The American influence on Canadian sport growth and development.
American Influence:-
Canada has a close relationship with the United States, sharing the world's longest undefended border, co-operating on some military campaigns and exercises, and being each other's largest trading partners. In sport, Canada's competition came from south of the border for much of the 19th century. Baseball, Cycling and athletics in Canada are generally being influenced by the states popularity and partially by Great Britain being early ancestors of these sports.
Canada has two teams in Major League Baseball, the Toronto Blue Jays and the Montreal Expos. The Blue Jays won the World Series twice in a row, in 1992 and 1993 which shows that we can beat the Americans at their own game. American baseball supposedly originated in 1839 by Abner Doubleday; even though it is said to be an outgrowth of English rounders (roxborough 112).
Baseball arrived in Canada at around 1859 when a baseball club called "the Canadian pioneers" was formed which soon became the maple leaf baseball club. If it was so popular in the towns and cities of the states then there is no reason it should not be as equally as popular in Canada. Despite its "mouthiness," or maybe because of it, baseball increased in favor (roxborough 113). By the 1870's baseball popularity was at its peak and many teams were formed and combined to make leagues.
Competition came from tours, sometimes lasting 6 weeks for Canadians down into the states. McGill and Toronto universities had amazing players that were as good as any in the states, which gave more reason to watch. From 1875 to 1900, many changes took place resulting in an easier flowing, more popular game. Changes such as padded gloves, new balls, pitching distance, uniform and decision making for the hit all occurred in this time.
Cycling was also a sport that had much American influence but this time it was just as equally influenced by the British. Both countries had origins of cycling and much is still argued about who invented it
Canada has a close relationship with the United States, sharing the world's longest undefended border, co-operating on some military campaigns and exercises, and being each other's largest trading partners. In sport, Canada's competition came from south of the border for much of the 19th century. Baseball, Cycling and athletics in Canada are generally being influenced by the states popularity and partially by Great Britain being early ancestors of these sports.
Canada has two teams in Major League Baseball, the Toronto Blue Jays and the Montreal Expos. The Blue Jays won the World Series twice in a row, in 1992 and 1993 which shows that we can beat the Americans at their own game. American baseball supposedly originated in 1839 by Abner Doubleday; even though it is said to be an outgrowth of English rounders (roxborough 112).
Baseball arrived in Canada at around 1859 when a baseball club called "the Canadian pioneers" was formed which soon became the maple leaf baseball club. If it was so popular in the towns and cities of the states then there is no reason it should not be as equally as popular in Canada. Despite its "mouthiness," or maybe because of it, baseball increased in favor (roxborough 113). By the 1870's baseball popularity was at its peak and many teams were formed and combined to make leagues.
Competition came from tours, sometimes lasting 6 weeks for Canadians down into the states. McGill and Toronto universities had amazing players that were as good as any in the states, which gave more reason to watch. From 1875 to 1900, many changes took place resulting in an easier flowing, more popular game. Changes such as padded gloves, new balls, pitching distance, uniform and decision making for the hit all occurred in this time.
Cycling was also a sport that had much American influence but this time it was just as equally influenced by the British. Both countries had origins of cycling and much is still argued about who invented it