EVERYONE THINKS VETERAN ABNER DOUBLEDAY INVENTED BASEBALL, BUT DID HE REALLY?
The legacy of Abner Doubleday is beyond complicated. As a Major General, he fought in many important battles for the Union throughout the Civil War. Despite this, the Veteran’s life is steeped in mystery. This is due to his connection with America’s National Pastime. You see, becoming a successful leader, warfighter, lawyer, and noted writer wasn’t enough. History decided that there needed to be an Abner Doubleday baseball side plot that refused to go away. But what was Doubleday’s place in the history of baseball and how did it come to be? Explore the unusual history of how baseball was invented, even if it’s not the truth. Related read: Who Invented Guns? - A History of Firearms
When Did Abner Doubleday Invent Baseball?
Receiving widespread credit for the birth of baseball, Abner Doubleday is a household name. However, the facts surrounding baseball's origin may suggest otherwise. The Abner Doubleday baseball myth is far from new and that in part is why it continues to persist in the sports world and beyond. Born into an affluent family, Doubleday was attending West Point in 1839 and took on a notable military career. This included becoming a Major General for the Union during the Civil War. Doubleday didn’t mention creating baseball but rumors would start up and easily spread. This would come to be because of A.J. Spalding and a commission looking to find the origins of the game. There was a lot of debate over whether it was formed in America or in the U.K. during the year 1907. About 16 years after Doubleday's death, Abner Graves (an old schoolmate of Doubleday) discussed the game's origin. He claimed that Doubleday created the game and the idea somehow stuck. When the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum was established in 1939 in Cooperstown, New York, the myth was used by organizers, and the Abner Doubleday Field was created. The rest could have been history. However, in today’s world, we know better. Abner Doubleday and baseball have a forever connection, but he didn’t invent the sport.
Okay Then, Well...Who Invented Baseball?
The history of baseball is more intricate than the Doubleday legend suggests. Games resembling baseball in the United States have an 18th century origin. English games like rounders and cricket had a direct influence. These games gained popularity in American schools, colleges, and industrialized cities in the mid-19th century. However, to make baseball unique, it needed its own rules and new features. This would come thanks to many factors but primarily because of Alexander Joy Cartwright of the New York Knickerbocker Baseball Club. The NYC-based team started in September 1845 and it was during this time that Cartwright would create unique rules for baseball. These included the use of three strikes before being out, foul lines, and the infield diamond. So while Cartwright has his name in an important part of baseball history, Doubleday also had a role in popularizing the sport. You can even find an Abner Doubleday baseball card created in his honor. Suggested read: How a Wounded Civil War Fighter Invented Coca Cola
He Didn’t Invent Baseball, but Abner Doubleday is a Civil War Veteran
From his day's at West Point to helping in a variety of military operations, Doubleday had a storied military career. This would include serving in a variety of garrisons and even serving during the Mexican–American War, and the Seminole Wars, but primarily, in the American Civil War. In fact, Doubleday was said to have fired the first defensive shot to respond to the Confederate assault at Fort Sumter. His time as a Captain and second in command at Fort Sumter would lead to a variety of additional important military accomplishments. They include the following:
- Commanding the Artillery Department in the Shenandoah Valley.
- Serving as Artillery Commander for Major General Nathaniel Banks's division in the Army of the Potomac.
- A Brigadier General during the Northern Virginia Campaign.
- Command of the 3rd Division of the I Corps of the Army of the Potomac.
- Doubleday also played a major role during the Battle of Gettysburg.
Following the Civil War, Doubleday continued to help America’s military in various capacities, including commanding the 24th U.S. Infantry, an all-Black regiment headquartered at Fort McKavett, Texas, before retiring in 1873. No matter which story you hear of Abner Doubleday, it’s likely to be one of intrigue. He may not have invented baseball, but he helped serve our country in many different capacities during his time. Read next: How World War II Influenced the History of Softball