Jmore Juniors: How Baseball Became America’s National Pastime

November 10, 2021 Jmore Juniors

By Ben S., Seventh Grade, Krieger Schechter Day School of Chizuk Amuno Congregation

The recent conclusion of the Major League Baseball’s playoffs led fans from around the country to reminisce about the past season and the many that came before it. Baseball, fondly known as “America’s Favorite Pastime,” has a long and influential history.

What is it about baseball that has generated so much popularity and attention throughout the years? A deeper look into past baseball events reveals why baseball has been such a beloved sport among families for centuries.

According to an article published on history.com, about 180 years ago a Civil War hero by the name of Abner Doubleday developed the game of baseball. However, this is actually quite controversial because many believe that baseball was around long before Doubleday.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame claims that by the middle of the 19th century, baseball was played around neighborhoods and schoolyards. It was also very popular in newly industrialized cities in which primarily men worked.

In 1845, a group of New York men established a baseball club, which played its first official baseball game against a group of cricket players.

As time progressed, more ball clubs were established. In 1869, Major League Baseball was founded, and players were paid to play. Honus Wagner, Ty Cobb and Cy Young were some of the iconic players in the 1890s through the early 1900s.

Baseball enthusiast, player and seventh grade Krieger Schechter Day School student Andrew F. says that “all of these players had a great impact on the game of baseball; it was a completely different game back then.”

According to Andrew, players were not focused on hitting home runs like they are nowadays, which made the game a lot simpler than it is now.

Marc K. of Pikesville, a veteran and experienced baseball player and devoted spectator, says that “baseball captures the imagination of the fans. It is such a wonder to watch, a masterpiece of a game.”

Baseball has had a huge impact on the American society in other ways as well. Baseball was one of the major factors that enabled integration and helped progress the civil rights movement. Jackie Robinson was the first African-American baseball player in the big leagues. He is now in the Baseball Hall of Fame and considered one of the best players of his time.

Robinson, who started playing in 1947, set an example for many other great African-American players, like Hank Aaron and Ernie Banks. “Of my time, Hank Aaron was the best baseball player,” Marc says. “He was so talented and set a great example for other African-American players.”

In the 1900s through the 2000s, MLB games peaked in attendance but the numbers have since declined. At the time, baseball players were performing so well. The reasons, however, were a bit more sinister, as many MLB players were taking performance enhancing drugs, more commonly known as steroids.

Some of the most famous players who were guilty of using steroids included Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez. “Bonds was a powerhouse. He hit the farthest ball I have ever seen,” Marc says. Bonds currently holds the record for most home runs of all time, one that likely will never be broken.

From the 1830s to 2021, baseball has always been “The old ballgame.” Now, baseball is not only being played in America but all around the world, including in Japan, Canada, and the Dominican Republic, where baseball is played in the streets.

Ben S. is a seventh grade student at Krieger Schechter Day School of Chizuk Amuno Congregation.