Customer Reviews

Ball, Bat and Bishop: THE ORIGIN OF BALL GAMES

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Very interesting, well-researched work into baseball, and the religious roots of the sport, from Egyptian times, when ball games were something directed by the priests, into the middle ages, when priests and bishops officiated ball games, and where there was religious significance to the sports. For a while, baseball dipped into the womb of secularism, where it incubated from rounders and similar activities in England and the U.S., to the underhand game of baseball (softball style).

However, as baseball progressed, the underhand was gradually replaced by the overhand, the sport took root in the United States in the Civil War. It was played by soldiers on both sides. Baseball and football took hold in the United States in the same time period. Professional leagues existed around the time of the civil war (baseball), and soon after it became known as the national pasttime.

The religious nature of baseball, while lost for a time, after superstars began to emerge, notably, Ty Cobb in the early 1900s, through the First World War, and then Babe Ruth in the 1920s, began to reemerge, with an almost religious fervor and devotion attached to the professional sport of baseball, and its teams.

The religious baseball of the 17th century and before, had again regained its religious qualities in the 20th century, which it retained until today. The Olympics also maintains its religiuos fervor, a carry over from its Grecian days, when it was truly a religious rite, combined with sport. Of all sports, the Olympics, professional baseball and the World Cup, retain their quasi-religious devotion.

This book is a link in detailing the historical facts surrounding baseball and is worthwhile reading for sports historians.