A special commission created by baseball executive Albert Spalding determined in 1908 that Abner Doubleday invented the game in 1839. One hundred Years after Doubleday designed the first diamond, baseball celebrated it's 100th birthday. On June 12, 1939 to commemorate baseball's centennial, the Cooperstown Baseball Hall Of Fame opened its doors to the public. This prestigious inaugural event was held at Doubleday field to honor the 26 Hall of Fame inductees including the 5 original 1936 members.

 The National Centennial Commission held a contest to design an emblem for the 100th anniversary of baseball in the summer of 1938. Unveiled in December, at the annual meeting of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, the winning design was awarded to New York artist Majori Bennet.

 In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of organized baseball the Official Insignia of Baseball’s Centennial had been adopted for flags which to be flown from all of the parks.

 The red, white and blue patch had four red stripes, symbolic of four balls, three white stripes, representing three strikes. A blue diamond was superimposed on the stripes, with a white baseball and a batter completing a swing in the diamond center. The design was used on such items as stationary, publications, advertising, and uniform patches worn by the players during the year.

 However, the batter featured on the patch resembled Joe DiMaggio and Major League Players objected to singling out one player to represent the Centennial of Baseball and refused to wear the patch, so it was redesigned.

  Soon after postmaster General James A. Farley announced that the Post office was planning to issue a commemorative stamp in honor of baseballs centennial, suggestions started to flood in. The most popular being Christy Mathewson. The portraits of both Abner Doubleday and Alexander Cartwright, who were given credit at the time for having introduced baseball into this country, was also suggested. Many thought John J. McGraw, who managed the New York Giants for many years should be honored. Others suggested a photograph of the National baseball Museum and Doubleday field, both located at Cooperstown, N.Y., should form the principal feature of the stamp.

 The chosen design for the stamp depicts a sandlot baseball game between two boy's teams, with a pitcher watching first base and about to deliver the ball. To Within a wreath, enclosed crossed bats, a glove and a ball. In the background a church and a schoolhouse with the American flag flying from the playground flagpole. It was the first baseball postage stamp, and it was issued by the U.S. Post Office in Cooperstown, on June 12, 1939, to kick off baseball's centennial celebration.