Evolution of Baseball Rules

The adoption of uniform rules in 1857 marked the familiar format of baseball we know today, with 9 players per team and 9 innings per game. Major John W. Griffith, a World War I U.S. Army veteran, believed competition would instill courage in youngsters, leading to the creation of the nation's first organized youth baseball league by the American Legion. The game evolved from various sporting traditions like cricket and rounders, and 'Doc' Adams is considered by some as the true 'Father of Baseball.' Baseball has seen constant changes throughout history despite its reputation for foundational solidity in American culture.