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| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: Baseball David Colbert, 2001 Celebrates America's national pastime with selections by writers including Stephen King, Mark Twain, and John Updike, accompanied by paintings, sculpture, folk art, drawings, and baseball ephemera. |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: The Art of Fielding Chad Harbach, 2011-09-07 A disastrous error on the field sends five lives into a tailspin in this widely acclaimed tale about love, life, and baseball, praised by the New York Times as wonderful...a novel that is every bit as entertaining as it is affecting. Named one of the year's best books by the New York Times, NPR, The New Yorker, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Christian Science Monitor, Bloomberg, Kansas City Star, Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Time Out New York. At Westish College, a small school on the shore of Lake Michigan, baseball star Henry Skrimshander seems destined for big league stardom. But when a routine throw goes disastrously off course, the fates of five people are upended. Henry's fight against self-doubt threatens to ruin his future. College president Guert Affenlight, a longtime bachelor, has fallen unexpectedly and helplessly in love. Owen Dunne, Henry's gay roommate and teammate, becomes caught up in a dangerous affair. Mike Schwartz, the Harpooners' team captain and Henry's best friend, realizes he has guided Henry's career at the expense of his own. And Pella Affenlight, Guert's daughter, returns to Westish after escaping an ill-fated marriage, determined to start a new life. As the season counts down to its climactic final game, these five are forced to confront their deepest hopes, anxieties, and secrets. In the process they forge new bonds, and help one another find their true paths. Written with boundless intelligence and filled with the tenderness of youth, The Art of Fielding is an expansive, warmhearted novel about ambition and its limits, about family and friendship and love, and about commitment -- to oneself and to others. First novels this complete and consuming come along very, very seldom. --Jonathan Franzen |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: The Comic Book Story of Baseball Alex Irvine, 2018-05-08 A graphic novel-style history of baseball, providing an illustrated look at the major games, players, and rule changes that shaped the sport. This graphic novel steps up to the plate and covers all the bases in illustrating the origin of America's national pastime, presenting a complete look at the beginnings (both real and legendary), developments, triumphs, and tragedies of baseball. It also breaks down the cultural impact and significance of the sport both in America and overseas (including Japan, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic), from the early days of America to the flying W outside Wrigley Field in 2016. Featuring members of Baseball's Hall of Fame and modern day stand-outs—including Cy Young, Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, the 1930s New York Yankees, the 2004 Boston Red Sox, the 2016 Chicago Cubs, and more—The Comic Book Story of Baseball spotlights the players, teams, games, and moments that built the sport's legacy and ensured its popularity. |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: The Baseball Fan's Bucket List Jenna Santelli, Robert Santelli, 2010-05 No sport's fans are more in touch with the history and ephemera of their game than baseball fans. Hitting the sweet spot of our national pastime, The Baseball Fan's Bucket List presents a list of 162 ''absolute must'' things to do, see, get, and experience before you kick the bucket. Entries range from visiting Elysian Fields in Hoboken, NJ (site of the first pro baseball game), to starting a baseball card collection; experiencing Opening Day; attending your favorite team's Fantasy Camp; reading classic books like Ball Four, and much more! Each entry includes interesting facts, entertaining trivia, and practical information about the activity, item, or travel destination. Also included is a complete checklist so the reader can keep a running tally of their Bucket-List achievements. With today's tabloid stories of steroid abuse and off-the-field shenanigans encroaching on baseball's idyllic charm, this unique guidebook encourages readers to celebrate all that's good about being a fan. |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: At the Ballpark Ron McFarland, 2006 |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: 501 Baseball Books Fans Must Read Before They Die Ron Kaplan, 2018-08-01 Propounding his small ball theory of sports literature, George Plimpton proposed that the smaller the ball, the more formidable the literature. Of course he had the relatively small baseball in mind, because its literature is formidable--vast and varied, instructive, often wildly entertaining, and occasionally brilliant. From this bewildering array of baseball books, Ron Kaplan has chosen 501 of the best, making it easier for fans to find just the books to suit them (or to know what they're missing). From biography, history, fiction, and instruction to books about ballparks, business, and rules, anyone who loves to read about baseball will find in this book a companionable guide, far more fun than a reference work has any right to be. |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: Baseball Games Mark Cooper, Douglas Congdon-Martin, 1995 Nearly every baseball-related board or table game produced from the 1860s to the 1960s is illustrated here with accurate captions that describe each one individually. The relationship between the board games and the professional game of baseball is described with tips to help date each and rate their