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Baseball before We Knew It: A Search for the Roots of the Game
It may be America’s game, but no one seems to know how or when baseball really started. Theories abound, myths proliferate, but reliable information has been in short supply—until now, when Baseball before We Knew It brings fresh new evidence of baseball’s origins into play. David Block looks into the early history of the game and of the 150-year-old debate about its beginnings. He tackles one stubborn misconception after another, debunking the enduring belief that baseball descended from the English game of rounders and revealing a surprising new explanation for the most notorious myth of all—the Abner Doubleday–Cooperstown story.
Block’s book takes readers on an exhilarating journey through the centuries in search of clues to the evolution of our modern National Pastime. Among his startling discoveries is a set of long-forgotten baseball rules from the 1700s. Block evaluates the originality and historical significance of the Knickerbocker rules of 1845, revisits European studies on the ancestry of baseball which indicate that the game dates back hundreds, if not thousands of years, and assembles a detailed history of games and pastimes from the Middle Ages onward that contributed to baseball’s development. In its thoroughness and reach, and its extensive descriptive bibliography of early baseball sources, this book is a unique and invaluable resource—a comprehensive, reliable, and readable account of baseball before it was America’s game. Purchase the audio edition.
Block’s book takes readers on an exhilarating journey through the centuries in search of clues to the evolution of our modern National Pastime. Among his startling discoveries is a set of long-forgotten baseball rules from the 1700s. Block evaluates the originality and historical significance of the Knickerbocker rules of 1845, revisits European studies on the ancestry of baseball which indicate that the game dates back hundreds, if not thousands of years, and assembles a detailed history of games and pastimes from the Middle Ages onward that contributed to baseball’s development. In its thoroughness and reach, and its extensive descriptive bibliography of early baseball sources, this book is a unique and invaluable resource—a comprehensive, reliable, and readable account of baseball before it was America’s game. Purchase the audio edition.
352 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 4, 2022
Baseball is a "what have you done for me lately?" kind of game. That partially explains the lack of clear information on the game's earliest origins. Many fans are satisfied with the myth (discredited almost from its creation) that Abner Doubleday invented baseball out of whole cloth in Cooperstown. And some fans are only interested in baseball history that can be explained through statistics. Little wonder, then, why the game's true origins have been so widely ignored.
David Block steps into this breach with a well researched, book that examines the history of our National pastime from its earliest origins through its evolution into the modern game. His original intent was simply to compile a bibliography of all the books and sources that touch on this subject. (Nearly half the length of the book is taken up with this bibliography.) He spends several chapters debunking the Doubleday myth, and also challenging the more widely accepted theory that baseball evolved from the English game of rounders. He even calls into question how important Alexander Cartwright actually was in formulating the earliest rules of the official American game.
The most fascinating part of Block's book is his delving into the early European origins of Baseball. Much of his research here is not original, but he does have some interesting original interpretations of the scant evidence that can be gleaned from these early references to games that seem to have a family resemblance to baseball. In his last chapter he presents a theoretical flowchart of baseball's evolution from the Medieval European ball game called Longball, complete with all the various ball games that seemed to influence it and branch off from it on its way to becoming our modern game of American Baseball.
Block admits that his book is far from the last word on the subject, but hopes that it will reinvigorate fans interest in the often overlooked history of the game's origins. His extensive bibliography provides many clues for continued reading on the subject, though many of the cited sources are obviously rare and hard to find. Baseball Before We Knew It is a great contribution to the literature of the history of a game which is uniquely tied to the culture and history of the United States, and should be appreciated not only by the serious baseball fan, but by all of those with an interest in American cultural history.
David Block steps into this breach with a well researched, book that examines the history of our National pastime from its earliest origins through its evolution into the modern game. His original intent was simply to compile a bibliography of all the books and sources that touch on this subject. (Nearly half the length of the book is taken up with this bibliography.) He spends several chapters debunking the Doubleday myth, and also challenging the more widely accepted theory that baseball evolved from the English game of rounders. He even calls into question how important Alexander Cartwright actually was in formulating the earliest rules of the official American game.
The most fascinating part of Block's book is his delving into the early European origins of Baseball. Much of his research here is not original, but he does have some interesting original interpretations of the scant evidence that can be gleaned from these early references to games that seem to have a family resemblance to baseball. In his last chapter he presents a theoretical flowchart of baseball's evolution from the Medieval European ball game called Longball, complete with all the various ball games that seemed to influence it and branch off from it on its way to becoming our modern game of American Baseball.
