History

The history of baseball is a fascinating story that reflects the development of America itself. although baseball has had many changes, throughout its history, more has stayed the same than changed.

The game has always involved two teams playing one large field with four bases. the teams take turns batting and playing in the field. 

Baseballs origins aren't completely known. baseball may have evolved from an English game called "rounders" in witch players hit pitched balls with bats. rounders was popular in the 1600s. 

Until the mid-1800s, baseball was played by different rules in different areas. some historians believe that players in New your city made the most significant rule change in the 1830s or 1840s when they began tyouching the runner with the ball in their hands(a tag), rather than throwing the ball at the runner. alexander Cartwright created the first organized system of playing baseball in 1845 when he formed a club- the knickerbocker base ball club of new york- just for playing baseball. he also wrote a rule book the sport. according to his rule book players made a put out by tagging a runner and the distance between  was set at 90feet.                           

Early catchers wore little or no safety equipment. Spurred by pro players, the first catchers masks were developed in the 1870's.  this model is from near  the turn of the century. It would not be until the years before World War 1 that catchers regularly began using chest protectors and shin guards.