On Oct. 25, two teams will gather to play America's favorite pastime at the opening game of the World Series. The winner of the best of seven games will be named the baseball champions of 2016.

Similarities to the game we know today can be seen in this article from The Oklahoman on July 24, 1932:

Ball games in America as early as the fourteenth and fifteenth century hardly sounds possible — nevertheless it was one of the most popular sports of the continent.

It was not, however, the pilgrims who engaged in this now national sport, but American Indians, who for more than 400 years have engaged in a game which has been the fundamental basis for the present day baseball game, basketball and football.