Baseball History: The History of Baseball Along With Fascinating Facts & Unbelievably True Stories

By Ace McCloud

Would you love to know the incredible and exciting history of baseball?

Whether you want to (1) learn incredible and interesting facts about baseball history, (2) discover some of baseball’s greatest events and stories, or (3) be thoroughly entertained as you learn how baseball has evolved over the years, this book will teach you everything you need to know.

See what happens inside the game.

This book is about what makes baseball the sport it is today. We’ll take you inside a game to see what individual players are thinking. You will visit the early days of the sport to see some of the influences that have made the game what it is today. You will be inspired by the real players who have pursued a dream, watched their dream crumble before their eyes, and then who persisted with dedication and hard work to attain success. If life is about winning and competition, then the game of baseball is rich soil in which to develop success.

Discover the greatest innovations to the game.

Because baseball relies equally upon chance and skill, you will discover some of the tactics players have used to try and improve their odds for success: changing the bat, scuffing the ball, bunting, stealing bases, and the use of any number of superstitions and good-luck charms, to name a few.

The Rich Culture of Baseball

Baseball is a sport rich in history, culture, and traditions. It doesn’t matter if you have devoted your entire life to the game or whether you know little about baseball besides its name; this book is for you! You will find inside these pages both inspiration and a treasure of knowledge to flesh out the game for you. Beyond a play-by-play description of the game dynamics, you will be introduced to some of the strategies that have made baseball so unpredictably fascinating.

Trace the Development of the Sport.

You will also meet some of the interesting people who have contributed to the game and you will learn from the ongoing legacy of practical innovation that has shaped baseball over its one hundred-plus years of history. You will be introduced to innovators such as John Hillerich, Barry Bonds, Russ Ford, Harry Decker, Albert Spalding, and Alexander Cartwright. You will discover the connection between the sport of baseball and dodge ball, find out why there is a large bump in the middle of the playing field, and be transported to the ballpark for the first time “The Star Spangled Banner” was sung by the crowd. You will be inspired by the lives of athletes who pursued their dreams and continued to hope even when it appeared they would never play again. In addition, you will learn how fans have shown their support for their favorite teams and encouraged them, even in the darkest of days. Whatever your interest or level of knowledge, “The History of Baseball” will entertain, educate, and inspire you.

What Will You Discover About Baseball History?

• The evolution of the game over the last 100 years.
• Incredibly true baseball stories.
• The inner workings of the game.
• The great players, teams, and baseball strategies.
• How fans have helped teams win championships.

You Will Also Learn:

• How baseball has influenced American culture.
• Wonderful baseball movies.
• Wild facts about baseball.
• The interesting lives of the best players of all time.

Discover the incredibly entertaining history of baseball.

Get inside the game: Buy It Now!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pro Mastery Publishing
• Release date: Mar 10, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386385691

Ace McCloud

Ace McCloud is a full time professional Author dedicated to studying and executing in peak performance strategies, with a specialty in business, health and the world's best success strategies. Ace has become a master at focusing his energy to deliver world class content that is helpful, easy to understand and enjoyable to read. He was born in 1973 and graduated from Salisbury University with degrees in Business and English. Ace has been studying and implementing in self development strategies for the last twenty years, spending thousands of dollars and tremendous amounts of time and energy in this endeavor. His two favorite role models are Tony Robbins and Arnold Schwarzenegger. "It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped." - Tony Robbins “Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.” - Arnold Schwarzenegger "The path to success is to take massive, determined action." - Tony Robbins Ace is a fitness enthusiast, long time body builder, an avid reader and passionate writer. He enjoys writing on subjects that will truly be helpful to thousands of people. Ace has been very successful throughout his life in competitive situations, such as in sales, track and field, games, strength training, running businesses and anything else that he is currently focusing his attention on. Ace has led many teams to victory over the years and during that time has acquired a powerful set of motivational and leadership skills. Ace Attributes his success to his ability to focus his time, energy and strategic thinking skills to a particular goal in a relentless manner until it has been accomplished. Ace makes a strong effort every day to expand his knowledge so that he can bring you world class content each and every time. You can contact Ace at his website to provide your valuable feedback or to check out his incredible books and products at: www.AcesEbooks.com Thanks for reading!

