Overlooked 19th Century Sports POD's

Brunaburh

Gone Fishin'
The USA as a cricket-playing nation, very nearly happened.

A code halfway between rugby and football becoming the standard in the UK in the 1870's, probably looking something like Gaelic football with scrums. This would almost certainly be adopted in the US, leading to one world game replacing all the football variants.

There are so many ways association football could have had different rules. Given butterflies, anything with a POD of 1850 or earlier must have different variants of football than OTL, and anything pre-1880 probably should.

No forward-pass rule in American football, game dies out in favor of football and possibly rugby. (too late, I think, but interesting anyway)

Baseball variants remain popular in the UK. Conversely they NEVER become popular in the US outside New England.

Gaelic games do not introduce the "garrison games" rule, meaning Ireland gets test match cricket status between 1900-1950.

Australia and New Zealand become football playing nations in the early 20th century.

A high ball stick sport based on shinty/bandy/hurling/la crosse/hurley becomes dominant and popular, and hockey dies out, though possibly not ice-hockey.

"Cowboy polo" develops in Canada, spreading to US, Argentina, Australia.

Loads really.
 
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