Mason ShawProfessional ConnectionsMr. Lucas 2nd Period, May 23, 2014 Research Paper History It is difficult to trace the origin of modern baseball. Baseball has been played throughout the ages. Although baseball originated in America, where it has been played for years, it dates back to a combination of cricket and "rounders," two games brought to America by European settlers. A popular myth is that Abner Doubleday was a Civil War Union soldier who "invented" or "created" baseball as it is played today. But there is no concrete evidence of this and Doubleday claims to have nothing to do with the game. New York Knickerbocker Base Ball Club Rule Set Rules for baseball can be found as early as 1838 in Philadelphia. The first rules that are like the game of baseball we play today came from the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club in New York. This Ball Club was a group of about thirty men who regularly played baseball games. The rules (as used today) include a diamond-shaped foul-lined field, three strikes-and-outs for a batter, runners must be tagged or put out, and making "balking" illegal. The first official game played under these rules was on June 19, 1846. The game took place in Hoboken, New Jersey, between the Knickerbockers and the New York Baseball Club. The Knickerbockers lost 23-1. The National Pastime The first time baseball was called the “national pastime” came from a New York newspaper titled the New York Mercury in 1856. But this title for baseball came a little early. Baseball at the time was a New York game played primarily by immigrants. People who were new to America adopted the game as their own, creating new baseball bats, while the Knickerbockers continued to thrive... middle of paper... fighting room and light catch/bullpenDay 4- Long ball, stretch itDay 5 - (Sometimes you will start this day, or) relax and prepare for the start of the next daySo, as you can see, there is very little that a beginning pitcher needs to do every day. Other than attending practice, the only things a pitcher really does is stretch, practice, and throw. Works Cited “Origins, Growth, and Changes in the Game of Baseball.” History of Major League Baseball From its beginnings to today. NP, 2004. Web. May 15, 2014."The road to the big leagues." Interview via email. May 3, 2014."Pitching Rotation and the Bullpen." How Baseball Works (A Guide to the Game of Baseball). Np, nd Web. May 13, 2014. Roberts, Sam. "How long is the average career?" The New York Times. TheNew York Times, July 14, 2007. Web. May 9, 2014. Works Cited