Baseball is considered the national sport of America. Whether one enjoys playing on a neighborhood team or just watching a major league game on television, baseball offers a wide range of enjoyment for all.

Although the origin of this sport is cloudy, it is thought to have emerged from ball games called "poisoned ball" and "one cat." Abner Doubleday has received the credit for setting up the first baseball diamond and team in Cooperstown, New York in 1839. In 1845 the New York Knickerbockers became the first organized team in America.

The Cincinnati Red Sox were the first professional ball club to be organized. After the start of the Cincinnati team many more teams were organized, and in 1875 the National league was born. The National league like the American league, which was formed in 1900, consisted of eight different clubs. Together these two leagues became known as the Major Leagues.

On the 100th anniversary of baseball, recognition was paid to Abner Doubleday by erecting the "Baseball Hall of Fame" in Cooperstown, New York. The first players elected to the "Hall" were Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Cristy Mathewson, Babe Ruth, and Honus Wagner.