Block admits that his book is far from the last word on the subject, but hopes that it will reinvigorate fans interest in the often overlooked history of the game's origins. His extensive bibliography provides many clues for continued reading on the subject, though many of the cited sources are obviously rare and hard to find. Baseball Before We Knew It is a great contribution to the literature of the history of a game which is uniquely tied to the culture and history of the United States, and should be appreciated not only by the serious baseball fan, but by all of those with an interest in American cultural history.
September 19, 2013
When I placed this book on my "wish list" on Amazon, it was a somewhat impulsive move. I've always loved the game of baseball, and lately I've wanted to do some reading into its early days in the 1800's. (I think it all started in sixth grade when I read a book on baseball records, and I found the 1899 Cleveland Spiders holding the unenviable record for losses in a single season, going 20-134, with a winning percentage of .130. Yes, I remember all of that!) So when I was placing various books on my wish list before Christmas, this one popped up in the "recommended" line. I took a look at the description, and put in the list. I should state that I am fortunate that I have a brother-in-law who (a) knows my interests (baseball, beer, theology and philosophy, and old Nintendo games) and (b) knows I have an Amazon wish list; it was he who bought the book for me as a birthday present.
Sorry for the background, but I thought it worth commenting upon.
Now, the work itself is far more than what I had originally bargained for, and that is a pleasant surprise. Mr. Block has done an outstanding job of researching the potential origins of the game, going farther in his research than, I believe, anyone else has done before him. He offers an outstanding account of the attempt made by persons such as Spalding to pin down the origins of baseball to strictly American grounds, against the conclusion of others such as Chadwick, who argued that baseball was an outgrowth of the English game of "rounders." The desire of Spalding to assert the American origins of baseball led him to accept, without question, the claims of an elderly man in Colorado, who said that he had been present the very day that Abner Doubleday, the Civil War hero, virtually created out of thin air the game of baseball. Block's research into the subject of the Doubleday myth is incredible, and offers irrefutable evidence that the story of Doubleday is just that: a story, and a myth.
From where, then, did baseball originate? Researchers such as Chadwick and, later, Robinson, claimed it developed from the "ancient" British game of "rounders." Block, however, offers evidence that asserts, quite conclusively, I think, that not only did baseball not evolve from rounders, but in fact predated rounders by at least a century. Thus Block introduces material showing references to baseball from not only England, but from Germany and Austria as well, not to mention a game of ball played at the Jamestown settlement by Polish workers in the late 17th century. More so, references from pastoral letters and art from a medieval calendar (see the cover) suggest bat-and-ball games being played centuries before Doubleday and even the founding of the United States.
Of course, Block is sincere when he says that the true origin of baseball is likely lost in the depths of history, but doubtless it was a game that evolved over the long course of history from several other games possessing their own idiosyncrasies; e.g., town-ball, "cat" games, trap-ball, etc. But that is what makes the book so grand: Block is able to avoid the temptation to assert any single point of reference as "the" moment that baseball came into being; instead the game evolved into what it is now, developed by the men and children who played it over the many years before now.
I recommend the book for anyone interested in a comprehensive study of the origins of baseball. But beyond that, I would suggest it for anyone interested in an exceptional piece of research in a subject which is not (traditionally) an academic topic. Block's research is an excellent example for anyone to follow.
Sorry for the background, but I thought it worth commenting upon.
Now, the work itself is far more than what I had originally bargained for, and that is a pleasant surprise. Mr. Block has done an outstanding job of researching the potential origins of the game, going farther in his research than, I believe, anyone else has done before him. He offers an outstanding account of the attempt made by persons such as Spalding to pin down the origins of baseball to strictly American grounds, against the conclusion of others such as Chadwick, who argued that baseball was an outgrowth of the English game of "rounders." The desire of Spalding to assert the American origins of baseball led him to accept, without question, the claims of an elderly man in Colorado, who said that he had been present the very day that Abner Doubleday, the Civil War hero, virtually created out of thin air the game of baseball. Block's research into the subject of the Doubleday myth is incredible, and offers irrefutable evidence that the story of Doubleday is just that: a story, and a myth.