condition. |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: The National Pastime and the Civil War: A Divided Nation, United by Baseball Pasquale De Marco, 2025-04-08 In the midst of the Civil War's devastation, baseball emerged as a beacon of hope and unity for a nation torn apart by conflict. This captivating book tells the remarkable story of how America's national pastime played a significant role in healing the wounds of war and bringing people together during one of the darkest chapters in American history. Through the experiences of players, fans, and communities across the country, we witness the transformative power of baseball in a time of great turmoil. From makeshift games played on battlefields to organized leagues that provided a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos, baseball offered a much-needed respite from the horrors of war. Discover the stories of courageous players who risked their lives to play the game they loved, and the resilience of communities that rallied around baseball as a symbol of hope and unity. Learn about the challenges faced by African American players who fought for recognition and equality on the field, and the contributions of women who kept the sport alive while the men were away at war. This book is not just a history of baseball during the Civil War; it is a testament to the enduring power of sports to bring people together, even in the most trying of times. It is a story of sacrifice, camaraderie, and the indomitable spirit of the American people. Join us on this journey through the Civil War era and witness the extraordinary role that baseball played in shaping the nation's identity and destiny. This book is a must-read for baseball fans, history buffs, and anyone interested in the power of sports to heal and unite. If you like this book, write a review! |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: The National Pastime: A Review of Baseball History Edited by John Thorn, 2014-12 Back in 1982, the Society for American Baseball Research was still young, barely a decade past its founding, and had grown to some 1600 members. One of their number, a defrocked English Lit guy poking around in journalism, suggested to the board of directors that SABR, and the world, might benefit from a publication along the lines of American Heritage, only about baseball. Before long that member, John Thorn, found himself at the helm of the newly christened periodical, The National Pastime: A Review of Baseball History. The very first issue included names we think of today as luminaries in the field of baseball history and analysis: Harold Seymour, Lawrence S. Ritter, Pete Palmer, David Voigt, Bob Broeg, and more. Over the years the significance of that flagship issue has only grown, while the inventory has dwindled. SABR is pleased to present a replica edition here, with the addition of a new preface by John Thorn, now the official historian of Major League Baseball. This issue includes: Nate Colbert's Unknown RBI Record by Bob Carroll Nineteenth-Century Baseball Deserves Equal Time by Art Ahrens Dandy at Third: Ray Dandridge by John B. Holway How Fast Was Cool Papa Bell? by Jim Bankes The Field of Play by David Sanders Ladies and Gentlemen, Presenting Marty McHale by Lawrence S. Ritter Remembrance of Summers Past by Bob Broeg The Merkle Blunder: A Kaleidoscopic View by G. H. Fleming A Tale of Two Sluggers: Roger Maris and Hack Wilson, by Don Nelson Baseball's Misbegottens: Expansion Era Managers by David Voigt The Early Years: A Gallery by Mark Rucker and Lew Lipset The Egyptian and the Greyhounds by Lew Lipset All the Record Books Are Wrong by Frank J. Williams Goose Goslin's Induction Day by Lawrence S. Ritter The Great New York Team of 1927—and It Wasn't the Yankees by Fred Stein Modern Times: A Portfolio by Stuart Leeds Books Before Baseball: A Personal History by Harold Seymour, Ph.D. Ballparks: A Quiz by Bob Bluthardt Runs and Wins by Pete Palmer Baltimore, the Eastern Shore, and More by Al Kermisch David and Goliath: Figures by Ted DiTullio Double Joe Dwyer: A Life in the Bushes by Gerald Tomlinson |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: Sayonara Home Run! John Gall, Gary Engel, 2006-02-16 With talented young Japanese players signing to the American Majors, interest in Japanese baseball is at an all-time high. Sayonara Home Run! introduces curious fans to Japan's national pastime through the lens of the country's playfully beautiful baseball cards. A fascinating text traces the roots and cross-cultural history of the Japanese game, while hundreds of illustrations showcase gorgeous vintage cards. Woven throughout are profiles of key Japanese players, features on important U.S. team tours of Japan (with Japanese cards of players such as Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio), and insights into the social history of the cards. Including primers on Japanese player nicknames and baseball terms, and the fine points of the Japanese game, Sayonara Home Run! is a must-have for anyone interested in baseball, Japan, or this unique chapter in popular design. |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: Imagining Baseball David McGimpsey, 2000 ... McGimpsey displays erudition, clever insights and a knack for the wickedly funny wisecrack (several of which are aimed at his beloved, and beleaguered, Montreal Expos). Literary baseball may be a drastically over-analyzed subject, but, like an overachieving rookie, McGrimpsey produces a far better book on it than one would have ever thought possible. --Louis Jacobson, Washington Post This is the most important critical book on baseball literature in many years. --Murray Sperber, author of Onward to Victory From Field of Dreams to The Natural, from baseball cards to highbrow fiction, this book explores the place of baseball in American popular