How Did The Great Depression Affect Baseball In The 1930s

Baseball in the 1930s When the Great Depression hit, it affected the money American people had. This really affected baseball. Ticket sales were the main money source for owners of teams and with less people coming to the games, they had to find new ways to get people to come. There was many changes to the sport in the ‘30s. The 1930s was an important time for baseball. Even with the Depression, the Golden Age of Baseball continued (Banks).

With the impact of the Depression, team owners were trying to find ways to keep people in the stands. Owners knew that more scoring would attract fans, so they lowered the seems on baseballs. This made it harder to throw a breaking pitch. Many people call it “the year of the hitter,” and the average for the entire National League was .303. In 1930, attendance went up and was at a record high. Lights were installed in some stadiums, and announcers were introduced to the sport (Banks 48-78).

During the ‘30s many …show more content…
The league only lasted from 1935 to 1948. To many of the players, the conditions they went through was worth getting to play professional baseball. Most teams traveled by bus and they had exhibition game throughout the week to earn more money. They accepted any competition. Even though the depression made it harder for the Major Leagues, the Negro Leagues flourished. At its peak, the average player would make between $200 and $300, which is more than they would make anywhere else. The segregation in baseball would soon be coming to an end. It took an event like World War ll to make people realize how bad segregation in baseball was. The American people realized that colored people were expected to die fighting for America, but couldn't play in a baseball league with whites. A poll was even taken with National League players, and 75% said that they would be okay with colored people playing in the Major Leagues (Banks