Who introduced Baseball, a game that is a simplified version of Rounders, a game played by young girls in the Primary Schools of the UK, and introduced it to America? Why did it become so popular?

Flynn_17

I mean, who introduced Baseball to the world, and then who introduced it to America. It looks a little muddled. Jun 30 05, 3:27 PM

lanfranco

It is. The fact is that games involving a stick and a ball are age-old, and it is not even clear that baseball developed from Rounders. The old legend that Abner Doubleday "invented" baseball in the U.S. has long been called into question. Here's a detailed site on the subject: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baseball_origins Jun 30 05, 3:40 PM

lanfranco

Addendum: if you think baseball is "simple," then you know nothing about it. I've been married to a serious baseball fan for 19 years, and I still haven't grasped the extremely complicated and byzantine rules of this game. Ever heard of the Infield Fly Rule, Flynn? Jun 30 05, 3:46 PM

gmackematix

I suppose that if you don't have an interest in the rules or the players a lot of sports look "simplified". As in a ball is hit between who-cares and I-don't-give-a-damn. Jun 30 05, 5:03 PM

robboy

No, no, no, gmac. You've got it all wrong. Who's on first, What's on second and I Don't Know's on third. Get it right, please. Oh, and I Don't Give a DARN is the shortstop. http://www.baseball-almanac.com/humor4.shtml Jun 30 05, 6:20 PM

Flynn_17

Lanfranco, have you ever actually played Rounders? Try hitting a ball from closer range moving faster with one hand and a smaller bat. Jul 01 05, 8:09 AM

lanfranco

I'm not claiming that Rounders is simple, only that baseball is extremely complex. Jul 01 05, 8:51 AM

gmackematix

Mind you, anything can be made to appear complicated if you make up enough obfuscating terminology about every detail and create enough statistics about anything that can be counted or measured. Or am I being very cynical again? Jul 02 05, 9:06 PM

peasypod

Bit like me with the 'off side rule' in soccer. Apart from my usual 'Who gives a..' I'm regularly mocked about that one. Who would ever think I'm Italian? Jul 02 05, 9:16 PM

lanfranco

Ever hung out in an Italian post office, peasy? I know an Italian sociologist who regularly, if tongue-in-cheek, advises his compatriots to take their vacations in U.S. post offices, "because they are so peaceful." But you're right, gmack. Baseball is largely a confusing miscellany of rules, exceptions to rules, and exceptions to the exceptions. I accept that; but non-Americans who sneer at baseball generally haven't bothered to learn anything about the game. Jul 03 05, 5:43 PM

peasypod

Don't get me started on Italian Post offices, almost as frustrating as hanging out in the bank....if you can stand the cigarette smoke for long enough. Jul 03 05, 5:50 PM