Baseball became the United States' popular "pastime" partially because of the cholera outbreak. People fled to the suburbs to avoid infection and brought a primitive version of baseball (called "Base Ball" two words) with them. From there the game captivated the weeklies and sportswriters began covering the peculiar game, meant to provide the leisurely class with an outlet to get fresh air and exercise. However, gambling and the spirit of competition took hold, and thus the birth of professionalism in baseball.