CLASSIC BASEBALL
The Babe
BASEBALL AMERICANA
As a kid growing up around the game of baseball, you dream about two things; playing in the Major Leagues and going to the Hall of Fame. Luckily for me, one of those dreams came true today. Visiting the Hall of Fame truly did make the trip. Baseball is not just about throwing, hitting and catching. It is a game that has been played in peace and in war; a game that has brought countries together; a game that broke the color barrier and a game that women played when our country was in turmoil. The history of baseball can be taught in the classroom in all content areas. Baseball is a game of physics, poetry, inches and equality. Baseball also has had its share of controversy; Blacksox scandal, racial discrimination, riots, labor strikes and steroids to name o few. The game is so important to many Americans, that the government has stepped in on many of these issues. Cooperstown is located in NY and has a population of 2,oo0 but during inaguartion, the town swells to 75,000. So visiting the Hall of Fame is not just about baseall, it is about life.
Upon arriving we met in the education center. Anna our tour guide gave a great presentation on bringing the Hall of Fame into the classroom. She gave us samples for science, math, English, character education, race, gender, geography, economics and labor. Another cool tool she showed us was video conferencing, linking students in the classroom directly to the hall. It truly is a place for all teachers and students to be eduacated in a plethora of areas.
The one that fits in with our school right now is the character education piece. We are having a new curriculum for freshmen next year called Bulldog Pride. This is to help freshmen transition into high school and make them feel pride about their school, community and education. Having good character is something that these young students will need to be successful and using the baseball curriculum will be an interesting and exciting experience.
Once we were free to tour the museum it was baseball heaven. Being able to see all the people that contributed to the game over the years was incredible. Many of the events you see on television and remember how it unfolded. The artifacts in the Hall are like all other museums there is a story about every artifact. It is history frozen in time. Reminiscing with others on the trip and hearing how they saw and remembered players was awesome. People remembered players and events differently and bringing those stories together is what it is all about. Seeing the Latin and African-American section was humbling. These players went through a lot to play a game that they loved. They had to knock down many barriers before they got there. The sad part was many people that were great ball players never got to play in the Major Leagues because of their color. Now Latin America is a breeding ground for the elite player. How times have changed. Also, going through the plaque room was awe inspiring. Reading about all the players and seeing your favorite plaques is something I won’t forget. What is fun is discussing the players that should be in the Hall and those that will be there soon. The one thing that brought the Hall of Fame home was seeing the Rockies own Ubaldo Jimenez’s no hit baseball and cap. If I were to have a favorite moment it was seeing Nolan Ryan and his seven no hitters. He was my idol growing up and my son is named after him. Baseball is the only occupation where if you fail seven out of ten times you still are a success (baseball fans know what I mean). There is nothing better than the smell of the grass, crack of the bat or the pop of the glove; Baseball is Americana.
By the way, we went to the Fenimore Art museum and the Farmers museum; two wonderful places. The Fenimore Museum at a great Magnum Photo collection and the Farmers Musuem was neat because there was people working from the time period. We did have a great dinner over looking Blackbird Bay.
I have to admit I wanted to read baseball “junkies” blogs on this one! Sports, and baseball in American history, are iconic to our country. You painted a great picture of what this game has provided to America through the last century. It is a little sad that the street ball that is providing the dreams for young boys is happening less in our streets than those of other countries. Great blog and your love of the game is evident! Kelli Archuleta
Mike
Baseball is life. We go through our lives with teams, be they family, co-workers, friends and acquaintances, but our contributions depend on what we do individually, one at a time, like baseball. In baseball, you must make a choice to succeed, you can’t let the clock run out. Life needs to be that way. People need to make choices, and not just let the clock run out on their lives.
Paul