Baseball is as much a part of American life as cars, rock and roll, or Hollywood movies. This game has long been one of the most beloved national pastimes. Its history is full of events that entered the sport annals forever. In our post, we'll tell you about the most interesting of them. Here are just a few baseball facts you'll learn:
- The number of balls used each season
- Features of the evolution of baseball rules
- The speed of the fastest pitch
- Jackie Robinson's contribution to the game
- The role of baseball in American culture
Historical Origins of Baseball
Many fans aren't well versed in baseball history. They're more interested in how many home runs a certain player has hit, which pitcher has the better grip, or who is playing left field. Meanwhile, baseball history has something to surprise you with. You'll find out some exciting and interesting facts from it below.
Myth about Abner Doubleday
Lots of people think that Abner Doubleday invented baseball. This is just a myth. Although Doubleday is a real historical figure from the Civil War era, we have no reliable facts that make him the founding father of baseball games.
Actually, baseball history began in England and other countries. Their residents played various bat and ball games. It was they who formed the basis of baseball, which began to gradually develop throughout the 19th century.
Where did the myth of Abner Doubleday come from then? Some experts believe that it was invented to justify the American origins of the baseball game. But again, we cannot provide you with any evidence that their theory is correct.
Evolution of Baseball Rules
Most fans of baseball games rarely think about the origin of the terms they use. For example, third base, batter hit, double play, sacrifice bunt, and nine innings are so commonplace that they're taken for granted. It's hard to believe, but many of them didn't exist at one time. These and other phrases have entered the lexicon of fans and players as baseball rules have evolved.
Pro baseball is a sport whose rules were developed during the 19th century. They could vary significantly depending on the location of the games and the traditions adopted in a particular area. The more popular this sport became, the more it needed standardization of rules. The turning point for baseball games came in 1840.
At that time, the so-called The Knickerbocker Rules appeared. They were invented by a baseball club from New York. Their main purpose was to codify various aspects of the game. Experts consider them something of a starting point. Subsequently, the rules were changed several times. This process continues today and it can last as long as our favorite sport exists.
Most Interesting Facts About Baseball
In this section, we've collected for you the most interesting facts related to baseball. It doesn't matter which one team you support. We're more than sure that the info from here will greatly expand your horizons. Let's get down to business!
Jackie Robinson Broke the Color Barrier in Major League Baseball
It may seem wild to a modern person, but there were racial barriers in US sports once. For some time, African Americans were barred from entering professional baseball. The situation changed thanks to Jackie Robinson.
In 1947, this exceptional baseball player broke the color barrier once and for all. Since then, Major League Baseball has been open to all players regardless of race or skin color. As for Robinson's pro qualities, many experts noted them as quite high.
Special Mud is Used to Prepare Baseballs for MLB Games
Before the start of all games, Major League Baseball umpires rub the balls with a special mud. It's called Lena Blackburne Baseball Rubbing Mud that is mined from the Delaware River. Its main purpose is to remove sheen from balls.
The mud provides better grip for professional pitchers. Additionally, its use is essential to ensure the safety of any baseball player who interacts with the ball. The mud reduces the likelihood of dislocations, muscle strains, and other common injuries.
Tradition of Assigning Numbers to Players Started in 1907
The numbers help fans quickly identify players of both teams from long distances. At first, they were assigned depending on the order of batting. After some time, the numbers were made permanent. For players of some teams, they even became iconic.
Today, the numbers are important not only for fans. They help the players of any baseball team develop an identity and nurture established traditions. It's simply impossible to imagine the modern game without uniforms with numbers. It's like trying to play baseball without a bat!
First Major League World Series Was Held in 1903
In the Major League World Series, the champions of two other leagues met. We're talking about the National League and American League. The competition was won by the Boston Pilgrims. The losing team was the Pittsburgh Pirates.
This World Series made a significant contribution to the development of baseball. This sport has strengthened its position as a national pastime. Plus, it united the two leagues, which had a positive effect on the growth of the sport popularity.
Over 900,000 Baseballs Are Used Each MLB Season
When teams face off on a baseball field, it's unlikely that fans can guess how many balls are used in each season. However, their number is absolutely staggering: 900,000! This incredible figure is due to a wide range of reasons.
For instance, a ball change may be required after a hit for a home run. The large number of balls indicates that baseball is a very equipment-intensive sport. Playing it means using the best tools. Every bat, ball, and glove must be of the highest quality.
Fastest Pitch is 105.1 mph
We continue our review of fascinating facts about baseball. It's time to tell you about the fastest pitch. Its speed was an incredible 105.1 mph. The record was set by Aroldis Chapman. Exceptional speed was one of the main features of this closer which is well known to fans of the game.
Chapman's achievement isn't just another record. He proved with his pitching that players from Major League Baseball can easily push the limits. The pitched ball flew at over 100 mph demonstrated to the world Aroldis's extraordinary strength and athleticism.
Fenway Park is the Oldest MLB Stadium Still in Use
Fenway Park is a special place that almost all Boston Americans are truly proud of. This legendary stadium has been hosting thrilling Major League Baseball matches since 1912. Today, it's the home arena of the Boston Red Sox.
Countless games have been played at Fenway Park. At times, dramatic baseball battles took place here. Some of them are remembered to this day. Overall, the stadium is a kind of living museum. It serves as an example of how the sport we all love remains popular for decades and connects different generations of Americans.
