Baseball originated during the Civil War and was played by both Union and Confederate soldiers as a pastime and morale booster. The growing popularity of the sport during the war helped establish baseball as America's national pastime. Returning soldiers helped spread baseball across the country after the war ended. Organized baseball leagues formed and the game continued to develop standardized rules and terminology.

1. Baseball in the Civil War How did baseball affect the Civil War and how has it changed?

2. Origins Baseballs roots in the civil war. Union General Abner Doubleday. "Modern baseball had been born in the brain of an American soldier. It received its baptism in the bloody days of our Nation's direst danger…” - Albert Spalding.

3. Soldiers Pastime Baseball was used as a break or distraction. Games between Confederate and Union Soldiers. Moral Booster. Teamwork on the diamond and teamwork on the battlefield.

4. Affecting Baseball Today Baseball after the civil war. Returning soldiers shared the game they played. Organized Baseball spread.

5. Terms and Expressions Early Expressions Aces Behind Club Nine Cranks Dew Drop Foul Tick Hurler Match Muff Striker Talley Modern Expressions Runs Catcher Team Fans Slow Pitch Foul Ball Pitcher Game Error Batter Score

6. Fields

7. Letter Excerpt Private Alpheris B. Parker, 10th Massachusetts wrote: “… The parade ground has been a busy place for a week or so past, ball-playing having become a mania in camp. Officer and men forget, for a time, the differences in rank and indulge in the invigorating sport with a schoolboy's ardor…”

8. Letter Excerpt George Putman, Union Soldier “… Suddenly there was a scattering of fire, which three outfielders caught the brunt; the centerfield was hit and was captured, left and right field managed to get back to our lines. The attack...was repelled without serious difficulty, but we had lost not only our centerfield, but...the only baseball in Alexandria, Texas.”

9. Sources Aubrecht, Michael. “Civil War Baseball: Baseball and the Blue and the Gray.” Baseball Almanac . July-2004. 9 May 2008 <www.baseball almanac.com/articles/aubrecht2004b.shtml> Kirsch, George. Baseball in the Blue and Grey. Princeton University Press, 2003. &quot;The History of Baseball: Origins.&quot; History of Baseball . 12 May 2008 <http://www.rpi.edu/~fiscap/history_files/history1>

10. Questions?