The game of baseball was invented by Abner Doubleday, in 1839- 177 years ago from today. Baseball has been, and is still today, known as America’s favorite pastime; additionally, due to its extensive history and partaking it monumental events, it can as well serve as a great topic to use in a story or poem. Poet Dale Ritterbusch, uses the game of baseball along with metaphors in his poem as a vehicle to write about a more substantial subject in poetry, the Vietnam War. His poem, “Behind the Plate”, can be simply over-looked to one as just a poem about an overweight catcher; nonetheless, when closely examined, it has a deeper meaning. Authors Michael Cocchiarale and Scott Emmert, both agree with the statement that baseball is a great outlet for further analysis of a more important subject: “Writers have seen sports, particularly baseball, as a useful vehicle for cultural and epistemological analysis” (Cocchiarale). The poem, “Behind the Plate”, starts off with the line: “Always the dumbest and fattest kid played catcher” (Ritterbusch, “Behind”); however, Dale Ritterbusch chose to start this poem with that statement for a reason- it sets a tone for the rest of the poem to have a certain meaning. The fat catcher is known to specifically represent America in the Vietnam War; the catcher is fat because, well, in history catchers in baseball are often overweight. Additionally, in general- one who is fat in sports often has a disadvantage, even in the case of being a catcher, and
I have loved baseball for years, but by the time I was a freshman at Laurel High School, I had precious little experience. The chances of me playing baseball in most high schools were slim, but this was Laurel. America’s favorite pastime was treated there as a vestige of years long forgotten. The athletic director ignored us, the students didn’t support us, and the school funded us just enough to say that they had a baseball program. Tucked away in a forgotten corner of the campus in the gloomy shadows of the tower from which football games were announced, the baseball diamond was the school’s disgrace. The dugouts were dismal cinder block bunkers with peeling paint and a propensity to flood. Grass was scarce where it was supposed to be and
More than any other sports, baseball sits highly on the throne of America. The heroic sport calls for fond memories from stacking tiny baseball figurines to betting large sums of money on the winning player. Behind every swing of the bat lies the recorded scores, broadcasted reports, tales, and legends that all American boys and girls hear. During the 1900s, baseball was everyone's favorite sport and source of entertainment. Films, documentaries and short stories rose to display the magical American love for baseball. In one case, W.P. Kinsella illustrates the prominent theme of love in the baseball fan favorite novel, “Shoeless Joe Jackson Comes to Iowa” and its film adaption. Ray Kinsella, through his love for baseball and receiving support from his family, is transformed from a mundane farmer into a baseball hero that drives Archibald Wright into discovering a critical passion.
In Jeffrey Schranks’ short story, “Sport and the American Dream”, he is trying to show us that the sport America watches and plays, portrays America’s character as a nation. Since America goes from baseball to football we it shows us that we are becoming more violent. his comparisons of sports and war is says best how America changes as a country over the years. Back when baseball was Americas’ pastime to being a totally football country. When we were a baseball country, Americans were happier, not many cared about wars or violence just the enjoyment they got from watching the games with friends or family at the ballpark. It didn’t matter that the sport wasn’t moving at a fast pace or so competitive. Football is the
(Angell 326). The description is so clear that a reader might as well be watching the game from the stands. That provides a certain connection with the sport that is not easily broken, particularly from the best moments. It truly does make baseball seem like the perfect historical past time, and Angell executes it
There are many question about how the great game of baseball originally started and how it has grown to become Americas game that so many of us enjoy so much as little kids until till we die. Baseball is one of the only games today where the rules of the game have stayed the same since a guy named Abner Doubleday first evolved the game in 1845. Then he went on to be a Civil War hero shortly after as the game of Baseball became Americas beloved national pastime.
Like the bald eagle, baseball has become an icon for the term “American”. It was the nation’s first major sport and quickly was coined America’s pastime. It was created from a combination of other games during the 1840’s and became increasingly popular during the years of the Civil War (Brinkley 392). In their
The game of baseball was invented by Abner Doubleday, in 1839- 177 years ago from today. Baseball has been, and is still today, known as America’s favorite pastime; additionally, due to its extensive history and partaking it monumental events, it can as well serve as a great topic to use in a story or poem. Poet Dale Ritterbusch, uses the game of baseball along with metaphors in his poem as a vehicle to write about a more substantial subject in poetry, the Vietnam War. His poem, “Behind the Plate”, can be simply over-looked to one as just a poem about an overweight catcher; nonetheless, when closely examined, it has a deeper meaning. Authors Michael Cocchiarale and Scott Emmert, both agree with the statement that baseball is a great outlet for further analysis of a more important subject: “Writers have seen sports, particularly baseball, as a useful vehicle for cultural and epistemological analysis” (Cocchiarale).
