The National Association of Base Ball Players (NABBP) was initially founded on principles of amateurism, but the landscape of baseball began to change as clubs sought to secure the best players. The acceptance of professionalism within the NABBP had a profound impact on the association and the sport of baseball as a whole. This article examines how the shift towards professionalism influenced the NABBP and contributed to the evolution of baseball.
The Shift Towards Professionalism
In the early years of the NABBP, the association was committed to maintaining amateurism in baseball. However, as the sport grew in popularity, clubs began to offer unofficial payments to star players to secure their services. This practice became increasingly common, and the NABBP struggled to enforce its amateurism rules effectively. The association investigated several clubs for paying players, but no significant actions were taken against them.
The growing tension between amateur and professional interests led the NABBP to establish a professional category in 1868. This decision allowed clubs to pay players without facing sanctions, marking a significant shift in the association's approach to the sport. The acceptance of professionalism reflected the changing landscape of baseball, as clubs sought to attract top talent and increase their competitiveness.
The Rise of Professional Clubs
The introduction of professionalism within the NABBP led to the rise of professional clubs, which began to dominate the sport. The Cincinnati Red Stockings were the first club to declare themselves openly professional, and they aggressively recruited the best available players. This approach paid off, as the Red Stockings became one of the most dominant clubs of the era.
The success of professional clubs like the Red Stockings demonstrated the advantages of paying players and set a precedent for other clubs to follow. By 1869, twelve clubs had declared themselves professional, including most of the strongest clubs in the NABBP. This shift towards professionalism marked the beginning of a new era in baseball, as the sport became increasingly organized and competitive.
The Legacy of Professionalism
The acceptance of professionalism within the NABBP ultimately contributed to the association's decline. The establishment of the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players in 1871 marked the end of the NABBP's era as the governing body of baseball. Professional clubs sought greater autonomy and organization, leading to the formation of a new league that would govern the sport.
Despite its challenges, the NABBP's acceptance of professionalism had a lasting impact on baseball. The association's decision to embrace professionalism set the stage for the development of modern baseball leagues and the organized, professional sport that baseball would become. The legacy of professionalism within the NABBP continues to be felt in the world of baseball today.
