Let's Play Ball

“Take me to the ball game, take me out with the crowd” are the opening lines to the infamous song that continues to be song during what is called the 7^th ending stretch at major league baseball games.  It’s a classic and has been around since 1908 and written by Jack Norworth.  Over time the song has gone through a few revisions, but in essence it has remained the same.  It is consider just as much a part of the game than as the game itself.   

Baseball continues to calls itself “America’s Pastime” game.  That was true before the rise of other sports, NFL, College Football, Pro Tennis, Golf, NASCAR and Hockey.  Of course with television, cable, satellite and the internet, sporting events can be viewed 24/7, plus reruns.  It was the game all people could play.  It was played after school, during recess, on weekends, in small towns, inner city neighborhoods and that is how most Americans…“passed the time.”  

However, a lot has changed since and questions continue to grow about “America’s pastime” game.  The professional game has lost a lot of its luster over the past few decades with players linked to steroids, HGH (Human Growth Hormone), behaviors and other drugs.  In addition, the high player salaries, ticket prices, tax payer’s bailouts, public funding for stadiums, lack of community service from players, greed and a decrease in the number of American born players now in the modern game.   In so many ways, the game with all its rich past, legendary heroes, historical venues and untapped potential, is itself its worst enemy.  

If it is to survive, it cannot become a game where only those who can afford it, can attend.  It has to be the game that little kids and the average person want to play.   From t-ball, slow pitch, high school … to minor and major league teams, the game has to return and become a catalyst for change.  More has to be done to inspire a new generation or two to return to “America’s Pastime” game.  It must change it direction, cleanup it act and reach down, for future generations are looking.   Then perhaps the rest of the song makes some sense… “Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack, I don’t care if I never get back, Let me root, root, root for the home team, If they don’t win it’s a shame.  For its one, two, three strikes, you’re out, at the old ball game.”    Batter UP!!!