Many people are not aware of the fact that baseball started in England in 1755, but it was many years later before it actually became a major sport in the UK. Many forms of baseball, also called rounders, have been played since it started.
The traditional form of baseball is still played in Wales and although it continues to grow in popularity, it is still only an amateur game in the UK.  The more commonly known international version that is played in the United States was brought to the UK in 1890 by Francis Ley.
Just as baseballs popularity began to grow World War II took place. Today there are approximately 40 teams competing with about 900 players. Most of the teams center around Liverpool to Cambridge and Southampton to Edinburgh.
There have been many different leagues to form over the years, but baseball today is governed by the British Baseball Federation. The current formation involves four tiers; the highest being National Leagues, AAA, AA and A which are all split into two divisions – Northern or Southern Conferences. All leagues except A have a final four tournament to end each season where the top two from each conference play to advance to the championship.
While the popularity of baseball in the UK has yet to match the success it has found in America, it continues to make progress and gain new fans each season.