  |
|
|
|
Baseball Traditions and RitualsHistory of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” and the Chicken Dance
Through its American history, baseball has revolved around tradition and ritual, from performing the Chicken Dance, the Wave and the Seventh Inning Stretch.
From hot dogs, to the Star-Spangled Banner, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” and the Seventh Inning Stretch, baseball has been bursting with tradition and lore since its beginnings. Baseball History in BriefAlthough youngsters have been playing baseball since the early 1800s, it wasn’t until Alexander Cartwright designed the structure and rules of the game of baseball in 1945 that the game became popularized as America’s “national pastime”. It took another 20 years before a national association of players official formed. The first professional team played in 1869, named the Cincinnati Red Stockings. The national association of professional baseball players formed in 1871. Baseball Traditions: Song and DanceEntangled in baseball history is the history of baseball tradition and ritual. Fans have been enveloped in baseball lore since the beginning. The first recorded song referring to baseball was “The Baseball Polka”, written in 1858. The Library of Congress has published a bibliography containing over 400 songs dedicated to the subject of baseball. The Seventh Inning Stretch and “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” Whether it was invented by President Taft, Brother Jasper or Harry Wright of the Cinncinnati Red Stockings, the seventh inning stretch has long been a part of baseball. No one is sure who should be credited with the invention but fans do enjoy the opportunity to stand and stretch. Now considered baseball’s unofficial anthem, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” is sung in ballparks around the nation during the mid-point of the seventh inning. The song was first written by Jack Norworth in 1908, beginning as a poem about baseball. The song is set to music composed by Albert Von Tilzer. “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” is considered the last of the Tin Pan Alley music, parlor piano music of the early 1900s. Chicago broadcaster Harry Caray may have been the first to associate the song with the Seventh Inning Stretch. The Chicken Dance How did a silly polka song written by a Swiss accordion player become a part of baseball tradition, and beyond? Originally a success in Europe, the song, “Dance Little Bird” came to America in the 1970s, where it was used in commercials, and children’s music collections. Not only is the song a part of baseball and sporting events, the song is more popular than many other dance and party songs. No matter how the song became a part of baseball, the silly “Chicken Dance” is considered fun, urging fans to make a fool of themselves, in order to lighten the spirits and create a light-hearted environment. Other songs like the Village People’s “Y.M.C.A” are also a popular way for baseball fans to be silly and have fun. Sources: Baseball Almanac Library of Congress Oktoberfest - Huntington Beach, California
The copyright of the article Baseball Traditions and Rituals in Baseball is owned by Aurae Beidler. Permission to republish Baseball Traditions and Rituals in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
|
|
|
|
