For an untrained eye, the rules and tactics of baseball can appear daunting and inaccessible. But to those who truly love the game, and understand the nuances of its play, there is simply no other sport like it. It is the ultimate team sport, with its own unique language and culture, that attracts a devoted following that few can match. And there is nothing more exhilarating than attending Opening Day at a sold-out ballpark with a full crowd cheering your team to victory.
While many sports require exceptional skill, baseball demands both exceptional endurance and the ability to make adjustments throughout the course of a game. This combination of mental and physical exertion has helped develop the sport into an international pastime, with a fanbase that spans across continents and cultures. The game’s roots extend deep into American history, with its first pro teams emerging in the era of Reconstruction that followed America’s bloodiest civil war.
The game is played over nine untimed innings, with one team batting on offense while the other plays defense. Each inning begins with the batter swinging at pitches thrown by the opposing pitcher. If the batter makes contact, he or she is awarded a base on balls and can run the bases until reaching home plate. The opposing team then takes their turn on offense, while the defending team hurls and fields all balls hit in the infield and outfield.
Throughout the game, players and managers trade glances and communicate quietly with one another through a series of hand signals. While it may seem confusing at times, the use of these simple gestures adds to the game’s rich tradition and helps maintain a high level of discipline on the field.
From the beginning, the game was a national obsession and a major source of pride for Americans. Its popularity soared during the Civil War, with soldiers on both sides taking time out to play the game. The Cincinnati Red Stockings were the first openly professional team, established in 1869, and spent the next year barnstorming across America to take on all challengers.
As the game evolved, advances in strength training and nutrition aided the development of larger, faster players with a greater capacity for endurance. Combined with the burgeoning of the media, it made for a compelling spectacle that became the envy of the world.
Baseball and the media have enjoyed a symbiotic relationship since newspapers began to cover games in the 1860s. By the early 1900s, games in progress could be telegraphed to saloons around the country.
The game’s growth in the latter half of the twentieth century saw it expanding from a total of sixteen teams to its current thirty-two franchises. As the league continues to expand, it has been criticized for sacrificing competitive balance in pursuit of revenue and a larger global market. Nevertheless, expansion has been relatively frequent, with several new teams joining the league in the last few decades.