January 22, 1857 – The National Association of Base Ball Players Was Founded

January 22

Copy of Base Ball at Elysian Fields in 1866

The National Association of Base Ball Players (NABBP) was established on January 22, 1857. It served as baseball’s first organized governing body, laying the groundwork for the modern sport and influencing its rules, culture, and professionalism.

The NABBP standardized baseball rules, addressing the inconsistencies that arose when local clubs followed their own guidelines. This organization united 16 New York City and Brooklyn baseball clubs, fostering a sense of community and competition for the first time in America’s pastime. Initially, the NABBP emphasized amateurism, prohibited player compensation, and promoted the sport as a pastime rather than a profession. 

Key Contributions of the NABBP

  • Codified Regulations: The association established consistent rules, including the number of innings, the distance between bases, and how outs were recorded. Many of these rules, which the NABBP created, are still in effect today, in modified form.
  • Annual Conventions: NABBP hosted yearly meetings, where representatives from member clubs met and openly discussed rules, disputes, and the sport’s development, making it a more cohesive and collaborative sport.

The NABBP played a crucial role in spreading baseball beyond New York, significantly contributing to the sport’s growing popularity across the United States by helping to formalize its structure. However, by the late 1860s, the amateur ideal began to decline. Teams started to compensate players, which created tension within the association secretly.

In 1871, professional clubs separated to create the National Association of Professional Baseball Players, leading to the decline of the NABBP. This event paved the way for professional leagues like today’s Major League Baseball.