Pioneer of the Present Game of Base Ball”
Historical Origins Paper

There are many aspects that go into making something successful, whether it is organization, respectability, sustainability, or popularity all characteristics are important to the end result of success. Baseball is known as the “American pass-time” and with that title baseball can be labeled as an extremely successful and thriving sport all over America. But with success, there is also a journey and a starting point that must occur to get to that achievement. With almost all things existing in the world, mankind has tried to pinpoint the origin of that thing’s being; there is no difference with the sport of baseball. Nonetheless the origin…show more content…
Many, Henry Chadwick included, will argue that “Rounders” are the true origin of baseball but “a careful search has failed to find a copy of any printed “Rounders” rules published previous to 1845, when the Knickerbocker Base Ball Rules first made their appearance.”3 The Knickerbocker game replaced the square with a diamond and increasingly predominated in the 1850s. The baseball diamond and many of the first published rules are still in use today, suggesting that the Knickerbockers helped create traditions. Traditions are a clear indication of an origination. The old book of rules that was issued by the club in 1854 was formed with the help of Dr. Adams, “who undoubtedly is entitled to be called the Father of Base Ball.”4 Dr. Adams who graduated form Yale College and continued on to Harvard Medical School was made president of the club. Having a strong leader figure and support system behind a team is another component to success because it creates respectability. Having Dr. Daniel L. Adams as the president of the Knickerbocker Club helped players and fans alike develop a deeper love for the game. Adams is known to be well preserved and “his active step and unimpaired eyesight and hearing go far to prove the value of an active interest in athletics.”5 His actions were parallel to the team’s actions, therefore creating a successful Knickerbocker…show more content…
With that being said, the creation of the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club is absolutely the origin of baseball. They created organization through rules, some of which have stuck with the sport of baseball all the way up until now. The team’s stability originated from their leader. Dr. Daniel Adams was voted president by the players a total of 6 times and with that kind of strong, supportive leader in charge they were able to stay successful. Because the team was successful, they gained the success of spectators and with that respect came a deeper interest in baseball by the viewers. Each of the aspects plays a different, vital role in the success of the Knickerbocker’s. If the Knickerbockers were not successful and failed to maintain their club in the ways that they did then I do not believe they would be the historical origin of baseball. However, because the Knickerbockers covered all of the key aspects of being successful, they most definitely can have “the honor of being the pioneer of the present game of baseball.” 1. “Dr. Daniel Adams and the Knickerbockers of New York,” in Sullivan, Early Innings, (University of Nebraska Press, 1995). 13 2. “Dr. Daniel Adams and the Knickerbockers of New York,” in Sullivan, Early Innings, (University of Nebraska Press, 1995). 13 3. “The Final Report of the Commission (1908),” in Sullivan, Early Innings, (University of Nebraska Press,