AMERICAS FAVORITE PASTIME
BY VERONICA HERNANDEZ
In our nation’s darkest moments baseball has been an escape, preserving our country through its toughest times, from World War I to the Great Depression to the Civil Rights Movement to September 11, 2001 and most recently to the Boston Marathon Bombings in March of 2013. Baseball has stood ground for one of America’s favorite pastimes for generations. My father and mother, first generation in America, found such great pleasure in this pastime that it was introduced to us as kids. We played on weekends with cousins, aunts and uncles; we played on holidays at a nearby park; and on a great treat, we went to Chavez Ravine to cheer on the Dodgers!
Very quickly we became accustomed to the traditions of baseball. I remember, as a child, the feeling of patriotism as we sung “The Star-Spangled Banner.” I could hear my father chanting in his broken English, yet simultaneously blending with all other Americans in the stadium, regardless of background. Everyone was involved when cheering for our team, as well, whether it was high-fiving when they scored a run, or attempting to do a unified stadium wave. Next popular song chanted besides the national anthem, is the seventh inning stretch where you “root, root, root for [your home team], if they don’t win it’s a shame!” Nobody sits you down and teaches you these traditions, they’re simply learned as you go.
With the recent tragedies of September 11th and Boston Marathon Bombings, America united and found comfort in baseball. Today, most ballparks make a big spectacle on holidays such as Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Veteran’s Day by including members of the armed forces who unfold a field-sized American flag, military flyovers that, not only give you goose bumps, but are so loud they overshadow the chants and whistling of the spectators, and spectacular firework shows. In addition, the “Star Spangled Banner” and “God Bless the America” are sung in unison to show patriotism and love for the sport.There is no doubt that baseball and patriotism are closely associated, as they bring Americans of different backgrounds and beliefs together.
BY VERONICA HERNANDEZ
In our nation’s darkest moments baseball has been an escape, preserving our country through its toughest times, from World War I to the Great Depression to the Civil Rights Movement to September 11, 2001 and most recently to the Boston Marathon Bombings in March of 2013. Baseball has stood ground for one of America’s favorite pastimes for generations. My father and mother, first generation in America, found such great pleasure in this pastime that it was introduced to us as kids. We played on weekends with cousins, aunts and uncles; we played on holidays at a nearby park; and on a great treat, we went to Chavez Ravine to cheer on the Dodgers!
Very quickly we became accustomed to the traditions of baseball. I remember, as a child, the feeling of patriotism as we sung “The Star-Spangled Banner.” I could hear my father chanting in his broken English, yet simultaneously blending with all other Americans in the stadium, regardless of background. Everyone was involved when cheering for our team, as well, whether it was high-fiving when they scored a run, or attempting to do a unified stadium wave. Next popular song chanted besides the national anthem, is the seventh inning stretch where you “root, root, root for [your home team], if they don’t win it’s a shame!” Nobody sits you down and teaches you these traditions, they’re simply learned as you go.
With the recent tragedies of September 11th and Boston Marathon Bombings, America united and found comfort in baseball. Today, most ballparks make a big spectacle on holidays such as Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Veteran’s Day by including members of the armed forces who unfold a field-sized American flag, military flyovers that, not only give you goose bumps, but are so loud they overshadow the chants and whistling of the spectators, and spectacular firework shows. In addition, the “Star Spangled Banner” and “God Bless the America” are sung in unison to show patriotism and love for the sport.There is no doubt that baseball and patriotism are closely associated, as they bring Americans of different backgrounds and beliefs together.
Another baseball tradition is that of the ceremonial first pitch. The first ceremonial pitch was in 1910 by then President William Taft, and since then almost all U.S. Presidents have taken the mound, with the exception of Jimmy Carter. Needless to say, one of the most memorable ceremonial pitches was when our country was in grave state. For who could forget the ceremonial first pitch of former President George W Bush at the World Series game at Yankees Stadium right after 9/11? Regardless whether you were a Republican or Democrat, the nation was united; that was an uplifting moment to see the leader of our great nation partake in America's favorite pastime as he delivered a perfect pitch!
