Baseball is one of the most popular sports in America and has been around since the mid-1800s. However, despite its popularity, there are many facts about baseball that aren’t common knowledge to all sports fans. Here are ten incredible facts about baseball that you probably didn’t know!
The Jackie Robinson Effect
Though baseball is considered a major sport in America, it’s only been around for about 150 years. The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs was founded in 1876. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the majority of Major League players were white Americans; but as African-Americans moved north during World War II, they started playing more often and became more accepted by white players. Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947 when he played his first game with the Brooklyn Dodgers. By 1969 there were eight black players on four teams—the most ever to play at one time since baseball became integrated.
Dodger Blues
The Los Angeles Dodgers have had some rough years in their history. Although they’ve been to three World Series and won one, they haven’t always been a top-notch team. In fact, over their long history, there have been 10 seasons in which LA has either finished with a losing record or not made it to playoffs at all! Read on for more Dodger Blues facts you may not know.
The Strike Zone
Baseball has many rules, including when and where a strike can be thrown. In baseball, any pitch that enters or touches a rectangular zone at least 17 inches wide and 63 inches long (center of home plate to either side of home plate) is considered a strike. If an umpire does not call it a strike then it isn’t one. There are different types of pitches used in baseball such as Fastball, Slider, Curveball, Changeup and Splitter.
Hits and Errors
Did you know that baseball is technically a beat sport? The ball is only supposed to be hit once. That's why it's called a base hit, as in, the runner was able to safely reach base after a hit. Errors are also counted and tracked separately. From dropping fly balls to throwing errors on grounders, players are charged with an error if they commit any of these mistakes.
Touching First Base
Top 10 Facts that you probably didn’t know about baseball: #1-4 . Top 10 can mean top 5, top 20, or any number of items. It's all in the way it's worded. For example, if someone says top 3, this could be interpreted as either the top three facts or the top three worst facts. For example, top 3 could mean a list of either best facts, most difficult to believe facts, most memorable moments of a season, or most watched games by fans. In this blog post we're talking about the top ten amazing facts. I'm sure there are plenty more amazing baseball facts out there and I hope you find them!
The Greatest Outfield Ever?
When you look at baseball history, it’s hard to find a better trio of centerfielders than Mays, Aaron and Musial. If you were to create a starting outfield for any team in baseball history, would those three be your first choice? We think so. Here are 10 amazing facts about these three incredible ballplayers
Baseball in Canada?
There are many myths and rumours surrounding Canadian Baseball, but here are 10 amazing facts you should know. Did you know that there is baseball in Canada? Well, yes. However, it isn’t very popular as a top 10 sport. Instead of North America's pastime, soccer (football) seems to be Canada's favourite sport over baseball with nearly 2 million participants to MLB’s roughly 700,000 players (stats from 2015). Did you also know that... etc...etc...
National Anthems
The Star-Spangled Banner became America's anthem in 1931, when it was officially adopted by Congress. The song was written by Francis Scott Key during a naval battle between American and British forces in Baltimore Harbor during the War of 1812. Key saw an American flag on fire but still flying during a violent storm, which inspired him to write these famous words: O say can you see by dawn's early light / What so proudly we hail'd at twilight's last gleaming.
The Most Beautiful Ballpark Ever Built?
Opened in 1999, Safeco Field holds a special place in my heart. With its breathtaking views of Puget Sound and Seattle's skyline, high-end amenities, and perfectly balanced seating capacity (50,943), Safeco is easily one of the most beautiful ballparks ever built. The ballpark serves as home to MLB's Seattle Mariners. Don't believe me? Here are 10 amazing facts about Safeco Field that will make you appreciate it even more
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