America's Pastime

As winter officially turns into spring, much of the country is still enduring a colder year than usual. In the midst of the prolonged cold, the notes of a major season in the American “liturgical” calendar are upon us: the beginning of the professional baseball season. While one could write a poetic tribute to any of the various activities Americans come together and observe, baseball in particular holds a special place in the national imagination.

Baseball seems to check a box in every category of the traditional vision of how humanity spends its free time (especially in the tradition of Joseph Pieper). There is basic amusement and play, obviously contained within the playing of the game. But baseball seems to somehow go a step further, thus earning in the name of national pastime – which refers less to the playing of the game and more to the spectator.

One of the first references to baseball being America’s national pastime dates back to 1843 in the Alexandria Gazette:

“In connection with these remarks, we may say something of the general character of our national amusements. They are too much of the ‘whole hog,’ ‘break down’ order. If we would borrow the French Philosophy of amusement — their promenades, their music, their flowers, their fountains, — and their style of refreshments, so palatable yet so devoid of the grossness and intoxication of ours — we say if we would borrow these, and add to them, in place of French indifference (bordering on infidelity) our own sense of responsibility and of gratitude to the Giver of all Good — how much superior would be our enjoyment, how much more real our gratification — because so much freer from alloy and surfeit — on holy days and public celebrations! — We have been going the ‘whole hog’ long enough. It is time we were revolutionizing a little — it is time that we had seized upon those occasions which bring out the mass, for the improvement of their tastes and habits. National pastimes have a powerful influence over national character, and are, indeed, regarded by historians as among the strongest indices of the peculiarities as well as intelligence of a people.”

There is indeed a contemplative element to baseball. The gameplay is primarily strategic. The majority of time is spent preparing for the action. The need for quick reactions based on habituation in split-second activity allows for the sort of thinking and preparation that leads to greater things (even if to the uninitiated it seems like dead time). This sort of activity, combined with the green grass, the crack of the bat, the din of the crowd, and the smells of peanuts and hotdogs make the entire spectacle a thing to behold.

Further, true re-creative activity is relational. Baseball watching is highly conducive to real relationship with another. What begins in a game analysis leaves time for fraternal discussions. As opposed to other sports that have more in terms of explosive action and diversion, baseball requires a deeper orientation towards contemplation and relationality. It is not surprising that as our society loses its ability for silence and contemplation, it loses interest in baseball.

Finally, baseball is also a microcosm of life. The game is all interconnected. What happens in the third inning directly affects the eighth. And uniquely in the timelessness of baseball and human choice: it’s never over till it’s over: if one is willing, there is always time to achieve victory.

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