Another unforgettable first pitch was when Army Lieutenant and Army Dad (pictured on the left), Will Adams, posed as the catcher at a Tampa Bay Rays game, as his daughter threw the first pitch; unbeknownst to his daughter who was there under the pretense of honoring her father for his service. The moment of joy, not only on his daughter's face, but on the face of the spectators who witnessed when Lieutenant Adams took off his catcher's mask to reveal himself to his daughter. No doubt this image encompasses two of baseball's traditions: the ceremonial first pitch, and the act of playing catch with the kids- which is practiced by most American families, only this was on a much grander scale than the typical front yard.
Another unforgettable first pitch was when Army Lieutenant and Army Dad (pictured on the left), Will Adams, posed as the catcher at a Tampa Bay Rays game, as his daughter threw the first pitch; unbeknownst to his daughter who was there under the pretense of honoring her father for his service. The moment of joy, not only on his daughter's face, but on the face of the spectators who witnessed when Lieutenant Adams took off his catcher's mask to reveal himself to his daughter. No doubt this image encompasses two of baseball's traditions: the ceremonial first pitch, and the act of playing catch with the kids- which is practiced by most American families, only this was on a much grander scale than the typical front yard.
Patriotism and Baseball
Baseball has been around for a long time. It became America’s favorite pastime because pre television, it was how parents spent time with
their kids—playing catch or practice-hitting a ball with a bat; after school, kids formed teams and played on the street or nearby park as a way to pass the time. While kids were playing the game, adults were talking about it; they caught up on the subway or at work about the stats of their favorite team—typically their home team. Today, baseball still stands strong as America’s favorite pastime. It conjures up images of patriotism, heroism, family barbecues and just plain good times. It brings family and friends together, and at the ballparks people of all walks of life gather in unison to cheer on their home team.
Even before civil rights, people of color and whites gathered at a baseball field to watch their favorite team play against the opposition. They
rooted and chanted for the home team in unison, despite the fact they had designated seating for whites and colored. Even the Great Nelson Mandela agreed that “[s]port has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope, where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers,” (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Sports). Although Mandela broadens it to all sports, in his country that sport was rugby; however in our country, it is baseball that has had that effect throughout our nation.
Baseball has many traditions, some which are very patriotic, and others that are just “American” traditions. For example, one of the biggest patriotic traditions is the singing of the national anthem. The “Star-Spangled Banner” is one of the most patriotic traditions in Baseball because it reminds us of how great our nation is. It makes us proud to be an American. “Our nation honors war. Our nation loves sports. Our nation glorifies winning. Our national anthem strikes all three chords at the same time,” (By Luke Cyphers and Ethan Trex | ESPN The Magazine, Originally Published: September 8, 2011).
The article in ESPN Magazine by Luke Cyphers and Ethan Trex explains how “The Star-Spangled Banner” was introduced to baseball during the first game of the World Series during World War I. The mood had been somber until the seventh inning stretch when a marching band began play the “Star-Spangled Banner.” On third base for the Red Sox was Fred Thomas who was furloughed by the Navy to play in the World Series. He immediately saluted the flag as the band played, and the rest of the players and fans followed suit. When the World Series moved to Fenway, Boston moved “The Star-Spangled Banner” from the seventh inning to pre-game and paired it up with introducing wounded soldiers who had been invited to the game for free.
According to Cyphers and Trex, “Congress didn't officially adopt the ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ until 1931 -- and by that time it was already a baseball tradition steeped in wartime patriotism.”
