Changes

By the early 19th century variations of what would become baseball were being played on the fields, back lots, schoolyards and college campuses of the cities and towns of the United States.  In 1845 the New York Knickerbocker Baseball Club was founded, joining, as well as playing against, several other amateur teams in the area.  It was in the Elysian Fields near Hoboken, New Jersey on June 19, 1846 that the Knickerbocker club played against the New York Baseball Club, losing in four innings by a score of 23-1.  The game itself was noteworthy in that it was played after Alexander Joy Cartwright - whose ordinary job was bank clerk and volunteer fireman - wrote down the first formalized rules for baseball, setting the concept of innings and tagged outs, and limiting each team to nine players.  An 1857 convention of baseball clubs would add nine innings to the play of the game, changing the ending of the game from 21 runs.

By the early 19th century variations of what would become baseball were being played on the fields, back lots, schoolyards and college campuses of the cities and towns of the United States.  In 1845 the New York Knickerbocker Baseball Club was founded, joining, as well as playing against, several other amateur teams in the area.  It was in the Elysian Fields near Hoboken, New Jersey on June 19, 1846 that the Knickerbocker club played against the New York Baseball Club, losing in four innings by a score of 23-1.  The game itself was noteworthy in that it was played after Alexander Joy Cartwright - whose ordinary job was bank clerk and volunteer fireman - wrote down the first formalized rules for baseball, setting the concept of innings and tagged outs, and limiting each team to nine players.  An 1857 convention of baseball clubs would add nine innings to the play of the game, changing the ending of the game from 21 runs.

A tear later the National Association of Base Ball Players was created as the first organized league, comprised of amateur teams; despite this several players were paid on occasion.  One team not a member, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, became in 1869 the first professional team, and their success in their first season (91 of 92 games won) helped to spread professionalism, leading to the creation of the National Association of Professional Base-Ball Players (1871-75).  In 1876, owners of the various teams came together to form the National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs, in part because the previous association was rather loosely held together, and more important they had recognized baseball as a business.

A year later the National Association of Base Ball Players was created as the first organized league, comprised of amateur teams; despite this several players were paid on occasion.  One team not a member, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, became in 1869 the first professional team, and their success in their first season (91 of 92 games won) helped to spread professionalism, leading to the creation of the National Association of Professional Base-Ball Players (1871-75).  In 1876, owners of the various teams came together to form the National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs, in part because the previous association was rather loosely held together, and more important they had recognized baseball as a business.

Several other leagues had also formed during this period.  The American Association operated for nine years (1882-91), a serious rival to the National League when it allowed Sunday games and the sale of beer within the stands.  A Players League was created by athletes, pressing the National League in finances but ending up driving the American Association out of business.  One league, the International Association of Professional Base Ball Players, operated twice: 1877-1880, and 1888-1890, fielding teams in both the United States and Canada.  The International Association was also the last league to include black Americans within their teams, something that would not be corrected for nearly sixty years.

Several other leagues had also formed during this period.  The American Association operated for nine years (1882-91), a serious rival to the National League when it allowed Sunday games and the sale of beer within the stands.  A Players League was created by athletes, pressing the National League in finances but ending up driving the American Association out of business.  One league, the International Association of Professional Base Ball Players, operated twice: 1877-1880, and 1888-1890, fielding teams in both the United States and Canada.  The International Association was also the last league to include black Americans within their teams, something that would not be corrected for nearly sixty years.

In 1901 the American League was established from the minor Western League, and their president (Ban Johnson) ensured that teams would play in rival National League cities as well as raid the other league for talented ball players, offering better pay.  A key difference between the two was also established: the designated hitter rule, in which a player not on the field would be in the batting lineup to replace the pitcher.  The popularity of the American League was serious enough for a truce to be called, culminating in a championship "World Series" between the two leagues since 1903.

In 1901 the American League was established from the minor Western League, and their president (Ban Johnson) ensured that teams would play in rival National League cities as well as raid the other league for talented ball players, offering better pay.  A key difference between the two was also established: the designated hitter rule, in which a player not on the field would be in the batting lineup to replace the pitcher.  The popularity of the American League was serious enough for a truce to be called, culminating in a championship "World Series" between the two leagues since 1903.

==Modern Baseball==

==Modern Baseball==