History of the Baseball Patent

This item plays a crucial role in one of America’s favorite pastimes.

While baseball is alleged to have been miraculously invented by Abner Doubleday in Cooperstown, New York, during the summer of 1893, in reality nothing could be further from the truth. The story was concocted in 1907 by a commission formed by A.J. Spaulding to determine the Baseball’s origin. Undoubtedly, Spaulding was hoping to spin a story of nationalist pride for “America's favorite pastime.”

The first references to games similar to Baseball date back to the 18th century. The pastime is believed to have been derived from two English games: rounders and cricket. In September 1845, a group of New Yorkers founded the New York Knickerbocker club, which set rules that formed the basis for modern baseball. They outlined a diamond shaped infield, foul lines, and the famous three strike rule. In 1846, the Knickerbockers played the first official game of baseball against cricket players. 

John Maynard’s Baseball patent was issued in July of 1927, long after the first game of baseball had been played. However, his patent defined the ball architecture we use today: a ball covered in two panels of leather, stitched together in a small seam.

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