culture. |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: American National Pastimes - A History Mark Dyreson, Jaime Schultz, 2016-04-14 When the colonies that became the USA were still dominions of the British Empire they began to imagine their sporting pastimes as finer recreations than even those enjoyed in the motherland. From the war of independence and the creation of the republic to the twenty-first century, sporting pastimes have served as essential ingredients in forging nationhood in American history. This collection gathers the work of an all-star team of historians of American sport in order to explore the origins and meanings of the idea of national pastimes—of a nation symbolized by its sports. These wide-ranging essays analyze the claims of particular sports to national pastime status, from horse racing, hunting, and prize fighting in early American history to baseball, basketball, and football more than two centuries later. These essays also investigate the legal, political, economic, and culture patterns and the gender, ethnic, racial, and class dynamics of national pastimes, connecting sport to broader historical themes. American National Pastimes chronicles how and why the USA has used sport to define and debate the contours of nation. This book was published as a special issue of the International Journal of the History of Sport. |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: Breaking Into Baseball Jean Hastings Ardell, 2005-03-03 While baseball is traditionally perceived as a game to be played, enjoyed, and reported from a masculine perspective, it has long been beloved among women—more so than any other spectator sport. Breaking into Baseball: Women and the National Pastime upends baseball’s accepted history to at last reveal just how involved women are, and have always been, in the American game. Through provocative interviews and deft research, Jean Hastings Ardell devotes a detailed chapter to each of the seven ways women participate in the game—from the stands as fans, on the field as professionals or as amateur players, behind the plate as umpires, in the front office as executives, in the press box as sportswriters and reporters, or in the shadows as Baseball Annies. From these revelatory vantage points, Ardell invites overdue appreciation for the affinity and talent women bring to baseball at all levels and shows us our national game anew. From its ancient origins in spring fertility rituals through contemporary marketing efforts geared toward an ever-increasing female fan base, baseball has always had a feminine side, and generations of women have sought—and been sought after—to participate in the sport, even when doing so meant challenging the cultural mores of their era. In that regard, women have been breaking into baseball from the very beginning. But recent decades have witnessed great strides in legitimizing women’s roles on the diamond as players and umpires as well as in vital management and media roles. In her thoughtfully organized and engagingly written survey, Ardell offers a chance for sports enthusiasts and historians of both genders to better appreciate the storied and complex relationship women have so long shared with the game and to glimpse the future of women in baseball. Breaking into Baseball is augmented by twenty-four illustrations and a foreword from Ila Borders, the first woman to play more than three seasons of men’s professional baseball. |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: Sport and the Shaping of Civic Identity in Chicago Gerald R. Gems, 2020-02-13 This study is an interdisciplinary examination of the role of sport in the formation of urban identity in Chicago. The author employs historical and sociological methodologies and analyzes how the city became a hub for immigration, transportation, and entertainment. |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: The Baseball Film Aaron Baker, 2022-01-14 Baseball has long been viewed as the Great American Pastime, so it is no surprise that the sport has inspired many Hollywood films and television series. But how do these works depict the game, its players, fans, and place in American society? This study offers an extensive look at nearly one hundred years of baseball-themed movies, documentaries, and TV shows. Film and sports scholar Aaron Baker examines works like A League of their Own (1992) and Sugar (2008), which dramatize the underrepresented contributions of female and immigrant players, alongside classic baseball movies like The Natural that are full of nostalgia for a time when native-born white men could use the game to achieve the American dream. He further explores how biopics have both mythologized and demystified such legendary figures as Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson and Fernando Valenzuela. The Baseball Film charts the variety of ways that Hollywood presents the game as integral to American life, whether showing little league as a site of parent-child bonding or depicting fans’ lifelong love affairs with their home teams. Covering everything from Bull Durham (1988) to The Bad News Bears (1976), this book offers an essential look at one of the most cinematic of all sports. |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: America's National Game Albert G. Spalding, 2020-09-14 This book is in great demand by baseball enthusiasts. Having been connected with every department of the game from player to magnate, Mr. Spalding has contributed a very important work to the game's history. As the invincible pitcher of the Boston Club, previous to the formation of the National League, his book of so many pages is an interesting record of events dating from the beginning of the great American pastime. It is not exactly a history of the game, but deals largely with incidents during the author's