Rounders, however, was not invented until 1823. The game "base-ball" is seen in an English woodcut in Pretty Little Pocket Book published in 1760. It seems that it became the common name for a whole class of "bat and ball" folk games. Rounders would actually develop out of this early baseball. In 1845 modern baseball is invented by Alexander Cartwright when he pens a set of rules for the Manhattan Knickerbockers. These so-called "Knickerbocker Rules" become extemely popular and create a common foundation for the modern game. After 1845 the evolution of baseball is fairly well documented. It was not originally a professional sport but a middle and upper-working class leisure activity that was considered at once healthy and socially appropriate entertainment.

Why baseball? Evolution. As for the popularity of cricket in Britain, that has to do with Admiral Nelson and his single-handed sinking of the French flagship at Trafalgar with a single thwack of his cricket bat. The rest is history.

On a personal note, I have played cricket at the invitation of some of the Indian students here. For history buffs, there is a second joke in the earlier statement on Nelson, I wonder how many see it.