Discipline's origin

   Baseball is a sport which was primarily developed in the United States in the early 19th century. Legend has it that the sport was invented by Abner Doubleday in Cooperstown, New York, but that legend has been largely discredited, and Doubleday should instead be recognised for being an American Civil War hero. The sport is based on several earlier British sports, such as rounders and cricket, which were popular in the 17th and 18th century. After its early development in the United States, professional teams and leagues were later formed, especially the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players in 1871, the first formal professionalorganisation. Five years later, in 1876, this organisation was replaced by the National League of Professional Baseball Clubs.

   Baseball later spread to many nations, notably Japan, Taiwan, Australia, and also to many Latin American countries, including Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Puerto Rico. Cuba's first professional league was formed in 1878, only two years after the National League in the United States. Many Latin Americans have played in the American Major Leagues.

   Olympic history

   American baseball was contested in the Olympics as a demonstration sport in 1912, 1936, 1956, 1964, 1984 and 1988. Finnish baseball (pesäpallo) was a demonstration sport during the 1952 Helsinki Games. American baseball became a full medal sport in Barcelona in 1992, while the similar sport of softball was added to the Olympic programme in 1996. The United States no longer dominates this sport in international play, as the Cubans and several Central American countries produce excellent teams.

Credit: IOC

For further info., please visit http://www.olympic.org/uk/sports/programme/disciplines_uk.asp?DiscCode=BB.