From where, then, did baseball originate? Researchers such as Chadwick and, later, Robinson, claimed it developed from the "ancient" British game of "rounders." Block, however, offers evidence that asserts, quite conclusively, I think, that not only did baseball not evolve from rounders, but in fact predated rounders by at least a century. Thus Block introduces material showing references to baseball from not only England, but from Germany and Austria as well, not to mention a game of ball played at the Jamestown settlement by Polish workers in the late 17th century. More so, references from pastoral letters and art from a medieval calendar (see the cover) suggest bat-and-ball games being played centuries before Doubleday and even the founding of the United States.
Of course, Block is sincere when he says that the true origin of baseball is likely lost in the depths of history, but doubtless it was a game that evolved over the long course of history from several other games possessing their own idiosyncrasies; e.g., town-ball, "cat" games, trap-ball, etc. But that is what makes the book so grand: Block is able to avoid the temptation to assert any single point of reference as "the" moment that baseball came into being; instead the game evolved into what it is now, developed by the men and children who played it over the many years before now.
I recommend the book for anyone interested in a comprehensive study of the origins of baseball. But beyond that, I would suggest it for anyone interested in an exceptional piece of research in a subject which is not (traditionally) an academic topic. Block's research is an excellent example for anyone to follow.
August 14, 2019
Well, Spalding was more of a dick than previously noted, and so was tool-in-training, John Montgomery Ward.
September 14, 2025
The roots of baseball were planted the moment the first cave kid hit a stone with his club.
Baseball Before We Knew It was first published by David Block in 2005. For its 20th anniversary, Block went back and updated the book with new information he had gleaned in the previous twenty years. I can’t compare the two versions since I hadn’t read the original edition.
Block attempts to trace the real roots of baseball. The Abner Doubleday story that most of us grew up with was invented by a man in Colorado and embraced by Albert Spaulding. The name Spaulding is synonymous with sports equipment, and he was determined to make baseball a purely American sport. The Doubleday story fitted what he wanted to believe, but was far from the truth.
Instead, Block traces the game back before there was any organization to try to determine its origins. The answer is, it’s complicated. Pouring through ancient newspapers and books, he charts the mention of baseball back through time. Going by the dates they are discussed in any detail, it also seems that the idea that baseball developed from the British game rounders is also false. It seems the two developed separately from a common ball and bat sports ancestor.
They are all listed here. Games I never heard of are thoroughly described. There was town ball, round ball, and various “cat” games that were all somewhat similar to the modern game of baseball as we know it here in the United States.
The book is thorough but also rather dry. The debunking of the Doubleday myth was interesting, as well as Block’s deep dive into the possible motivation for it. He does an extensive character analysis of all of the principals involved in propping up the myth. Is there a lot of information here? Yes. Is there too much information? Also, yes, but I would add the caveat that this is the definitive book of the history of the game before the Civil War, and Block gives the reader everything he knows. If there’s more information to be found, it hasn’t been discovered yet.
To read my complete review please go to Baseball Before We Knew It: A Search for the Roots of the Game by David Block – Uncovering Historical Truths About Baseball
Baseball Before We Knew It was first published by David Block in 2005. For its 20th anniversary, Block went back and updated the book with new information he had gleaned in the previous twenty years. I can’t compare the two versions since I hadn’t read the original edition.
Block attempts to trace the real roots of baseball. The Abner Doubleday story that most of us grew up with was invented by a man in Colorado and embraced by Albert Spaulding. The name Spaulding is synonymous with sports equipment, and he was determined to make baseball a purely American sport. The Doubleday story fitted what he wanted to believe, but was far from the truth.
Instead, Block traces the game back before there was any organization to try to determine its origins. The answer is, it’s complicated. Pouring through ancient newspapers and books, he charts the mention of baseball back through time. Going by the dates they are discussed in any detail, it also seems that the idea that baseball developed from the British game rounders is also false. It seems the two developed separately from a common ball and bat sports ancestor.
They are all listed here. Games I never heard of are thoroughly described. There was town ball, round ball, and various “cat” games that were all somewhat similar to the modern game of baseball as we know it here in the United States.
The book is thorough but also rather dry. The debunking of the Doubleday myth was interesting, as well as Block’s deep dive into the possible motivation for it. He does an extensive character analysis of all of the principals involved in propping up the myth. Is there a lot of information here? Yes. Is there too much information? Also, yes, but I would add the caveat that this is the definitive book of the history of the game before the Civil War, and Block gives the reader everything he knows. If there’s more information to be found, it hasn’t been discovered yet.
