JANUARY

22nd

The first baseball convention is held in New York. It is called by the Knickerbockers and attended by 16 baseball clubs, all located on Manhattan and Long Island.

MARCH

7th

The rules committee states that 9 innings shall constitute an official game rather than a team scoring 9 runs. For the first time, the rules specify 9 men to a side, even though the game has been played that way since 1845.

10th

The National Association of Base Ball Players is formed. William H. Van Cott is elected President.

MAY

13th

A convention is held in Dedham, MA, attended by representatives of 10 New England baseball clubs. Under the name of "Massachusetts Association of Base Ball Players," playing rules are adopted to illustrate the differences between New England baseball and the "New York Game." Rule four: 2 bases shall be wooden stakes, 4 feet high. Rule 14: If a player is hit with a thrown ball while rounding the bases, he shall be considered out. Other rules specify 100 runs will constitute a game and each side shall consist of 10 to 14 players.

OCTOBER

22nd

The Atlantic Club defeats the Eckford Club, both of Brooklyn, to take the best-of-3-games match and claim the championship for 1857. The baseball custom now is that the championship can only be won by a team beating the current titleholder 2 out of 3 games.