career, who was a player in the late 1860s and early 1870s, and helped organize the National League in 1876. One chapter, devoted to sundry topics, gives an account of the sale of the immortal King Kelly, the original $10,000 beauty, by Chicago to the Boston Club in the late 1880s. Other Chapters are devoted to the literature of the game, quoting several instances of the baseball paragrapher's art and also specimens of the distinct poetry of the pastime, of which Casey at the Bat is probably the most widely known. The Cincinnati Red Stockings Mr. Spalding gives credit as being the pioneer professional organization. It was not, however, until 1871 that professional baseball playing, as recognized today, was instituted. Mr. Spalding shows how cricket could not do for Americans. He says it is suitable for the British temperament, but not for the Yankee hustling spirit. He also tells how he worked into the game through a one-handed catch when a small boy. To lovers of baseball, whose name is legion, and whose number increases yearly, this book comprises in itself a whole library of useful information. |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: The Greatest Ballpark Ever Bob McGee, 2005 McGee chronicles the Ebbets Field's vibrant history from the first pitch thrown in 1913, through the last out in 1957, until the wrecking ball's descent in 1960. During this period, Ebbets Field was hallowed ground to many Brooklynites. |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: The Hidden Language of Baseball Paul Dickson, 2009-05-26 Baseball is set apart from other sports by many things, but few are more distinctive than the intricate systems of coded language that govern action on the field and give baseball its unique appeal. During a nine-inning game, more than 1,000 silent instructions are given-from catcher to pitcher, coach to batter, fielder to fielder, umpire to umpire-and without this speechless communication the game would simply not be the same. Baseball historian Paul Dickson examines for the first time the rich legacy of baseball's hidden language, offering fans everywhere a smorgasbord of history and anecdote. Whether detailing the origins of the hit-and-run, the true story behind the home run that gave Home Run Baker his nickname, Bob Feller's sign-stealing telescope, Casey Stengel's improbable method of signaling his bullpen, the impact of sign stealing on the Giants' miraculous comeback in 1951, or the pitches Andy Pettitte tipped off that altered the momentum of the 2001 World Series, Dickson's research is as thorough as his stories are entertaining. A roster of baseball's greatest names and games, past and present, echoes throughout, making The Hidden Language of Baseball a unique window on the history of our national pastime. |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: Michelle Obama David Colbert, 2009 A biography on the next First Lady Michelle Obama, told within the context of African American history. |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: Baseball in Blue and Gray George B. Kirsch, 2013-10-24 During the Civil War, Americans from homefront to battlefront played baseball as never before. While soldiers slaughtered each other over the country's fate, players and fans struggled over the form of the national pastime. George Kirsch gives us a color commentary of the growth and transformation of baseball during the Civil War. He shows that the game was a vital part of the lives of many a soldier and civilian--and that baseball's popularity had everything to do with surging American nationalism. By 1860, baseball was poised to emerge as the American sport. Clubs in northeastern and a few southern cities played various forms of the game. Newspapers published statistics, and governing bodies set rules. But the Civil War years proved crucial in securing the game's place in the American heart. Soldiers with bats in their rucksacks spread baseball to training camps, war prisons, and even front lines. As nationalist fervor heightened, baseball became patriotic. Fans honored it with the title of national pastime. War metaphors were commonplace in sports reporting, and charity games were scheduled. Decades later, Union general Abner Doubleday would be credited (wrongly) with baseball's invention. The Civil War period also saw key developments in the sport itself, including the spread of the New York-style of play, the advent of revised pitching rules, and the growth of commercialism. Kirsch recounts vivid stories of great players and describes soldiers playing ball to relieve boredom. He introduces entrepreneurs who preached the gospel of baseball, boosted female attendance, and found new ways to make money. We witness bitterly contested championships that enthralled whole cities. We watch African Americans embracing baseball despite official exclusion. And we see legends spring from the pens of early sportswriters. Rich with anecdotes and surprising facts, this narrative of baseball's coming-of-age reveals the remarkable extent to which America's national pastime is bound up with the country's defining event. |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: Forthcoming Books Rose Arny, 2003 |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: Baseball Beyond Our Borders George Gmelch, Daniel A. Nathan, 2017 Baseball Beyond Our Borders celebrates the globalization of the game while highlighting the different histories and cultures of the nations in which the sport is played. This collection of essays tells the story of America's national pastime as it has spread across the world and undergone instructive, entertaining, and sometimes quirky changes in the process. Covering nineteen countries and a U.S. territory, the contributors show how each country imported baseball, how baseball took hold and developed, how it is