Baseball: Then and Now Essay

The game of baseball has now acquire beyond question the leading feature of the outdoor sports of the United StatesIt is a game which is peculiarly suited to the the Statesn temperament and disposition in short, the pastime suits the people, and the people suit the pastime(Charles Peverelly, 1866). Although baseball is still the Statess favorite pastime, the way it is compriseed has channelised greatly since its macrocosm in the 1800s. baseball game was originally created so there would be some topic the boys could do to keep busy during the summer months. Now, baseball has miscellanyd greatly because of technological and proficiency advancements, overtop alterations, and the commercialization of the game.Since its origination in the mid(prenominal) 1800s, baseball has undergone numerous changes and advancements in technology and technique. When it was first played, there was no such thing as a glove used to help catch the ball. The fielders would play b ar-handed, making li ne drives automatic hits and ground balls redden harder to handle. The bat has undergone many another(prenominal) another(prenominal) changes as well. Batters used to hit the ball with a bat that had a flat side. This was comparable to a cricket paddle except to a greater extent or less longer and slimmer. Now, players of any age or level use bonkers that ar cylinder shaped with a slightly wider section on the end.In the 1800s, the general public was not as safety orientated as is instantlys society. This is shown by the complete lack of helmets feeble by players in the mid 1800s. Now, helmets are required by rule to be worn by the batter when he is hitting. Helmets are do of a highly durable, shock absorbent outer shell with flocculent interior padding for comfort. Other advances were demonstrated by the change in staggering style and technique. The first pitchers threw two kinds of pitches a high pitch and a low pitch. Then, they added outside and inside pitches. After that, change ups and fastballs were developed. Now, sliders, sinkers, curveballs, forkballs, screwballs, and knuckleballs are routine pitches.As a result of todays pitchers equivalent Pedro Martinez and Greg Maddux who throw less hittable pitches hitting techniques have been worked on, and players have become split up hitters. Forexample, the first great hitters such as Babe ruth and paddy field Mantle would not be able to compete with Alex Rodriguez and Barry Bonds the best batters of today. The advancements in technology and style have completely changed the way baseball is played, as have the many changes that were made to the rulebook.Since its early beg anatomy in the mid 1800s through 1975, baseball has developed and modified many old(a) rules into new rules that keep the game flowing. In 1889, a rule was introduced that if quaternary balls were thrown during the span of one players at-bat, the player was allowed to pass to first base. This was an immense change fro m the old rule, which stated that if nine pitches check were thrown during the at-bat, the hitter would walk to first base. Also that year, the batter could be thrown just now three strikes before he was called out. In 1969, a standard strike zone was added that included the area from the batters armpits to the top of his knees.These three rules eliminated the lengthy at bats that slowed down the game, regularise play, and made less room for controversial called strikes or balls. Not only were changes made in the playing rules, there were also many changes in the equipment rules. In 1889, the catcher was allowed to wear a padded leather script and a chest protector. This rule made being the catcher more bearable. By 1893, bat size and shape was enforced, and in 1975, the last change was made the baseball could be covered with cowhide because of the shortage of horses. Because of the plethora of changes that were made to the rulebook, baseball today contrasts baseball in the 1800 s.The most express cause of the changes in baseball is the amount of commercialization that occurs today. The schoolmaster baseball players of today are shown on TV and in newspapers their replica jerseys are sold at around $70 per item and the players make an intermediate of $600,000 per year. Compared to the absence of salary until the 1920s, this is a major difference. In 1922, Babe Ruth made $50,000 in 1989, Kirby Puckett made $3,000,000 and in 2000, Alex Rodriguez made $27,000,000. Many players of today play for money, not for their love of the game like they used to. This shows that baseball is no longer a game, but a job. Another change is the publicity baseball receives. Stadiums today can hold as many as 62,409people (Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia).The first ball parks did not even have a place for spectators to watch. Not only do professional stadiums attract viewers, but they attract salesmen and the media. For example, Hormel does not provide 7th inning stretch enter tainment to show their support for baseball they do it just to advertise to a in truth large crowd for a very small price. Baseball today has grown quick into a organize for cheap advertising and money-making. With the emphasis and importance of baseball on Americans lives today, it has rapidly grown into Americas favorite pastime.Through technological and technique advancements, rule alterations, and the commercialization of the game, baseball has changed greatly from the unorganized backyard game into Americas favorite pastime. I think Little League Baseball is wonderful. It keeps the kids out of the house. (Yogi Berra, 1954)