Still America’s Pastime

Baseball is America’s national pastime because it remains an important part of America’s daily life after more than 175 years. Many Americans mark personal milestones with baseball-related memories. Baseball is deeply ingrained in American life for several reasons. Its America’s oldest sport, it was part of the Civil Rights movement, and baseball attracts more fans than football, basketball and hockey combined. It has woven itself into the fabric of American life like no other sport.   

Baseball traces its origins back to 1791 and the English game of rounders. By 1845 baseball had unique rules. Its first professional team, the New York Knickerbockers, played their first game that year at Elysian Fields, Hoboken, New Jersey. The National League was formed in 1869 and the American League in 1901. By contrast, football started in 1880 and the NFL kicked-off in 1920. Basketball began in 1891 and the NBA started in 1946.

Following World War II, Americans turned their lives to rebuilding the country. The Civil Rights movement was an important part of the new country. Baseball became part of the Civil Rights movement when Jackie Robinson joined the Dodgers in 1947. Jackie, and Dodger teammates Roy Campanella and Don Newcomb, were important allies of Martin Luther King Jr. in the Civil Rights movement.

Last year Major League Baseball drew 68.5 million fans while the NBA played in front of 21.9 million and the NFL 8.5 million. Unique to baseball are its minor league teams, playing in 172 towns across America from Aberdeen, Maryland to Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Anecdotally, Little League Baseball has 2.8 million kids playing on 180 thousand teams.

Baseball is truly America’s national pastime and I can’t wait for the 2020 season. Yes folks, “It’s time for Dodger baseball.”

Lynn McGinnis

Glendale

Keeping Safe While Walking in Neighborhoods

With the “Safer at Home” order, many people are now walking in the neighborhoods. Please stay safe on your walks: if you are walking in the street because there are no sidewalks remember to walk facing the oncoming traffic. It’s safer for everyone, and it’s the law. If there are sidewalks, you must walk on the sidewalk. And if you are wearing gloves and carrying a plastic bag, you can pick up all kinds of “treasures” and help keep our streets and parkways clean.

Anne McNeill

La Crescenta