Book preview

Introduction

Take me out to the ball game, take me out to the crowds! This song may remind you of many an American sports movie, or even an experience of your own.  Maybe you’ve always been in the audience, but now you’re finally ready to take a swing at the game yourself.  Perhaps this song sounds completely foreign, but you’re ready to learn about the quintessential American game.  Let’s take a peek inside a critical baseball moment.

The field is a vibrant Kelly green, the surrounding stands filled with throngs of cheering spectators.  They’re a jovial crowd, a mix of all ages and backgrounds.  Most hold a hot dog or a beer in their hands, and some take their baseball very seriously.  The most devoted of these fans were born with their team and will die with that team. 

The game is at the bottom, or second half, of the ninth inning.  Unless somebody ties the score, this will be the end of the game.  The hitting team has players waiting on each of the three bases.  The batter, standing at home plate, is all geared up for his final chance to hit the ball.  A season-ending game is about to finish.  Yet, with the pitcher’s team slightly ahead, this could still be anyone’s win.  In a few moments, one team’s hard work will result in a national win for the year, while the other team’s name will be trashed in the dust, at least until the next season begins.

A hush falls over the field as the pitcher approaches the mound.  He ambles thoughtfully, turning the ball over and over in his hands.  He’s a talented man, a fast pitcher, and there’s no telling if the batter will be able to connect with the ball.  The pitcher makes eye contact with the catcher, who is squatting down just behind the batter.  The catcher makes a series of quick motions.  No one can make sense of them except the pitcher, but he reads them easily.  The catcher has been assessing the batter and now makes his recommendation for the most appropriate pitch.  The pitcher receives the catcher’s sign, slowly nods his acceptance, then rears back and plunges forward, unleashing the ball with ultimate force. 

You can hear the ball fly through the air, gunning straight for the batter’s face.  The catcher smirks as he squats behind the pitcher. He thinks, this is going to be an easy strike, but boy, is he ever wrong!

The batter brings his bat backwards and up over his shoulder before swinging it forward to meet the small white orb.  Crack! goes the bat, and the baseball ricochets out into the universe.  It has all but disappeared into the air; in the night it almost blends with the twinkling stars.  Instantly, the crowd is on their feet, the fans jumping and yelling loudly in their excitement.  Where will the ball go? Will someone on the pitcher’s team catch it to win them the game?

In this case, the answer is no.  The batter stares after the ball, briefly dumbstruck before coming to his senses and tearing off towards first base.  Around he goes, reaching second base, then third, and on home, behind three of his teammates.  The batter is the last to lope onto home plate. The ball has long since made its way into the stands, specifically into the hands of an overjoyed little girl who will probably remember this day for years to come.  The winning batter is immediately engulfed in a cloud of dust, champagne, and uproarious teammates, celebrating their well-deserved win. 

The game is over.  No matter whether the fans support the winning or losing team, they have one thing in common:  they are vitally connected to the sport of baseball.  They are part of a loyal culture that we’ll learn more about in the pages that follow. 

If there is one sport whose origin America can lay claim to, it would definitely be baseball.  Fondly considered America’s favorite pastime, the game probably has its origins in similar games that have been played throughout Europe for centuries, such as cricket, stickball, handball, German Schlagball, and a Russian game called Lapta. However, the game–as we know it–is a genuine American creation, born of the rugged individualism and the independence so essential to survival in the New World.  Whether played in ballparks or in backyards, the game is flexible enough to include any number of players on the field, and cuts across every cultural and socioeconomic grouping.  Every aspect of the game–the field and rules of play, the player positions and strategies, the equipment of ball, bat, and glove–has developed over more than a century of play.

Baseball is also a controversial sport, spawning all kinds of theories and news headlines over the years.  Earliest issues were racism and sexism in the early 1900s; these still can be found in some forms today.  Wherever there is a competition there is also gambling–legal or illegal–and baseball is no exception.  In one instance, angry furor arose when it was discovered that the 1919