History of Springfield, Massachusetts role in the first-ever automobile accident. Today, the city of Springfield is known worldwide as the birthplace of the sport of basketball. In 1891, James Naismith, a theology graduate, invented the sport of basketball at the YMCA International Training School – now known as Springfield College – to fill-in the gap between the football and baseball seasons. The first game of basketball ever played took place in the Mason Square district of Springfield. (The game's score was 1 – 0). As of 2011, the exact spot where the first game took place is memorialized by an illuminated monument. The first
Jason Naismith Jason Naismith Jason Naismith (born 25 June 1994) is a Scottish professional footballer, who plays as a defender for EFL League One club Peterborough United. Naismith has previously played for St Mirren, Greenock Morton, Cowdenbeath and Ross County. He has also represented Scotland in youth internationals, including one game at under-21 level. Naismith was born in Paisley. A member of St Mirren's under-19 squad, Naismith made his first team debut as a substitute on 25 February 2012 against Aberdeen in the Scottish Premier League. In May 2012, Naismith was loaned out to Greenock Morton for six months. In doing so