| Who Invented Baseball? A Civil War hero named Abner Doubleday is often credited with developing the game of baseball in 1839, but the real history is older-and more complicated. References to games resembling baseball in the United States date back to the 18th century. Its most direct ancestors appear to be two English games: rounders (a children's game brought to New England by the earliest colonists) and cricket. By the time of the American Revolution, variations of such games were being played on schoolyards and college campuses across the country. In September 1845, a group of New York City men founded the New York Knickerbocker Baseball Club. One of them-volunteer firefighter and bank clerk Alexander Joy Cartwright-would codify a new set of rules that would form the basis for modern baseball, calling for a diamond-shaped infield, foul lines and the three-strike rule. He also abolished the dangerous practice of tagging runners by throwing balls at them. In 1846, the Knickerbockers played the first official game of baseball against a team of cricket players, beginning a new, uniquely American tradition. Check out these titles |
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| Books on the Air An overview of talked-about books and authors. This weekly update, published every Friday, provides descriptions of recent TV and radio appearances by authors and their recently released books. See the hot titles from the media this week. |
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| Rene Denfeld Rene Denfeld is a bestselling author and foster mother. Rene's novels are influenced by her work as a licensed death row investigator. She is the past Chief Investigator for a public defenders and has worked hundreds of cases, including exonerations and helping rape trafficking victims. The survivor of a difficult background, Rene regularly speaks on social justice issues, as well as writing and overcoming trauma. Her novels have won numerous awards including a French Prix, and The New York Times named her a 2017 hero of the year. She lives in Portland, Oregon. Check out her books here |
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| 5 Under 35 The National Book Foundation has announced its 5 Under 35 honorees for 2024. Here are this year's honorees, who will be celebrated at the 5 Under 35 Ceremony on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at the Brooklyn Museum. Check them out here |
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| Do not read as children do to enjoy themselves, or, as the ambitious do to educate themselves. No, read to live.-Gustave Flaubert
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