Ray Chapman's Tragic Injury in 1920
When two teams meet in a confrontation, it may seem that the players aren't in any danger. And really, baseball isn't such a traumatic sport as boxing or wrestling. However, this doesn't mean that it's completely safe. The tragic fate of Ray Chapman confirms our words.
In 1920, Ray played in a regular Major League Baseball match. When the thrown ball hit him in the head, he lost consciousness. The injured player was immediately taken to hospital. Unfortunately, he died the next day.
The tragic accident that resulted in Ray's death is the only such incident in the history of Major League Baseball. After this happened, wearing helmets during any game became mandatory. The helmets protect players' heads and significantly reduce the risk of injury.
Baseball Trivia and Rules
A post about baseball facts would be incomplete if we didn't dwell in detail on some aspects of the game rules. That's exactly what we'll do in this section. So, it'll be useful for you to know the following interesting facts related to the rules.
The Ground Rule Triple
The ground rule triple occurs when a batted ball bounces and goes through or over the fence. It's also used if the ball hits the so-called designated out-of-play area. In both cases, the batter is awarded third base. The place where the ball ended up doesn't matter.
The ground rule triple was introduced to prevent teams from gaining unfair advantages due to field obstacles or configurations. Note that batters aren't always happy with this rule. They may hit the ball expecting a home run, but instead they end up with a triple.
An MLB Baseball Lasts Six Pitches
You might be surprised, but the average lifespan of a ball is only six pitches. It's replaced for various reasons. The most common of them are dirt, abrasions, and deformation. The latter occurs after contact with a bat or falling to the ground.
MLB umpires constantly inspect the balls and replace them with new ones if they deviate from the standards. This provides consistency in the playing. Equal chances for batting and fielding teams are the foundation of fair games. All aspects of the rules strive towards this goal.
12 Seconds to Pitch
Current rules require pitchers to throw pitches within 12 seconds of receiving balls from catchers. By talking about baseball facts, we remind you of this requirement because many fans often forget it. At the same time, twelve-second pitches increase the tempo of playing and eliminate delays.
If pitchers fail to pitch within the allotted time, umpires may call a ball. The origins of this rule should be sought in games played in the past. In the old days, some pitchers would deliberately drag out their pitches. Now, they cannot do this, which increases the efficiency of playing.
A Big Trade in 1957
In 1957, the New York Yankees and the Kansas City Athletics made a rather unusual trade. It included the entire roster that played in the minor league. Although the reasons for these radical changes have been controversial, the event that occurred remains unique in baseball
A big trade has once again proven that professional sports aren't as simple as many people think. In order to improve the efficiency of playing, different teams are sometimes ready to take less than drastic measures. In some situations, this produces excellent results.
Baseball's Role in American Society
In American society, certain facts about baseball are often discussed even by people who don't really like it. This has a simple explanation. Baseball is an integral part of the country's culture. They even write children's books and stage theatrical productions about it. Want to know more? Read this section!
Breaking the Color Barrier
In 1947, one of the greatest events in the history of US baseball occurred. Until that year, black players were barred from entering the Major League. The color barrier was broken by Jackie Robinson, who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Robinson's emergence in the Major League goes far beyond the sporting realm. Some people consider this event to be one of the turning points in the civil rights movement. Although Jackie has been the subject of racist attacks on numerous occasions, he coped with difficult trials with dignity. Not to mention that fans without racial prejudice admired his high-class playing.
Baseball During Wartime
When two world wars were raging in Europe, they had a negative impact on America as well. During difficult times for the country, baseball was something of a national outlet. It symbolized a peaceful life and distracted from the worries caused by bloody conflicts.
The wars affected not only regular Americans but also some of the pro players. When they played or joined the army, they were held up as examples of true patriots. In addition, baseball boosted morale and united the nation in the face of great adversity.
Conclusion
Sadly, we can't tell you all the interesting facts in one post. There are so many of them that even a large book of a thousand pages would hardly be enough to describe all. Still, we hope that you liked our selection and learned a lot of new things. It remains to add that our team will be glad if you bookmark our blog to follow its updates.
FAQ
What are facts about baseball?
These are interesting facts that help fans to better understand the features of their favorite game. For instance, this could be the total number of balls used for playing each season. There are over 900,000 of them. Interesting facts like these broaden your horizons.
What are some odd facts about baseball?
A good example of an odd fact is players spitting tobacco juice and sunflower seeds. This long-standing tradition seems very strange to many people. Another surprising fact is that the balls are rubbed with mud. This increases the safety of playing.
What was baseball originally called?
The exact original name is unknown. On the other hand, you may come across the following variations: base ball, goal ball, round ball, bass ball, fetch-catch, and stool ball.
What is the rarest thing in baseball?
Among the numerous baseball terms, the concept of The Perfect Game is very rare. When playing on the field, a game like this can be shown by pitchers who retire every batter without hits, walks, and errors. This has happened 24 times in MLB history.
What is the National Baseball Hall?
The National Baseball Hall is a famous museum in Cooperstown, which is located in the state of New York. There, you can see exhibits that tell about the history of the game and the people who played it or made a great contribution to its development.
When did the first baseball game take place?
The first baseball game recorded as official took place on June 19, 1846. This happened in the city of Hoboken from the state of New Jersey. The first teams that officially played then were the New York Nine and the New York Club.
