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February 14, 2018
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January 04, 2018
What Sports Originated in the USA?
As you may know by now, we are billiards fans through and through (hint our Delta-13 Racks). Billiards was started in the 15th Century in France. Although billiards wasn’t born in America, it started to be played here in 1865. That got us thinking...we wanted to know about some of the other sports out there and which ones were invented in America. Read some of these interesting USA Sports facts!
Baseball
Where? New York, USA When? 1845
Who? Did you know the rules of this modern game were based on the Knickerbocker Rules, also known as the Cartwright Rules, formed by originator, Alexander Cartright and his group known as the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club. He is referred to as the “Father of Modern Baseball” and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1938.
American Football
Where? New Jersey, USA When? 1869
American Football roots are actually in English rugby. The very first game played in America was a collegiate one between Rutgers University and Princeton University.
Who? Walter Camp was an American football player, coach, and sports writer known as the "Father of American Football." He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 1951.
Softball
Where? Illinois, USA When? 1887
Who? Though many might think softball was started by women, it was actually started by George Hancock in Chicago. The first softball game was played on Thanksgiving Day in 1887. A year later, it was moved from indoors to outdoors.
Basketball
Where? Massachusetts, USA When? 1891
The first basketball games were played nine against nine using a soccer ball.
Who? James Naismith wrote the original basketball rulebook and founded the University of Kansas basketball program.
Volleyball
Where? Massachusetts, USA When? 1895
Who? William G. Morgan wanted to create a game which everyone could play, no matter their age or physical ability. After meeting James Naismith, inventor of basketball, while studying at Springfield College, Morgan invented "Mintonette, modernly known as volleyball.
Water Skiing
Where? Minnesota, USA When? 1922
Who? Ralph Samuelson's early water ski attempts included using staves from wooden barrels and snow skis before he created new skis made of pine boards.
His first succession with the sport was on June 28 by starting off wearing skis while standing on top of an aquaplane board, then slipping his feet one at a time onto the water.
Windsurfing
Where? Pennsylvania, USA When? 1948
Who? Newman Darby began building boats at age 12. Darby was published in the August 1965 edition of Popular Science magazine for his sailboard, although never patented.
Racquetball
Where? New York, USA When? 1952
Who? Joseph Sobek wanted to create a fast-paced sport that was easy to learn and play. Today, his sport is played in 91 nations. He was the first person inducted into the Racquetball Hall of Fame.
Snowboarding
Where? Michigan, USA When? 1965
Who? The Snowboard was originally named by Sherman Poppen’s wife, Nancy the “Snurfer”, a mix between snow and surfer. The Brunswick bowling company saw Poppen’s invention within the first year and signed a manufacturing deal with him.
See our timeline graphic above and share with everyone you know who are USA sports fans!
What is your favorite sport? Did you know these sports were invented in the USA? Tweet us your thoughts @thedelta13.
