Baseball is known as America's pastime, but as evidenced by competition at the World Baseball Classic in 2010, the sport has become a national game in countries throughout Asia, Latin America and even Europe. The diamond-shaped field has become an iconic symbol unique to the sport.
History
The origins of baseball are not completely unique to the United States. The Greeks, Persians and Egyptians all played versions of stick and ball games, where the focus was to hit the ball with a stick. A game called rounders likely influenced the formation of baseball as it was brought to America by early English settlers. The goal of rounders was to hit a ball and round the field of bases without being tagged out. Rounders was considered a child's game until the 1800s, when its popularity increased. Teams began to form at military bases, colleges and town centers. The first set of baseball rules was published by Alexander Cartwright in 1845. By 1866, teams had formed from Maine to Oregon.
Diamond
The origins of the diamond-shaped field are somewhat of a mystery. Author Jason Porterfield says that according to legend, baseball started in Cooperstown, New York, in 1839. A young soldier named Abner Doubleday created a diamond field in a cow pasture, making notes about the rules and specific dimensions of the field. Doubleday later denied this was true.
Infield and Outfield
The baseball infield is really a square at an angle. The reason the field is diamond-shaped is because there are four bases that need to be equal distances apart. Each base is 90 feet apart and at a 90-degree angle, thus the formation of a diamond.
Elysian Fields
Elysian Fields, in Hoboken, New Jersey, is considered to be the first diamond-shaped field where baseball was played, according to "The Baseball Fan's Bucket List." Though the area, as of 2011, consists of apartments and stores, there are a few indications left. There is a commemorative plaque that reads the first game of baseball was played there and an outline of the diamond field.
References
- "Baseball: Rules, Tips, Strategy and Safety"; Jason Porterfield; 2007
- "Baseball"; Clive Gifford; 2009
- "The Baseball Fan's Bucket List"; Robert Santelli, Jenna Santelli; 2010
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