The origins of baseball. The question of the origins of baseball has been the subject of debate and controversy for more than a century. Baseball (and softball), as well as the other modern bat, ball and running games, cricket and rounders, developed from earlier folk games.Although the roots of baseball are English, similar games have also been played in other parts of the world. Oina is a Romanian ball sport, similar in some ways to baseball. Russia had a bat and ball game called Lapta since the 14th century. Germans played a game called Schlagball, which was similar to rounders. A "bowler" threw a ball to a "striker," who hit it with a club and then tried to run around a circuit of bases without getting hit with the ball by a defender.
Americans played a version of the English game rounders in the early 1800s which they called "Town Ball". In fact, early forms of baseball had a number of names, including "Base Ball", "Goal Ball", "Round Ball", "Fletch-catch","stool ball", and simply "Base". In at least one version of the game, teams pitched to themselves, runners went around the bases in the opposite direction of today's game, and players could be put out by being hit with the ball like in Schlagball. Like today, however, it was three strikes and you're out.¹
This webpage features the best baseball sites on the web. If you love baseball, you'll love these sites.
Great Baseball Sites
- Ace's Baseball World - Posters, Books & Apparel - Source for baseball stories and poems online, baseball links, baseball posters and photos, books, baseball jerseys, t-shirts and equipment.
- ACME Dodgers - A Los Angeles Dodgers site offering a complete view of the Dodgers, present, past and future.
- A NY Mets Fanatic in Europe - A Blog Dedicated to Baseball and the New York Mets with news, observations and links to podcasts by the author Phil Naessens.
- Baseball & The Boogie Down - News, opinions and discussion about the greatest team in baseball, the 27-time World Champion New York Yankees.
- The Baseball Docent - Taking you on a tour of all things baseball,sharing personal stories as they relate to baseball, be it professional or otherwise.
- Baseball Evolution - Chronicling baseball throughout the ages. Unique statistics, player rankings, irreverent humor, and more.
- Baseball Math: Figuring Statistics - An understandable guide to figuring (computing, calculating) baseball statistics (Batting Average, Slugging Percentage, On Base Percentage and more) with examples and test problems.
- Baseball Pick'em 2010 - The fun alternative or addition to Fantasy Baseball. Pick the winners of MLB games in 4 different games. Entry is free and is open to all baseball fans.
- Boston Red Thoughts - Red Sox Commentary from a Red-Headed Boston Fan in Yankeeland
- Boston Sports Rants - A Boston Sports Blog by a rabid Boston Sports fan. Everything you need to know about the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics and Bruins from a fan’s perspective.
- BostonSportsU18.com - a website developed for the passionate Boston Sports Fan under the age of 18. With youth sports bloggers, pictures, videos, training and nutrition tips and games, BostonSportsU18.com offers kids a fun way to enjoy the local teams.
- The Bottom Line: A Red Sox blog - The Bottom Line in Red Sox coverage, complete with daily posts, game recaps, news, and analysis.
- Braves-Report - Come and talk Braves baseball with the best Braves fans on the Internet! We've also got a blog, forum, YouTube commentary, fantasy leagues, an arcade, and everything else you need.
- Broad and Pattison.com - A daily journey through Phillies history, including significant events and games, roster transactions, player birthdays, and debuts.
- Bullpen Brian - A blog about MLB with an emphasis on the Chicago Cubs.
- Bush League Times - If you are looking for serious coverage of the Chicago Cubs, this isn't the place for you. It's a place to laugh, vent and make fun of the craptastic local media coverage of the Chicago Cubs.
- Cardinals Best News Links - Where All The St. Louis Cardinals News & Rumors Links Come To One Spot. I Do The Research, You Do The Reading.
- The Chuck Knoblog - "Comin' At You Like One of Chuck's Errant Throws!" It's a yankee blog covering everything.
- Dan Weisman, Baseball Investigator - Watching the wonderful world of baseball, one satellite feed at a time...Specializing in the fascinating, informative and obscure.
- DesCon Sports Memorabilia - Your online source for Sports Memorabilia including Sports Photos, Sports Plaques, Sports Autographs, Sports t-shirts and more! Come on in, take a load off.
- Elect Mike Mussina - A Mike Mussina fan site that advocates the induction of the Moose into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
- FenwayParkFans.com - one of the best websites for The Boston Red Sox and their fans!
- The Glove Medic - Baseball and Softball Glove Relacing, Cleaning, and Conditioning Services
- Indians Gab - your one-stop source for all the latest Cleveland Indians news, predictions, tidbits and commentary.
- New Hampshires Red Sox Nation - NHRSN is a Red Sox fan site. Here you will find up to date news and rumors, blog, forum, NHRSN fan section, 2 online stores. All coming to you from Carlton "Pudge" Fisk's childhood home town.
- Orioles Gab - your one-stop source for all the latest Baltimore Orioles news, predictions, tidbits and commentary.
- Phillies Gab - your one-stop source for all the latest Philadelphia Phillies news, predictions, tidbits and commentary.
- PhoulBallz.com - A MLB blog with a key focus on the Phillies organization for Fox Sports 1310 AM in Monmouth County, NJ.
- Pirates Gab - your one-stop source for all the latest Pittsburgh Pirates news, predictions, tidbits and commentary.
- Pittsburgh Sports Tavern - Pittsburgh Sports Message Board And Fan Community. Where Penguins, Steelers and Pirates fans come together.
- PBI - Pro Baseball Insider - Over 100 pages of quality, free baseball instruction written by professional baseball players, as well as some product info and our insider blog. Coming soon, free instructional videos and baseball drills.
- The Reds Report - your one-stop source for all the latest Cincinnati Reds news, predictions, tidbits and commentary.
- Red Sox Gab - your one-stop source for all the latest Boston Red Sox news, predictions, tidbits and commentary.
- The San Francisco Giants Blog - A San Francisco Giants Blog and Fan Site.
- SoxPlanet.com - Fan-run home of the Boston Red Sox. Featuring a great message board with a laid-back, tailgating atmosphere where you can talk about the Sox, baseball, politics, or even your pet otter. Fans of all teams welcome.
- St. Louis Monarchs - The home page of the St. Louis Monarchs, an adult baseball team that is located in St. Louis, Missouri, and plays all over.
- Tales from Aisle 424 - thoughts, feelings and rants about the Chicago Cubs and baseball based on one fan's conversations with his "summer family," his cohorts in Aisle 424 of Wrigley Field since 1998.
- The Tribe Daily - provides fresh, daily analysis of the Cleveland Indians with details.
- The Triumphant Red Sox Fan Forum - Keeping the Faith Since 1999!
- True Grich - a blog from a lifelong Angel fan and season ticket holder, who attends more than 70 games a year, including some road games, spring training and visits to other baseball stadiums around the country... I'm someone who is passionate about the Angels, hates the A's and no longer acknowledges the existence of John Lackey.
- White Sox Gab - your one-stop source for all the latest Chicago White Sox news, predictions, tidbits and commentary.
- Yankees Chick - Who says women can't know baseball? Read rants, vents and musings from a die-hard Yanks fan.
- Yankees Fan Discount - The Ultimate Yankees website on the Internet for information about the New York Yankees and tickets to Home Games at Yankee Stadium.
- Yankees Gab - your one-stop source for all the latest New York Yankees news, predictions, tidbits and commentary.
Listed Sites
I've attempted to list quality sites here. If a site is no longer worthy, I will delete it.
Please note: no reciprocation is necessary to be listed here, but, if you have a link page, it is appreciated.
© Copyright 2003- by Ace Toscano. All rights reserved.
¹ wikipedia.org
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