Forever Ago® Episode Summary: "Play Ball! The First Team Sport"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Forever Ago
• Host/Author: American Public Media
• Description: Brains On presents Forever Ago®, a history show for the whole family! Every episode explores the surprising and fascinating history of things we think are ordinary but aren’t—like ice cream flavors, video games, baths, and more. The show makes learning about the past fun while teaching listeners to think critically about history.
• Episode: Play Ball! The First Team Sport
• Release Date: May 28, 2025

Introduction

In the "Play Ball! The First Team Sport" episode of Forever Ago®, hosts Joy Dolo and Zenia delve into the origins of team sports, uncovering the historical roots and cultural significance of the earliest organized games. Accompanied by their whimsical armadillo co-host, Agostina, the trio engages listeners with a blend of humor, historical facts, and interactive segments.

The Genesis of Team Sports

Early Competitions: Running and Wrestling

The episode opens with a discussion about the earliest forms of human competition. Joy Dolo poses a listener question: “Who invented sports and what did they look like when they were invented?” Clara from Pennsylvania and Eddie from Colorado share their curiosities about the origins of sports.

Joy Dolo [06:27]: "Historians think the first sport or game that humans competed in was probably running or wrestling."

Zenia concurs, emphasizing the simplicity and accessibility of these activities, which required no equipment, making them ideal for early societies.

Introducing the Mesoamerican Ball Game

Transitioning from individual sports, the conversation shifts to the first team sport—the Mesoamerican ball game. Agostina, the armadillo, provides an in-depth explanation of this ancient game, tracing its origins to the region now known as Mexico.

Agostina [07:22]: "As you know, we Armadillos are famous for our love of archaeology, obviously. And in my studies, I've learned that many archaeologists think the first team sport came from the same place as me. The land that today is known as Mexico."

Zenia adds context by outlining the geographic spread of Mesoamerica, encompassing parts of modern-day Mexico, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Belize.

Archaeological Insights and Discoveries

Unearthing the Ancient Ball Courts

The hosts delve into the archaeological evidence supporting the existence of the Mesoamerican ball game. Agostina discusses the discovery of ancient ball courts, with the oldest identified site dating back to 1650 BC in southern Mexico.

Agostina [09:22]: "The very oldest Mesoamerican court that we found so far was built in southern Mexico in 1650 BC."

Zenia highlights the size and structure of these courts, comparing them to modern sports venues, which helps listeners visualize the scale and communal nature of these games.

Zenia [09:30]: "That's about 100ft shorter than a football field and much more narrow."

Reconstruction of Game Rules

Without written records, archaeologists rely on physical evidence and artistic depictions to reconstruct the game's rules. Agostina explains how the game's equipment, such as rubber balls made from the Castilla elastica tree, and the design of the courts inform our understanding of how the game was played.

Agustina [12:26]: "Plus, remember how I mentioned the balls the game was played with? Well, archaeologists actually found some of those ancient balls during an archaeological dig and analyzed them in a lab."

Joy expresses curiosity about the methodology of archaeological research, leading to an explanation of how artifacts like sculptures, pottery, and even remnants of the natural environment provide clues about historical practices.

Agustina [12:05]: "To figure out the rules of the game, archaeologists have studied the ball courts themselves. They've read descriptions that other people eventually wrote of the games. And they've even looked at ancient artwork that shows the ball games being played."

Cultural Significance and Social Impact

Community and Rituals

The Mesoamerican ball game wasn't merely a pastime; it held deep religious and social significance. Agostina emphasizes how these games were integral to ceremonies and sometimes served as a means to resolve conflicts between communities.

Agostina [21:52]: "And the ball game was really important to them. Archaeologists know the game was played as part of religious ceremonies and sometimes to settle arguments with other groups."

Zenia adds that, much like modern sports, there were varying levels of participation—from casual play on neighborhood courts to serious competition that garnered public attention.

Zenia [19:02]: "Just like sports today, people played at all different levels."

