Introduction : history, sociology and the sociology of sport : the work of Norbert Elias / Eric Dunning, Dominic Malcolm and Ivan Waddington -- Boxing in the western civilizing process / Ken Sheard -- Public schools, status rivalry and the development of football / Eric Dunning and Graham Curry -- Rugby union football in England : civilizing processes and the de-institutionalization of amateurism / Andrew White -- Cricket : civilizing and de-civilizing processes in the imperial game / Dominic Malcolm -- Baseball : myths and modernization / Daniel Bloyce -- Game, set and match : lawn tennis, from early origins to modern sport / Ian Cooper -- The influence of state formation processes on the early development of motor racing / Alex Twitchen -- Clay shooting : civilization in the line of fire / Stuart Smith -- The development of sport in Japan : martial arts and baseball / Koichi Kiku -- After Olga : developments in women's artistic gymnastics following the 1972 'Olga Korbut phenomenon' / Tansin Benn and Barry Benn -- Conclusion : figurational sociology and the development of modern sport / Eric Dunning, Dominic Malcolm and Ivan Waddington.