DOUBLEDAY MYTH Meaning and
Definition
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The DoubleDay myth refers to a widely perpetuated but erroneous belief regarding the origins of baseball. It suggests that the sport was invented by Abner Doubleday, a Union Army general, who is credited with creating the rules and organizing the first game of baseball in Cooperstown, New York, in 1839.
However, historical evidence does not support this popular myth. The Doubleday myth gained prominence due to a report published by a commission called the Mills Commission in 1907. This report claimed that baseball was essentially an American invention, and Doubleday was credited as its founder. However, the commission's findings were largely based on unreliable testimonies and hearsay.
Contrary to popular belief, baseball had already been evolving and gaining popularity in America in the early 19th century, with multiple variations of the game being played in various regions. The origins of baseball are complex and have roots in English rounders and other bat-and-ball games brought to America by early European settlers.
Historical research and multiple primary sources point to the evolution of baseball over time, rather than its creation by a single individual. While Abner Doubleday did serve in the military and had connections to Cooperstown, there is no credible evidence linking him to the creation of baseball.
Despite the debunking of the Doubleday myth, Cooperstown remains the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, symbolizing the enduring popularity and cultural significance of the sport.
Etymology of DOUBLEDAY MYTH
The term "Doubleday myth" refers to a popular but historically inaccurate belief that Abner Doubleday, a Union general during the American Civil War, invented the game of baseball. The etymology of the term can be broken down as follows:
1. Doubleday: Refers to Abner Doubleday, an American soldier, and civil servant who was credited with the invention of baseball in the late 19th century.
2. Myth: A myth, in this context, refers to a widely held but false or unsupported belief or idea. It implies that the claim of Doubleday inventing baseball is not based on factual evidence.
The etymology of the term "Doubleday myth" is a combination of the name of the individual (Doubleday) and the concept of a widely held but false belief (myth).