Spread Across Empires

The episode explores how the ball game spread across vast regions, played by powerful Central American empires such as the Olmecs, Mayas, and Aztecs. This dissemination highlights the game's adaptability and enduring appeal across different cultures and epochs.

Impact of Colonization and Modern Revival

Suppression by Spanish Conquistadors

The arrival of the Spanish in the 1500s marked a turning point for the Mesoamerican ball game. Agustina recounts how the conquistadors banned indigenous sports in an attempt to suppress native cultures.

Agustina [22:15]: "The Spanish banned all types of sports and games that were played by the Aztecs. But the Aztecs kept playing games in secret because it was a huge part of their identity and culture."

Despite these efforts, the game persisted clandestinely, serving as a beacon of cultural resilience among the descendants of the original players.

Revival and Contemporary Practice

Post-independence, Mexico saw the open resurgence of the ball game. Zenia shares a personal anecdote about witnessing a modern version of the game in Merida, Yucatan.

Zenia [22:55]: "I was in Merida, which is in the Yucatan peninsula. That's in Mexico. And they would hit a big, heavy rubber ball with their hips, and they pass each other, and then they try to hit it up into a goal."

Agustina highlights variations like Pelota Mixteca, emphasizing how the game has evolved while maintaining its core elements. She introduces Michael Hernandez, a contemporary player, who discusses the adaptations in equipment, such as the specialized gloves used to protect players’ hands.

Agustina [24:08]: "But the gloves today have leveled up like baseball gloves. They're made of leather, but instead of being shaped like a basket to catch the ball, they look more like a small pillow with a strap you put your hand into."

This section underscores the game's lasting legacy and its continued role in cultural identity and familial traditions.

Interactive Segment: First Things First

Mid-episode, Joy and Zenia engage listeners with an interactive trivia segment, "First Things First," challenging each other to chronologically order historical objects: marbles, snow globes, and ball pits.

Joy Dolo [13:00]: "Today, things are all round. Snow globes, ball pits, and marbles. What do you think? Zenia, which came first, second, and most recently in history."

Zenia initially guesses that marbles are the oldest, followed by snow globes, and then ball pits, which Joy confirms are correct. This segment not only adds an engaging break but also reinforces the episode's theme of historical progression.

Conclusion and Credits

The episode wraps up by recapping the significance of the Mesoamerican ball game as the first team sport, highlighting its deep-rooted cultural importance and enduring legacy.

Joy Dolo [25:46]: "It's actually a collection of similar games that have been played across parts of north and Central America and the Caribbean for over 3,000 years."

Credits are then given to the creative team behind the episode, acknowledging writers, producers, editors, and other contributors who made the episode possible.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Joy Dolo [06:27]: "Historians think the first sport or game that humans competed in was probably running or wrestling."
• Agustina [07:22]: "As you know, we Armadillos are famous for our love of archaeology, obviously. And in my studies, I've learned that many archaeologists think the first team sport came from the same place as me. The land that today is known as Mexico."
• Agustina [09:22]: "The very oldest Mesoamerican court that we found so far was built in southern Mexico in 1650 BC."
• Agustina [12:26]: "Plus, remember how I mentioned the balls the game was played with? Well, archaeologists actually found some of those ancient balls during an archaeological dig and analyzed them in a lab."
• Agustina [21:52]: "And the ball game was really important to them. Archaeologists know the game was played as part of religious ceremonies and sometimes to settle arguments with other groups."
• Agustina [24:08]: "But the gloves today have leveled up like baseball gloves. They're made of leather, but instead of being shaped like a basket to catch the ball, they look more like a small pillow with a strap you put your hand into."

Final Thoughts

"Play Ball! The First Team Sport" offers a captivating exploration of the origins of team sports, blending historical research with engaging storytelling. By uncovering the legacy of the Mesoamerican ball game, Forever Ago® not only educates listeners about ancient civilizations but also illustrates the enduring human love for organized competition and community.

Listeners new and old will find this episode both informative and entertaining, shedding light on how modern sports trace their lineage back thousands of years to games that were much more than just recreation—they were vital cultural practices that shaped societies.