Texas Tech University Athletics
America's Passion
January 28, 2002 | Baseball
by Adam Quisenberry, Texas Tech Athletic Media Relations
In a time when many people are rushing out of the woodworks to sing America's praises, there is one true constant that has been a staple of American pride for nearly two hundred years, baseball. From the cheap seats at Wrigley Field, the dugout at Yankee Stadium, or the first row at Dan Law, there is one common sight that every baseball fan knows as well as the name of any player. The colors of Old Glory dancing in the wind in every outfield is as much a tradition as the seventh inning stretch.
The flag, however, is much more than a simple site as the flag is a symbol of the game that has become interwoven with America itself. In a world with turmoil, instability and controversy, baseball provides us with an escape. We enjoy the game with our friends, families, and loved ones and ignore our troubles for a few hours.
The game is pure.
In a world of million dollar contracts, big egos, and free agents, baseball is still baseball. Nine men stepping onto a field to play a game. One pitcher trying to get one batter out. Three strikes and your out.
"The great thing about baseball is that baseball has not had to change to honor America." said Texas Tech head coach Larry Hays, "Baseball has honored America all the way through. The change is how players and fans react. In veterans and many older people you would see the respect and pride in their eyes during the national anthem. Now it means the same thing for everyone."
Since its beginnings, baseball has always been part of something greater than itself. Baseball is America's game. Its modern origins are traced back to a United States Army officer by the name of Abner Doubleday who helped lay the groundwork for the game. While there are other influences that possibly led to the development of the game, there is no doubt that no one has taken baseball to new heights like the American people. During the second World War it was baseball who stepped back and said to itself, it is only a game. Legends of the game such as Ted Williams, Stan Musial, and Joe Dimaggio left the game during some of the peak years of their career to fight. The service was not just by a few top-notch players as the minor leagues sent over four thousand players to become soldiers.
But more than sending troops to fight, baseball has always served a greater purpose for the American people during times of crisis. It has provided a sense of "normalcy", a word that has been thrown around a lot lately. It provides us escape for our troubles and allows us to join in something that has bonded countless Americans for decades. During depressions, world wars, stock market crashes, and national tragedies, there was one place you know you could get away from it all for at least a little while, the ballpark.
At the ballpark our biggest concern is whether the home team can find a way to come back in the ninth. After the terrible events of Sept. 11, the baseball world, like the rest of the world, stopped. When the game returned, it provided a relief for shell shocked Americans who had been bombarded with scenes of horrific images for three straight days. We all let go of our fear of terrorism for an afternoon to see Barry Bonds continue his amazing home run streak.
For a brief moment in time, whether we are at the game, watching on TV, or listening on the radio we are no longer man or woman, child or adult, black or white. We are just fans. We stand together with our fingers crossed, hoping and praying the same prayer, "let him do it just one more time" so that we can forever remember this moment in the back of our minds.
Baseball means so much more for Americans outside the traditional ballpark. The game is played in backyards, alleys, sandlots and city streets. Playing catch is such a small aspect of the game, but for generations, it has bonded fathers and sons, brothers, sisters and families. Baseball means taking a break from working to spend time with those people in our lives that really matter.
Baseball helps to teach us life lessons. It helps us learn, to work as a team, to strive to succeed, and to be a part of something greater than ourselves.
"What I like about baseball is that it's like life, it is right or wrong, safe or out, ball or strike, there is a justice there." said Hays
Many people remember the first time their parents took them to a ballpark or put a ball in our hands more than their first day at school. This is an experience that has genuinely become an American tradition.
In the wild excitement of a baseball game there is one moment when everyone and everything is silent and still, the National Anthem. Most of us have known the words all of our lives but now more than ever they take on a new meaning. We sing them with our hand over our heart and with joyful tears in our eyes. The Star Spangled Banner reminds us of the valiant efforts by our countrymen and how a sport like baseball can make us one people, a UNITED States of America.
