Baseball; the Last Great American Pastime by Edward Drobinski - HTML preview

Baseball; the Last Great American Pastime

Page 353

#26- Conclusion

So what happened to the “Great American Pastime?” In

substance, on a professional level, basically nothing. Baseball

is still going strong. Attendance, revenues and salaries

continue to rise.

However on a semi-pro and population participation basis

there has been a marked decline. The barnstorming teams which

were prevalent and competitive in the 1930’s were all but gone

by the early 1950’s. Major Leaguer’s abilities to participate in

these barnstorms is a tale of changing dictums and lawbreakers.

Coupled with the 1947 breaking down of the color barrier, fans

could now see their favorite teams right at home through the

flick of a switch. This same switch flick provided people with

easy access to other entertainment not previously available.

“The Great American Pastime” had competition and through their

TV contracts became in essence, oddly became part of that

competition.

Cable TV, the subsequent Internet, and Video Games

multiplied the possible sources of entertainment by a gigantic,

incomputable factor. Despite this major league baseball, whether

watched at the park or at home, continued to thrive, though the

opening of the entertainment league brought many more

challengers. Somewhere in that period the phrase; “The Great

American Pastime” became less and less spoken. As the trend

continues it will eventually be something only for museums.

Baseball; the Last Great American Pastime

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While the rules and technologies serve as strong

suggestions of a changing society, I cannot help but wonder if

this phenomenon could be adequately explained by the appearance

and disappearance of one person; the Babe. Baseball’s popularity

jumped when he arrived; and became subject to competition just a

bit after he departed. Can you imagine the interest that would

be generated if someone brought up in an orphanage arrived on

the scene today, never took PED’s, led the league in pitching

while simultaneously breaking all the hitting records? Second

place would be five miles behind. Then add to that a guy who

loved kids and spent time talking with them, visiting children’s

hospitals, and signing baseballs. Then add to that. Then add to

that. Then add ............. Now, you’ve almost got the essence

of Babe Ruth. Any game he played would be soon called “The Great

American Pastime.” Like everyone else; Babe, we all wish we

could have seen you just once.

So what happened to “The Last Great American Pastime?” The

game has had its share of changes and controversies; just like

the US and everything else. But, it’s still alive and getting

more popular every year. Nothing has yet taken away its throne.

It’s still “The Last Great American Pastime,” and it looks like

it is going to last. By any measure known, baseball is still at

the top. The “competitors” have no case other than a silly

fleeting one measured in nanoseconds and polls with undisclosed

Baseball; the Last Great American Pastime

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methodologies. And even if the polls have some validity, it

doesn’t really matter. No claim for the crown can be legitimate

until the claimant can demonstrate having been on top for at

least a century.

I don’t know. Maybe everybody just feels compelled to

question all the leaders and concoct spurious “conspiracy

theories” these days.

The End