A History of early baseball: Playing for keeps : 1857-1876

In baseball terms, Warren Goldstein's book is a walk, not a hit. It's good, but you always feel there was a more satisfying way to get to first base. As a fan of baseball and an avid reader of history, this book seemed like a natural fit for me, but while decent, there was also something missing. Covering the history of baseball up to 1876 (when the National League came into being), The History of Early Baseball follows the development of the sport from an amateur recreation to a professional competition. In the beginning (in the 1850s), the early versions of baseball were played by clubs who would occasionally compete with each other. There wasn't much rhyme or reason to which teams played each other or even the exact rules. The people who played were from all walks of life, and it was strictly a part-time activity. Eventually, however, the game got refined. Players started playing specific positions and the best players started representing the clubs. Eventually, to guarantee that such players wouldn't defect, money got into the equation. The transition from amateur recreation to professional sport was gradual but inevitable. The principal flaw with the book is that Goldstein writes as a historian, and this subject may be better covered by a sports writer. Goldstein is interested in the changing economics of the game and the struggle between the management and the players. This is a fine subject, but the result is that we lose some sense of the sport itself. We don't read much about particular players or teams or games; in addition, the different rules of the 19th century game are not discussed in depth (with the exception of the "fly-ball rule"). Every baseball era has its stars, from Cap Anson to Ty Cobb to Babe Ruth to Ted Williams to Hank Aaron; certainly the early baseball era should have a couple, too, but Goldstein really doesn't discuss these people. Overall, I enjoyed this book, and many baseball fans will too. The problem I mentioned does not keep the book from being an interesting read, but it does prevent it from getting a five star rating. Nonetheless, this is a recommended read for fans of the game.

A nicely written book regarding the beginings of base ball from 1857 - 1876. A great book for the baseball historian.

Warren Goldstein has written a extensive book on the early beginnings of baseball as a national past-time. He begins with the formation of base ball clubs during the 1850's and takes the history through the formation of the National League in 1876. During this time he highlights the transformation from a game played for fun and recreation to one played as a business. His insight into the history of the post-Civil War Era and the Industrial Revolution add to the social aspect of why baseball emerged into the professional sport which it became. He uses primary sources and footnotes them readily throughout the book. This is a must book for any fan of the game who wants to know the social evolution of the game as well as the famous participants and teams.