The Civil War helped spark the sport of baseball. Instead of minimizing a sport, it helped expand baseball and setup a plot that would make the game popular throughout the country and it quickly became a professional business. Just prior to the war baseball was mainly confined to New York and surrounding areas. While the war took place there were long periods of encampments waiting for the next battle. The New Yorkers started to teach their friends from Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, …show more content…
A walnut was wrapped with yarn until the horsehide would fit tightly around it. Then it was sewed up and they would have their baseball for the game. Limbs from oak trees were cut and carved into bats. If a company was lucky, professionally made bats made in Cooperstown, New York were shipped with supplies. Baseball gloves were not used until the 20th century. The Civil War started and ended in April, the traditional starting time of baseball season. Soldiers on both sides were sent home and brought the game with them. The game expanded in all communities and all over the country. The leagues were often known as Textile Leagues. All areas had their best and most competitive teams and were similar to the minor league teams today. Pennsylvania University and Princeton were huge rivals. In 1869 baseball became professional and the players were