Baseball's Enduring Legacy in Philadelphia Suburbs

Baseball has weathered storms, both literal and metaphorical, throughout its storied history. Once hailed as America's pastime, it now faces competition from a myriad of activities vying for children's attention.

As Major League Baseball reaches its All-Star break, we ventured into Montgomery and Delaware counties to gauge the game's current standing. Is this beloved pastime still relevant?

Ed Hill, who has dedicated 16 years to coaching and directing tournament teams, assumed the presidency of the Nor-Gwyn Baseball and Softball Association in September 2024. For Hill, baseball is more than a sport; it’s a family tradition. Three of his children have participated in Nor-Gwyn's programs.

"My whole summer revolved around baseball when I was a kid," Hill reflected. "The game is still there for me, and I passed it on to my kids. I do think baseball is still America's pastime. I go back to the history of it."

The precise beginnings of baseball remain shrouded in mystery. While Abner Doubleday was long thought to be its inventor, historians now suggest that the game’s roots trace back to the early 1800s, as noted by Encyclopedia Britannica.

"Baseball has been through so much. It's basically withstood the test of time," remarked Jim Vankoski, a baseball historian. "Where would we be without baseball? It's the only game I can think of that's not played on a rectangle. You've got that diamond. Diamonds are forever."

Vankoski serves as a curator at the Sports Legends of Delaware County Museum, which aims to preserve the legacy of local sports figures. He remains optimistic about baseball's future, citing MLB's highest attendance figures in seven years during the 2024 season, bolstered by rule changes aimed at increasing game pace.

Yet, a narrative persists that baseball's popularity is waning compared to other sports.

"It doesn't seem to be a neighborhood sport like it used to be," Vankoski observed.

Chez Angeloni, who pitched at Johns Hopkins University before joining the Boston Red Sox in 2009, now co-owns Player Development Systems, a baseball training program in Philadelphia. He acknowledges that while baseball remains his passion, the current landscape presents challenges, particularly with the rise of Name, Image, and Likeness in college sports and increased screen time among youth.

"There are a lot of kids in front of screens today. That's an obvious thing," Angeloni stated. "If you don't enjoy hitting balls or practicing, it's not going to happen."

Dillon Souvignier, a senior first baseman at Johns Hopkins, has lived and breathed baseball since childhood.

"Baseball has been, literally, the main focus and kind of the main thing that I get to look forward to in my life literally since I was 4 years old," Souvignier shared.

While he concedes that the NFL or NBA might attract more viewers on television, he insists that "baseball is still really strong for the people who care."

Will Matteson manages the Doylestown American Legion baseball team and believes in the game's unique value.

"It's the best game for a lot of reasons," Matteson said. "I think there's a lot of uncontrollables, and it teaches you how to deal with life. This is a game that you can do everything right in and still fail."