organized, played, and followed, and what local and regional traits tell us about the sport's place in each culture. But what lies in store as baseball's passport fills up with far-flung stamps? Will the international migration of players homogenize baseball? What role will the World Baseball Classic play? These are just a few of the questions the authors pose. |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: The Empire Strikes Out Robert Elias, 2010-01-19 Is the face of American baseball throughout the world that of goodwill ambassador or ugly American? Has baseball crafted its own image or instead been at the mercy of broader forces shaping our society and the globe? The Empire Strikes Out gives us the sweeping story of how baseball and America are intertwined in the export of “the American way.” From the Civil War to George W. Bush and the Iraq War, we see baseball's role in developing the American empire, first at home and then beyond our shores. And from Albert Spalding and baseball's first World Tour to Bud Selig and the World Baseball Classic, we witness the globalization of America's national pastime and baseball's role in spreading the American dream. Besides describing baseball's frequent and often surprising connections to America's presence around the world, Elias assesses the effects of this relationship both on our foreign policies and on the sport itself and asks whether baseball can play a positive role or rather only reinforce America's dominance around the globe. Like Franklin Foer in How Soccer Explains the World, Elias is driven by compelling stories, unusual events, and unique individuals. His seamless integration of original research and compelling analysis makes this a baseball book that's about more than just sports. |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: The Great American Novel Philip Roth, 2013-07-02 Philip Roth's richly imagined satiric narrative, The Great American Novel, turns baseball's status as national pastime and myth into an unfettered farce Featuring heroism and perfidy, lively wordplay and a cast of characters that includes the House Un-American Activities Committee. Roth is better than he's ever been before.... The prose is electric. (The Atlantic) Gil Gamesh is the only pitcher who ever tried to kill the umpire, and John Baal, The Babe Ruth of the Big House, never hit a home run sober. But you've never heard of them -- or of the Ruppert Mundys, the only homeless big-league ball team in American history -- because of the communist plot and the capitalist scandal that expunged the entire Patriot League from baseball memory. |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: Touching Base Steven A. Riess, 1999-07-26 Discusses the ideology of baseball, professional baseball and urban politics, politics, ballparks, and the neighborhoods, social reform, and baseball as a source of social mobility. |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: Black Baseball, 1858-1900 James E. Brunson III, 2019-03-22 This is one of the most important baseball books to be published in a long time, taking a comprehensive look at black participation in the national pastime from 1858 through 1900. It provides team rosters and team histories, player biographies, a list of umpires and games they officiated and information on team managers and team secretaries. Well known organizations like the Washington's Mutuals, Philadelphia Pythians, Chicago Uniques, St. Louis Black Stockings, Cuban Giants and Chicago Unions are documented, as well as lesser known teams like the Wilmington Mutuals, Newton Black Stockings, San Francisco Enterprise, Dallas Black Stockings, Galveston Flyaways, Louisville Brotherhoods and Helena Pastimes. Player biographies trace their connections between teams across the country. Essays frame the biographies, discussing the social and cultural events that shaped black baseball. Waiters and barbers formed the earliest organized clubs and developed local, regional and national circuits. Some players belonged to both white and colored clubs, and some umpires officiated colored, white and interracial matches. High schools nurtured young players and transformed them into powerhouse teams, like Cincinnati's Vigilant Base Ball Club. A special essay covers visual representations of black baseball and the artists who created them, including colored artists of color who were also baseballists. |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: Rules of the Game Marjorie Maddox, 2009 Here's a celebration of baseball in poetry and the poetry in baseball. Baseball is a game of fine points and grand gestures, small blunders and bold accomplishments--the hook slide into second, the humble bunt, the unexpected wild pitch, the bases-loaded home run. Poet and baseball fan Marjorie Maddox pays tribute to these and other details that make the national pastime an enduring and engaging sport for players and fans alike. Surprising wordplay and striking images offer a unique perspective of this classic American game. |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game Michael Lewis, 2004-03-17 Michael Lewis’s instant classic may be “the most influential book on sports ever written” (People), but “you need know absolutely nothing about baseball to appreciate the wit, snap, economy and incisiveness of [Lewis’s] thoughts about it” (Janet Maslin, New York Times). One of GQ's 50 Best Books of Literary Journalism of the 21st Century Just before the 2002 season opens, the Oakland Athletics must relinquish its three most prominent (and expensive) players and is written off by just about everyone—but then comes roaring back to challenge the American League record for consecutive wins. How did one of the poorest teams in baseball win so many games? In a quest to discover the answer, Michael Lewis delivers not only “the single most