Clara Gregory Baer

Clara Gregory Baer (August 27, 1863 – January 19, 1938) was an American physical education instructor and women's sports pioneer. Baer introduced the first teacher certification course for physical education in the Southern United States, and authored the first published rules of women's basketball. She also developed the sport of Newcomb ball and played a role in the early development of netball.

Early life Baer was born in Algiers, Louisiana to Hamilton John Baer, and Ellen Douglas Riley. which also resulted in the creation of a new and separate sport called "Netball", still played today primarily in Commonwealth nations.

Newcomb ball

As a physical education instructor at Newcomb College in Louisiana, she also invented the game "Newcomb ball", now played as a variation of volleyball.