When viewing the stanza of the poem “Analysis of Baseball” the author describes the game of baseball. Using the elements personification, onomatopoeia, consonance and, rhymes words. So, therefore the poem can come alive to many baseball fans. The author also uses metaphor to compare bat, ball, and mitt.
In 1839 Americas soon to be favorite past time was invented right here in New York, Baseball. Baseball whether you like the game or not, has weaved itself deeply into our culture and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. There are countless movies, articles, songs, playing cards, bobble heads, merchandise and books all made about baseball. The players are often idolized by children and adults alike. Baseball in our country was and still is a huge topic of discussion, whose batting average is higher, which team is better, is someone cheating. Troy Maxson like many American’s knows a lot about baseball like how striking out is bad and homeruns are how you win but there are things about baseball that Troy doesn’t know. The article, Walking Around the Fences: Troy Maxson and the Ideology of “Going Down Swinging”, written by David Letzler. Letzler Delves into the ideology of batting and walks in baseball in explanation of the main character Troy Maxson of August Willison’s play Fences, and his thought process of going down swinging and Troy’s thoughts on some of the major league players of that time.
Baseball has always been something that I have loved. Whenever I get the opportunity to be around baseball I am. I enjoy every aspect of the game, the pastime and now. That is why I chose the piece of art I did for this paper. For my piece of artwork, I didn’t choose a piece of art that was extremely famous by any means. I actually chose a piece of art that most people probably don’t even know exists. The piece of art I chose was Ebbets Field Giclee on Canvas by a man named Al Sorenson. Neither the painting or the artist are known very well, but this work of art actual made me feel something when I looked at it that provided me with the urge to write my paper about it. Some people may not enjoy it, but the sole fact that
Baseball might not be war, but it required tough men to play it.” It appeared that there were multiple goals that sporting magazines had in mind. One primary goal was to pledge baseball’s support to the Union in the fight against the rebels, and this would be instrumental in baseball becoming America’s National Pastime. The patriotism of baseball players marching off to the defense of the Union set a proud tone for the sport. Another goal of the sporting papers was to maintain baseball’s relevance to daily life and ensure its survival through the conflict. In remaining a constant presence in the background of the spectator’s life, the sport kept a valuable foothold within the American life. The uniqueness of baseball’s position in the media also granted a defusing role. Sporting magazines continued to report on sports, which provided a relief from the growing list of casualties constantly being reported by other news
The article “America’s Pastime” by Robert S. Fay and Tom Pfannoch, teaches readers about the history of baseball. The first unofficial baseball games were played in the early 1800’s, these games otherwise known as “town ball”. One of the earliest organizations to influence modernized baseball was the knickerbockers, the knickerbockers put together a set of rules and gave the game structure which helped standardize how the game is played today. Soon after, the game spread throughout the country and gained popularity among players and spectators as well, which led to the professional sport of baseball. Following the professionalization of the sport many leagues were formed, the present day MLB (Major League Baseball) has been considered America’s
Baseball has for a long time been a staple in the American sporting culture as baseball and America have grown up together. Exploring the different ages and stages of American society, reveals how baseball has served as both a public reflection of, and vehicle for, the evolution of American culture and society. Many American ways including our landscapes, traditional songs, and pastimes all bear the mark of a game that continues to be identified with America's morals and aspirations. In this paper I will be addressing the long residuals of baseball as it specifically relates to the emergence of the
There are two styles in baseball fields, the modern ones and the classic ones. At US Cellular Field, they destroyed the best part of the stadium. They changed the classic lollipops. The lollipops are the seven pinwheel-looking decorations popping out of the scoreboard. Ever since I was two and had been going to sox games, the lollipops always entertain me more than the actual baseball.
Various aspects of life represent America in different ways. These aspects shape the history of America, at the same time, the history and values America has shaped them. When one talks about baseball, one thing that comes clearly into one’s mind is America. Why? America is the origin of baseball; it puts in more effort to ensure the game advances. Since the development of baseball, other countries across the globe identify and value America based on baseball in different ways. The script utilizes photos to disclose some ways through which baseball characterizes and values America.