The origin of baseball

Archaeologists found portraits of women playing ball games in the tomb of Beni Hasan, built in 2000 BC. Therefore, the earliest "stick" and "ball" activities should be traced back to ancient times. Baseball has a long history. There are patterns similar to playing baseball on some murals in ancient Greece and ancient India.

The origin of modern baseball is said to be a sport that evolved from the cricket game introduced by the British when they immigrated to the United States and the rounders game commonly played in the Boston area. After going through several evolutions and many different names, it was not until 1839 that Abner Doubleday in Cooperstown, New York, USA (where the Baseball Hall of Fame is now located) revised the original game. At the same time, the sport was named "Baseball" and began to be promoted, becoming one of the most popular sports in the United States.

In 1845, American Alexander Joy Cartwright formulated the first ever baseball competition rules to unify the name and playing style. The prescribed field graphics and dimensions are still in use today, and the name Baseball was officially adopted. Most of the rules and regulations are still in use today, and the name Baseball is still in use today. Therefore, modern baseball originated in England and developed in the United States.

In 1839, the first baseball game in history was held in Cuppastown, New York, USA. In 1860, professional baseball players began to appear in the United States. In 1871, the "National Organization of Professional Baseball Players" was established in the United States; in 1876, the organization was renamed the "National Baseball Federation". In 1881, another national professional baseball organization was established, which later became the "National Professional Baseball Association". The first championship game between the two organizations was held in 1884, the "World Baseball Championship". After that, in 1910, then-U.S. President William Howard Taft officially approved baseball as the "national sport" of the United States.

Baseball was introduced to Japan from the United States in 1873. The Nippon Professional Baseball Team was founded in 1934.

After World War II, baseball quickly developed in various European countries. Baseball has been played in more than 100 countries and regions on five continents of the world.

In 1937, the World Baseball Association was established in the United States, and was later renamed the International Baseball Federation. It is the highest leadership organization of the world’s amateur baseball, headquartered in the United States, and its member countries (or regions) have consisted of 20 The number increased from more than 50 in the 1970s to 113.

In 1978, the International Baseball Federation was recognized by the International Olympic Committee. In 1994, the International Baseball Federation established its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. The Chinese Baseball Association joined the International Baseball Federation in March 1981 and the Asian Baseball Federation in 1985.

Baseball is played in 26 countries in Europe. The members of the "European Amateur Baseball Federation" include Italy and other 11 countries. According to statistics from the federation in 1978, there were approximately 50,000 athletes participating in baseball games, 326 pitches, and international competitions such as the Mediterranean Cup and the World Baseball Championship were held.

Baseball is most popular in the United States and Japan. In addition, Taiwan, South Korea, the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries and Latin America are also extremely popular.

Baseball was included in the Olympic Games in 1992.

Baseball was withdrawn from the Olympic Summer Games in 2012.

2013 World Baseball and Softball League Baseball World Rankings

1. Cuba

2. United States

3. Japan

4． Chinese Taipei

5. Netherlands