A Brief History of America’s Pastime

Baseball season is off in full swing (pun intended) here in America. But where did baseball come from? Some say that soldiers in the Continental Army played modified versions of cricket during the American Revolution, the earliest form of the game we know today. The first officially recorded game took place in 1846, and within twenty years was already being nicknamed “America’s Pastime.”

Baseball was originally a street game, with amateurs and kids forming teams around the country. Baseball is an easy and fun sport for kids to play, because it involves learning and refining so many things–running, aim, coordination, catching, and most of all, teamwork. That’s why in 1939, Carl Stotz organized the first Little League. In his hometown of Williamsport, PA, baseball was a popular sport with the local kids, but he thought play could be improved with standardized rules (and adult supervision).

Now the organization has more than 2.4 million children in 80 different countries participating every year, with divisions for boys and girls to play baseball, softball and tee ball. And it’s fostering some real talent. Just check out the arm on Mo’ne Davis!

But even if they don’t play, lots of kids love watching baseball, if just for the cool mascots and the chance at eating ice cream out of a tiny helmet. And if they need a buddy, they can always bring AJ the All-Star with them to the stadium! Tell us, do your kids love baseball? Are they the next Derek Jeter?