Baseball has been around for a long time. It became America’s favorite pastime because pre television, it was how parents spent time with
their kids—playing catch or practice-hitting a ball with a bat; after school, kids formed teams and played on the street or nearby park as a way to pass the time. While kids were playing the game, adults were talking about it; they caught up on the subway or at work about the stats of their favorite team—typically their home team. Today, baseball still stands strong as America’s favorite pastime. It conjures up images of patriotism, heroism, family barbecues and just plain good times. It brings family and friends together, and at the ballparks people of all walks of life gather in unison to cheer on their home team.
Even before civil rights, people of color and whites gathered at a baseball field to watch their favorite team play against the opposition. They
rooted and chanted for the home team in unison, despite the fact they had designated seating for whites and colored. Even the Great Nelson Mandela agreed that “[s]port has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope, where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers,” (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Sports). Although Mandela broadens it to all sports, in his country that sport was rugby; however in our country, it is baseball that has had that effect throughout our nation.
Baseball has many traditions, some which are very patriotic, and others that are just “American” traditions. For example, one of the biggest patriotic traditions is the singing of the national anthem. The “Star-Spangled Banner” is one of the most patriotic traditions in Baseball because it reminds us of how great our nation is. It makes us proud to be an American. “Our nation honors war. Our nation loves sports. Our nation glorifies winning. Our national anthem strikes all three chords at the same time,” (By Luke Cyphers and Ethan Trex | ESPN The Magazine, Originally Published: September 8, 2011).
The article in ESPN Magazine by Luke Cyphers and Ethan Trex explains how “The Star-Spangled Banner” was introduced to baseball during the first game of the World Series during World War I. The mood had been somber until the seventh inning stretch when a marching band began play the “Star-Spangled Banner.” On third base for the Red Sox was Fred Thomas who was furloughed by the Navy to play in the World Series. He immediately saluted the flag as the band played, and the rest of the players and fans followed suit. When the World Series moved to Fenway, Boston moved “The Star-Spangled Banner” from the seventh inning to pre-game and paired it up with introducing wounded soldiers who had been invited to the game for free.
According to Cyphers and Trex, “Congress didn't officially adopt the ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ until 1931 -- and by that time it was already a baseball tradition steeped in wartime patriotism.”
During the Great War, Major League Baseball had an impact on both the fans
and their fellow soldiers who went to war; among those soldiers were not just
the brave men who had enlisted or had been drafted, but also some major league
players. “Only a handful of players had been drafted into the military... Those
who continued to play took part in token military ‘drills’ to show their support
for the boys overseas. Owners donated fair amounts of cash to the war effort,
and rounded up baseball gear for the soldiers—whenever they had time off from
the brutal trench warfare,” (http://www.thisgreatgame.com/1918-baseball-history.html).
Despite the war, people gathered at baseball fields to feel happiness and
excitement and temporarily forget that the world was in turmoil; for that
moment, people forgot their troubles and chanted in unison.
and their fellow soldiers who went to war; among those soldiers were not just
the brave men who had enlisted or had been drafted, but also some major league
players. “Only a handful of players had been drafted into the military... Those
who continued to play took part in token military ‘drills’ to show their support
for the boys overseas. Owners donated fair amounts of cash to the war effort,
and rounded up baseball gear for the soldiers—whenever they had time off from
the brutal trench warfare,” (http://www.thisgreatgame.com/1918-baseball-history.html).
Despite the war, people gathered at baseball fields to feel happiness and
excitement and temporarily forget that the world was in turmoil; for that
moment, people forgot their troubles and chanted in unison.
In this image, we see how baseball conjures up images of apple pie and hot dogs and barbecues. These are all American delights, loved and shared by just about every American during a hot summer afternoon. At Chavez-Ravine, most of the fans who attend a Dodgers game can not leave without having one of their famous Dodger dogs. Whether it's the Fenway Franks, the Dodger dog, Yankees Stadium or Wrigley Field, there is never a short supply of franks/dogs. It is almost a tradition to have a hot dog at every stadium. I, only having been to Chavez-Ravine, Angels’ Stadium, and Yankees stadium had to get a dog at each park.