A major part of American culture, baseball was first played in its modern form in 1846. Similar games came from England, Ireland and France, which had been played since 1344. The game is able to be played by people of all skill levels and is great exercise involving throwing, catching, running, swinging, and hand to eye coordination. Baseball is a cheap way to get outside.
The traditional baseball is a little bigger than a tennis ball, and consists of many layers. The core is usually cork or wood, wound with thousands of feet of yarn or string. The outside layer is made of two identical pieces of leather, stitched together with the recognizable red stitching. The more expensive models are made of leather just like premium footballs or soccer balls, and range from 15 to 30 dollars. Cheaper baseballs are made of synthetic materials and can be found at dollar stores and department stores – usually for one to five dollars.
Traditional baseball bats are made of very hard woods like ash or hickory that can withstand the force of hitting the ball. Aluminum bats are lighter and can be swung harder to hit a ball farther. The composite bat is made of carbon fiber and is lighter still, able to hit even further than aluminum. They also have larger hitting areas so it is easier to hit the ball. Composite bats can cost up to $300, where as a wooden bat often retails for less than $50.
For organized play, proper head protection is required. Baseball helmets come in left-handed and right-handed models so that the ear facing the pitcher is protected. Baseball helmet decals distinguish between teams, display the player number and can be placed on the back as respect for an event that has affected a team. A good helmet goes for $15 to $50.
Baseball memorabilia is a huge business. Signed balls and bats sell for thousands of dollars, and investments like that deserve to be kept pristine. A proper baseball bat display ranges in price from $100 for a single-bat display to more than a thousand for some multi-bat custom made cases. Baseball bat cases are often a very nice wood (likely ash or hickory to keep the theme alive) with glass or Plexiglas to keep the bat safe. Some are lighted so they can be seen at night and some are mirrored so you can see the details on the bottom as well.