influential baseball book ever” (Rob Neyer, Slate) but also what “may be the best book ever written on business” (Weekly Standard). Lewis first looks to all the logical places—the front offices of major league teams, the coaches, the minds of brilliant players—but discovers the real jackpot is a cache of numbers?numbers!?collected over the years by a strange brotherhood of amateur baseball enthusiasts: software engineers, statisticians, Wall Street analysts, lawyers, and physics professors. What these numbers prove is that the traditional yardsticks of success for players and teams are fatally flawed. Even the box score misleads us by ignoring the crucial importance of the humble base-on-balls. This information had been around for years, and nobody inside Major League Baseball paid it any mind. And then came Billy Beane, general manager of the Oakland Athletics. He paid attention to those numbers?with the second-lowest payroll in baseball at his disposal he had to?to conduct an astonishing experiment in finding and fielding a team that nobody else wanted. In a narrative full of fabulous characters and brilliant excursions into the unexpected, Michael Lewis shows us how and why the new baseball knowledge works. He also sets up a sly and hilarious morality tale: Big Money, like Goliath, is always supposed to win . . . how can we not cheer for David? |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: How Baseball Happened Thomas W. Gilbert, 2020-09-15 The untold story of baseball’s nineteenth-century origins: “a delightful look at a young nation creating a pastime that was love from the first crack of the bat” (Paul Dickson, The Wall Street Journal). You may have heard that Abner Doubleday or Alexander Cartwright invented baseball. Neither did. You may have been told that a club called the Knickerbockers played the first baseball game in 1846. They didn’t. Perhaps you’ve read that baseball’s color line was first crossed by Jackie Robinson in 1947. Nope. Baseball’s true founders don’t have plaques in Cooperstown. They were hundreds of uncredited, ordinary people who played without gloves, facemasks, or performance incentives. Unlike today’s pro athletes, they lived full lives outside of sports. They worked, built businesses, and fought against the South in the Civil War. In this myth-busting history, Thomas W. Gilbert reveals the true beginnings of baseball. Through newspaper accounts, diaries, and other accounts, he explains how it evolved through the mid-nineteenth century into a modern sport of championships, media coverage, and famous stars—all before the first professional league was formed in 1871. Winner of the Casey Award: Best Baseball Book of the Year |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: Baseball Secrets of the Kings Pasquale De Marco, 2025-04-28 In the realm of sports, baseball stands as a beacon of tradition, strategy, and athleticism, captivating audiences of all ages with its timeless appeal. **Baseball Secrets of the Kings** takes readers on an immersive journey through the world of baseball, revealing the intricacies of the game, the legends who have graced its hallowed grounds, and the enduring legacy of this great American pastime. With meticulous detail, this comprehensive guide delves into the art and science of baseball, offering a deeper understanding of the game's fundamentals. From the art of pitching and the science of hitting to the strategies of fielding and the techniques of base running, readers will gain a newfound appreciation for the complexities of the sport. Beyond the technical aspects of the game, **Baseball Secrets of the Kings** also explores the cultural impact of baseball, showcasing its influence on American values, art, literature, and music. From the stories of Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron to the iconic films and songs that have immortalized the game, baseball's rich history and enduring appeal are brought to life. Featuring captivating stories, in-depth analysis, and stunning visuals, **Baseball Secrets of the Kings** is the ultimate guide for baseball enthusiasts and casual fans alike. Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the sport, this book will provide you with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the national pastime. **Uncover the secrets of baseball and elevate your knowledge of the game with **Baseball Secrets of the Kings**. Immerse yourself in the rich history, captivating stories, and expert insights that make baseball America's favorite pastime.** If you like this book, write a review on google books! |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: Vintage Base Ball James R. Tootle, 2011-07-25 Every spring, thousands of ball players across the country step back to the nineteenth century to play vintage base ball using the equipment, uniforms, rules, and customs of the game's early years. A unique combination of athletic contest, living history, and outdoor theatre, vintage base ball transports players and spectators alike to that fascinating and innocent time when athletes gathered on the diamond for recreation, exercise, and pure enjoyment. This lore-laden how-to provides all the information needed to play this entertaining, educational, and fast-growing game and to present it properly to the public, covering everything from historically accurate equipment and etiquette to the rules of play and game-day preparations. |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: Baseball's Life and Soul: Majestic Moments on the Field and Beyond Pasquale De Marco, 2025-04-17 Baseball's Life and Soul: Majestic Moments on the Field and Beyond is a captivating exploration of America's national pastime, delving into its rich history, memorable stories, and lasting cultural impact. This comprehensive volume presents a fresh perspective on the