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Get ready to play ball on August 1 for National Play Ball Day! This day is all about celebrating America's favorite pastime – baseball. It's a day to gather with friends and family, head out to the ballpark, and cheer on your favorite team. The origins of this holiday can be traced back to the early 1900s when President William Howard Taft threw out the first pitch on Opening Day. Since then, it has become a beloved tradition in American culture. So grab your glove, put on your team's jersey, and get ready for a fun-filled day of home runs and hot dogs!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1883</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Creation of Baseball League</div><div class='timeline-text'>The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, later known as the National League (NL), was created, paving the way for modern professional baseball.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1908</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>"Take Me Out to the Ball Game"</div><div class='timeline-text'>The song "Take Me Out to the Ball Game", now a traditional melody sung during the seventh-inning stretch, was composed by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1910</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Presidential First Pitch</div><div class='timeline-text'>President William Howard Taft threw out the first pitch on Opening Day, establishing a tradition that Presidents continue today.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1957</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Little League Television Debut</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Little League World Series was broadcast on television for the first time, encouraging a love of baseball in younger generations.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1996</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Women's Professional Baseball</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first women's professional baseball league since the 1950s, the Ladies League Baseball, was launched, celebrating diversity in the sport.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2015</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First National Play Ball Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Major League Baseball and USA Baseball marked August 1 as "Play Ball Day" to celebrate the fun of playing the sport.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a baseball game</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>What better way to celebrate Play Ball Day than by watching a live baseball game? Grab some friends and head to the stadium for a day of cheering on your favorite team.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a backyard game day</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite some friends over for a backyard game day filled with activities like wiffle ball, cornhole, and other fun outdoor games. Don't forget the snacks and cold drinks!</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Take a trip to the batting cages</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather some friends and head to the nearest batting cages for a day of swinging for the fences. Make it interesting by keeping track of who hits the most home runs.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Play ball with your furry friend</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Don't forget to include your furry friends in the fun! Take your dog to the park and play a game of fetch with a baseball or tennis ball.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a baseball-themed BBQ</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather friends and family for a BBQ with a baseball twist. Serve up hot dogs, hamburgers, and other ballpark favorites while watching a game on TV or playing a backyard game. Don't forget to wear your team's colors!</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a celebration of the great American pastime</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Baseball has been known as America's favorite sport for decades. Play Ball Day celebrates the history and culture of this beloved game, bringing communities together to enjoy all things baseball-related.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a chance to relive childhood memories</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Many of us have fond memories of playing catch in the backyard or going to a game with our families as kids. Play Ball Day is the perfect opportunity to bring back those nostalgic feelings and create new memories with loved ones.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a day to show team spirit</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Whether you're a die-hard fan of a specific team or just love the sport in general, Play Ball Day is the time to proudly wear your team colors and support your favorite players. Plus, it's a great excuse to throw a party and watch a game with friends!</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>A 17-year-old Holds the Record for the Longest Major League Baseball Career</h3><p class='facts-content'>Nick Altrock, launched his MLB career at the tender age of 17 and managed to stretch it over 41 years, mainly as a coach and occasionally as a player, showcasing the enduring nature of passion for baseball.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>"Inside-the-Park" Home Runs were Once Mainstays</h3><p class='facts-content'>In the early days of baseball, hitter’s parks were much larger, making conventional home runs rare. 'Inside-the-park' home runs were more common and contributed to exciting gameplay.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Baseball Signals Developed Due to Deafness</h3><p class='facts-content'>Baseball hand signals, such as touching the cap, adjusting the belt, or brushing a hand across the chest, originated from a deaf player named William “Dummy” Hoy. He needed visual signs to know what was happening during games.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Shortest Major League Player was 3 Feet 7 Inches Tall</h3><p class='facts-content'>Eddie Gaedel was the shortest MLB player in history, standing just 3 feet 7 inches tall. He showed that Baseball is a game for people of all sizes and not just the physically elite.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Baseballs were Once Made from Fish and Dog Materials</h3><p class='facts-content'>In the early days of the sport, baseballs consisted of a rubber or cork core, wound with yarn, and covered with leather. The yarn often came from the wool of sheep, but sometimes included materials made from fish and dogs.</p></div></div>
Play Ball Day is celebrated on August 1 every year. In 2024, Play Ball Day will occur on a Thursday.
2023
Aug 1
Tuesday
2024
Aug 1
Thursday
2025
Aug 1
Friday
2026
Aug 1
Saturday
2027
Aug 1
Sunday
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