Barton Vermont Baseball Team 1907-13 Real Photo Postcard

Baseball rapidly gained prominence as America's national pastime in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, moving beyond professional leagues to amateur and semi-professional teams in nearly every town. These local town teams were a significant part of community life, offering entertainment, fostering civic pride, and providing a recreational outlet for men in both urban and rural settings across the United States. This period saw the sport solidify its cultural footprint, with local rivalries drawing large crowds and creating strong community bonds.