sport, unveiling the hidden gems and illuminating the larger-than-life characters that have shaped its legacy. Journey through the annals of baseball history as Pasquale De Marco takes you on a tour de force of the game's most iconic moments, legendary players, and unforgettable teams. From the early days of sandlot fields to the modern era of multi-billion dollar franchises, Baseball's Life and Soul captures the essence of what makes baseball so much more than just a sport. This book is a love letter to the game, a celebration of its enduring spirit and its ability to captivate and unite people from all walks of life. It explores the unique stories of individual players, teams, and moments that have left an indelible mark on the sport. It delves into the evolution of baseball strategy, the impact of technology, and the globalization of the game. Baseball's Life and Soul also examines baseball's role in American culture, its intersection with politics, media, and popular entertainment. It sheds light on the controversies and scandals that have rocked the sport, and it pays tribute to the countless individuals who have dedicated their lives to preserving and promoting the game's rich heritage. With meticulous research and passionate storytelling, Baseball's Life and Soul brings the sport to life in a way that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. Whether you're a lifelong fan or a casual enthusiast, this book will deepen your understanding of baseball and ignite a newfound appreciation for its many layers of significance. Baseball's Life and Soul is an invitation to fall in love with the game all over again. It is a timeless tribute to the sport's enduring legacy and a celebration of its ability to transcend generations. If you like this book, write a review on google books! |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: One Nation Under Baseball John Florio, Ouisie Shapiro, 2017-04-01 Engaging and lively history of baseball in the 1960s-- |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: Baseball Books Mike Shannon, 2024-10-14 It is widely, and wrongly, assumed that books are never so valuable as when they lie unopened before us, waiting to be read. Good books bear multiple readings, and not merely because our memories fail us; the desire to repeat a good reading experience can be its own powerful motivation. And for bibliophiles, books can also be works of art, physical objects with an aesthetic value all their own. This guide for the book-loving baseball fan is written by one of the most knowledgeable collectors in the country, author and editor Mike Shannon. Beginning with a history of baseball books and collecting, it also identifies the most sought-after titles and explains how to find them, what to pay, and how to maintain their condition. |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: Turnstyle George Skornickel, 2019-06-14 Turnstyle is the new journal of art and literature published by the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). As editors Joanne Hulbert and Jay Hurd write in their introduction to this inaugural issue, in its pages your eyes will behold the work of many SABR writers and artists who find inspiration in the romance, mythology, history, and discipline that baseball offers. We do not in any way intend to duplicate the great work of other literary baseball journals. Rather we embrace the legacy those journals have bequeathed to us; we are encouraged to continue what has been an integral part of baseball-the art and literature dedicated to the game.In addition to poems, short stories, and articles, the pages are adorned with some of the art of Cuban illustrator and artist Andez. Sprinkled throughout readers will be delighted to find cartoons and excerpts from 19th century newspapers and writing on baseball, including satire from Henry Guy Carleton, Hugh E. Keogh, and Marcus Brick Pomeroy.Includes: -Night Game, by Tom Lagasse-The Case for Baby Doll Jacobson, by B. Craig Grafton-Yakyu Haikus, by Tetsuo Furukawa-What Might Have Been..., by Bill Barna-The Ball, by George R. Skornickel-A Star in the Face of the Sky, by Andrea Long-The Lost Teams, by W.B. (Bryan) Steverson-The Books Must Balance--November 15, by R.J. Lesch-Link to Cuban Baseball Artist Provides a SABR Opportunity, by Bob Brady-Baseball Among the Rice Paddies, by Edwin Epps-The Hall, by Matthew H. Schaedler-An interview with cover artist Andy Brown |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: The Cooperstown Symposium on Baseball and American Culture, 2013-2014 William M. Simons, 2015-01-24 Generally acknowledged as the preeminent gathering of baseball scholars, the annual Cooperstown Symposium on Baseball and American Culture has made significant contributions to baseball research and pedagogy. This collection of 17 new essays is selected from the approximately 100 presentations of the 2013 and the 2014 symposia, covering topics whose importance extends beyond the ballpark. Presented in six themed parts, the essays consider the congruence of culture and baseball, the importance of ballpark itself, the myths, legends and icons of the baseball imagination, international and ethnic game variations, the work of baseball museum curators and a context for the game's rules of play and labor. |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: The Routledge History of American Sport Linda J. Borish, David K. Wiggins, Gerald R. Gems, 2016-10-04 The Routledge History of American Sport provides the first comprehensive overview of historical research in American sport from the early Colonial period to the present day. Considering sport through innovative themes and topics such as the business of sport, material culture and sport, the political uses of sport, and gender and sport, this text offers an interdisciplinary analysis of American