To read my complete review please go to Baseball Before We Knew It: A Search for the Roots of the Game by David Block – Uncovering Historical Truths About Baseball
June 17, 2025
There are two ways you can read this book: from beginning to end, if your interested in a deep historiography of games from 15th-18th century Briton that would eventually lead to baseball.
OR: you can read chapters 1-5-- which narrates and debunks the Doubleday Myth and nixes the alternate early theory of the rounders being baseball's direct progenitor. Then skip the middle go to chapter 11 which rounds out the story of how baseball came to be from an amalgamation of different bat/hand and ball games that are detailed to death in the middle chapters.
Chapters 1-5 and 11 are the best written and (in my mind) the most fun to read. There are a few fun historical factoids that didn't know before, such as a village in Africa whose inhabitants have blond hair from previous Danish explorers. But otherwise, chapters 6-10 can be dry reading.
OR: you can read chapters 1-5-- which narrates and debunks the Doubleday Myth and nixes the alternate early theory of the rounders being baseball's direct progenitor. Then skip the middle go to chapter 11 which rounds out the story of how baseball came to be from an amalgamation of different bat/hand and ball games that are detailed to death in the middle chapters.
Chapters 1-5 and 11 are the best written and (in my mind) the most fun to read. There are a few fun historical factoids that didn't know before, such as a village in Africa whose inhabitants have blond hair from previous Danish explorers. But otherwise, chapters 6-10 can be dry reading.
July 7, 2020
This is definitely a book for baseball nerds only. It mainly reads like a dissertation. It also is somewhat disjointed, almost as if it is comprised of a bunch of scholarly articles thrown together (you will find a fair amount of repetition). Plenty of supplemental material at the back of the book is interesting but not necessary for the casual reader. This could have been made a much more popular book with the help of a professional baseball writer willing to weave an engaging tale with all the data.
That being said, I enjoyed it very much. The scholarship is top-notch. A fascinating dive into ball sports going back hundreds of years. I learned plenty and will not look at America's Game quite the same way again.
That being said, I enjoyed it very much. The scholarship is top-notch. A fascinating dive into ball sports going back hundreds of years. I learned plenty and will not look at America's Game quite the same way again.
April 13, 2025
Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me - two reasons. One, I did read the earlier version that was published 20 years ago and felt it was okay, but more scholarly than one that's good for regular baseball fans. Two, the items that were added in this new edition didn't, in my mind, add a lot of insight into the murky world of investigating baseball's origins. While I was not rating books at the time I read the earlier version, I would have given it 3 stars simply because I finished it. While I did not finish this version, I'll still give it the same 3 stars because it just didn't feel any different.
March 1, 2024
You have to be a big baseball nerd to even start this book, and inherently with that I think you'll find something enjoyable or a new fact or three. That's super enjoyable. The biggest issue is perfectly summed up in the author's own words at the start of his bibliography that is nearly 200 pages--he originally intended the book to be solely a bibliography. It feels like that. So many interesting facts, but a pretty weak narrative through line.
November 29, 2025
Undoubtedly academic and dry at times (inescapable for a book of this type) but clearly well researched and updated for the 20th anniversary edition. The author's care for the subject and the thoroughness of his research clearly shines through. I started this during the season and ended up finishing it during the offseason when I miss baseball the most. Definitely not a tome I would recommend to anyone but a certain type of baseball nerd.
July 7, 2025
A bit dense and academic read, but it is packed with good information. Top notch analysis and a must read for baseball fans.
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
May 29, 2024
To choppy in the telling. Could be I don't follow baseball.
April 6, 2025
Exhaustively researched and endlessly fascinating, though it reads more like a collection of essays than as a cohesive narrative. Regardless, this is a must read for baseball enthusiasts and scholars.
June 2, 2016
Can't fault the research or the flow of the writing, but I wish he'd edited himself out of the narrative. We know you're not an academic. That's fine. You've done the research, so stop apologizing and speak authoritatively.
April 27, 2016
This work shows remarkable scholarship and takes us into areas of knowledge previously unknown. It provides a knowledge of baseball that leads to a better understanding of the roots of this game. It is a most enjoyable read. This was most helpful in my own work.
Seelochan Beharry
Seelochan Beharry
January 5, 2014
The best book I've read about baseball's origins. I preferred it to John Thorn's Baseball In The Garden of Eden.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews