 In the 19th century , however , New York 's economic power soon outpaced Boston 's , fueled by possession of the terminus of the Erie Canal , which spurred massive growth in the manufacturing , shipping , insurance and financial services businesses . Another factor was its more rapid population expansion in comparison to that of Boston , driven by the growth of these industries , by New York 's popularity as an immigration port of entry , and enhanced by a larger population base to begin with , even prior to the construction of the Canal – on the eve of the Revolution , New York , with 30 @,@ 000 people , had nearly twice the population of Boston , with about 16 @,@ 000 . By the start of the 20th century the original dynamic , centered on Boston , had completely shifted as New York became the focus of American capitalism ( especially on Wall Street ) ; this change was reflected in the new national pastime . In fact the cities played two different versions of early baseball . The " Massachusetts Game " , as it was called , was played on a field with four bases and with home plate in the middle ; whereas , the " New York Game " , popularized by the New York Knickerbocker Club , was played on a diamond with three bases . The " New York Game " spread throughout the nation after the American Civil War and became the foundation for the modern game of basesball . 