leisure. Rather than moving chronologically through American history or considering the historical origins of each sport, these topics are dealt with organically within thematic chapters, emphasizing the influence of sport on American society. The volume is divided into eight thematic sections that include detailed original essays on particular facets of each theme. Focusing on how sport has influenced the history of women, minorities, politics, the media, and culture, these thematic chapters survey the major areas of debate and discussion. The volume offers a comprehensive view of the history of sport in America, pushing the field to consider new themes and approaches as well. Including a roster of contributors renowned in their fields of expertise, this ground-breaking collection is essential reading for all those interested in the history of American sport. |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: Major League Baseball Expansions and Relocations Frank P. Jozsa, Jr., 2010-03-08 This study considers the importance of location for new and relocated major league franchises in the more than 130 years since the National League was founded. Included are an analysis of market differences and similarities, team performances and demographics and area economic comparisons. Market data are used to predict future expansions and relocations of major league teams. |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: Contesting the Myths of Samurai Baseball Christopher T. Keaveney, 2018-03-19 Almost right from the introduction of baseball to Japan the sport was regarded as qualitatively different from the original American model. This vision of Japanese baseball associates the sport with steadfast devotion (magokoro) and the values of the samurai class in the code of Bushidō, in which greatness is achieved through hard work under the tutelage of a selfless master. In Contesting the Myths of Samurai Baseball Keaveney analyzes the persistent appeal of such mythologizing, arguing that the sport has been serving as a repository for traditional values, to which the Japanese have returned time and again in epochs of uncertainty and change. Baseball and modern culture emerged and developed side by side in Japan, giving cultural representations of this national pastime special insights into Japanese values and their contortions from the late nineteenth century to the present day. Keaveney explains the origins of the cultural construct “Samurai baseball” and reflects on the recurrences of these essentialist discourses at critical junctures in Japan’s modern history. Since the early modern period, writers, filmmakers, and manga artists have alternately affirmed and debunked these popular myths of baseball. This study presents an overview of these cultural products, beginning with Masaoka Shiki’s pioneering baseball writings, then moves on to the long history of baseball films and the venerable tradition of baseball fiction, and finally considers the substantial body of baseball manga and anime. Perhaps what is most striking is the continuous relevance of baseball and its values as a point of cultural reference for the Japanese people; their engagement with baseball is a genuine national love affair. “A fascinating study of samurai baseball and the culture it represents viewed through historical and contemporary literature, poetry, manga, and movies. An important, original work that is full of insights. Christopher Keaveney has put enormous effort into researching this book and he is to be congratulated. I learned a lot by reading it.” —Robert Whiting, author of You Gotta Have Wa and The Meaning of Ichiro “Keaveney’s book offers a nuanced introduction to the Japanese model of samurai baseball along with an analysis of many of the works that treat the guiding principles of that model. A fresh look at Japan’s national pastime.” —Bobby Valentine, former MLB player and manager and former manager of the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball “Christopher Keaveney effortlessly combines a thorough knowledge of Japanese baseball—its players, managers, fans—with the cultural productions surrounding it. The result is a nostalgic trip through history and an edifying survey of literature, film, and manga.” —David Desser, professor emeritus, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
| baseball the national pastime in art and literature: Adult Learners Welcome Here Marguerite Crowley Weibel, 2007 Designed to help librarians connect new adult readers with books and to acquaint literacy teachers with materials generally available in their public library. This book outlines the library's role in fostering adult literacy and shows how popular library materials can be used by librarians and teachers in new and innovative ways. |
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*= update: Violence Prevention Hotline: 253-571-1155: Tacoma Metro Parks Rain Out Number is 253-305-1075 Heidelberg Park: (253) 759-9197, Web page
Tacoma Baseball Club 13U & 14U tryouts August 28th
Nov 20, 2021 · Tacoma Baseball Club is looking for one player for our 13u 2021/2022 season. Our club offers year round indoor training with professional instructors at least two days a week …
Tacoma Baseball Club 13U 2021/2022 Tryouts - Tacoma Baseball …
Jun 26, 2021 · Tacoma Baseball Club is looking for players for our 2021/2022 13u season that starts this Oct 2021. Our club offers year round indoor training with professional instructors at …
2022 14U - 3 roster spots to fill - Tacoma Baseball Forum
Aug 3, 2021 · POWER BASEBALL - 2022 14U - 3 roster spots to fill Post by MurrayBaseball » Wed Aug 04, 2021 12:14 am For tryout information or additional team information, email head …
Tacoma Baseball Club 13U 2021 Tryouts July 15th 2021 - Tacoma …
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