On June 29th, the Library of Congress opens a yearlong exhibition “Baseball
Americana” that celebrates baseball as a community, and at the same time
the D.C. community gets ready to host Major League Baseball’s 89 th All-Star Game at Washington’s National Park on July 17th. The
exhibition tells the story of the game’s origins, its contemporary
character, how the game has stayed true to its traditions and areas where
it has diverged. It also features ongoing conversations and connections
between baseball’s rugged past and its refined present, along with showing
how baseball has long forged a sense of community.
The exhibition is organized into five sections:
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“Origins and Early Days” features the development
of baseball from its early forms, when Massachusetts Town Ball and
the New York Game battled for supremacy, to the game we know today. -
“Who’s Playing?” encompasses the variety of
participants and the diverse array of ball clubs that ruled the
sandlot, barnstormed the country or occupied magnificent stadiums.
Integral pieces of this story are the players who fought for the
right to play as equals regardless of their race, ethnicity or
gender. -
“At the Ballpark” examines traditions and changes
in the architecture and accoutrements of baseball, fan interaction,
music and media coverage. -
“The Promise of Baseball” explores the many ways
that the sport gave poor players a path out of poverty and new
immigrants have access and ability to help shape American culture,
as well as the economics and business of baseball and how the game
has been used for diplomacy beyond U.S. borders. -
“The Art and Science of Baseball” considers the
constant and changing views of mastering the game, building a team,
getting an edge, tracking statistics and the art of winning.
Some of the featured artifacts are the first handwritten and printed
references to baseball in America, including the “Laws of Base Ball” from
1857, which historians have called the “Magna Carta” of the game; early
rules of the game; historical baseball images, including a lithograph of
prisoners of war playing baseball in captivity during the Civil War and
photographs from baseball throughout the decades.
Other exhibit highlights include familiar players from some of the great
collections of early baseball cards; Babe Ruth’s 1921 agreement with the
New York Yankees; Dottie Key’s uniform from the Rockford Peaches; Jackie
Robinson’s letter expressing his thanks and appreciation to baseball
executive Branch Rickey after he broke baseball’s color barrier; beloved
baseball movies and early flickering footage from the late 1800s;
broadcasts of iconic baseball moments and rare interviews and clips of Hall
of Fame players, including Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson and others.
Kids will love the historical images, baseball cards, a baseball
card-themed photo station, a touch-and-feel wall with old and new baseball
equipment, interactive trivia spinners and even Babe Ruth’s shoes. All will
experience how baseball has created a community for generations.
In conjunction with the exhibition, the Library of Congress has a series of
special programs including family activities, gallery talks, film
screenings, panel discussions, educational materials and teacher workshops,
docent-led tours and more. “Baseball Americana” will be on view in the
Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. S.E., Washington, D.C.
The exhibition will be free and open to the public Monday through Saturday,
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. loc.gov/baseball
Aim for the All-Stars!
All-Star Week in D.C. is July 13-17. There’s a lot more that goes on in
addition to the actual All-Star Game:
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All-Star FanFest
– an interactive baseball festival where fans will have the
opportunity to step into batting cages, get autographs from MLB
legends, take photos with the World Series Trophy and much more. -
PLAY BALL PARK
– a free, outdoor space down at The Yards to play pick-up or
participate in organized games. MLB and its programming partners
provide fun, engaging and educational activities for youth baseball
and softball players and their families – all in the backdrop of
the Midsummer Classic. -
All-Star Sunday Doubleheader
– the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game will showcase the superstars
of tomorrow followed by the All-Star Legends & Celebrity
Softball Game. -
Home Run Derby
– showcases the game’s top sluggers for a chance to be crowned Home
Run Derby champion. -
All-Star Game
– featuring the world’s best baseball players on the field under
the lights in the nation’s capital.
For more information see allstargame.com.
Take Me Out to the Ballgame!
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Bethesda Big Train
The Bethesda Big Train, now in its 20th season, is a collegiate
summer baseball team. Most of its players are drawn from the college ranks.
The team is a member of the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League (CRCBL),
and derives its name from the nickname of Hall of Fame pitcher Walter
Johnson, who was a Bethesda resident for 10 years. The Big Train plays its
home games at Shirley Povich Field. bigtrain.org -
Potomac Nationals
The Potomac Nationals are a Minor League Baseball team of the Carolina
League and the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Washington Nationals.
Notable alumni include Barry Bonds, Jordan Zimmermann, Ian Desmond and Andy
Pettitte. They play their home games at Northwest Federal Field at Pfitzner
Stadium, 7 County Complex Ct., Woodbridge, VA 22191. milb.com/potom -
The Bowie Baysox
The Bowie Baysox are a Minor League Baseball team located in Bowie,
Maryland. They are the Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles and play
in the Eastern League. The team’s home ballpark is Prince George’s Stadium.
baysox.com -
District of Columbia Grays
A member of the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League, the DC Grays are
named in honor of the Negro League champion Homestead Grays. The mission of
the Grays is to provide opportunities for college players, particularly
African-American players, to develop their skills against some of the top
college players in the country, and give inner city youth a chance to learn
the great game of baseball. Their home field is at the Nationals Youth
Academy; 3675 Ely Pl. SE, Washington, D.C. 20019. dcgrays.com -
Hall of Fame Weekend in Cooperstown, NY
Hall of Fame Weekend 2018 will be held July 27-30 in Cooperstown, NY with
the annual Induction Ceremony to be held at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 29 at
the Clark Sports Center. Jack Morris and Alan Trammell, elected by the
Modern Baseball Era Committee on Dec. 10, will be joined on stage by
Baseball Writers’ Association of America electees Vladimir Guerrero, Trevor
Hoffman, Chipper Jones and Jim Thome. The weekend will include many family
programs, including the July 28 Parade of Legends and the July 30 Legends of the Game Roundtable discussion event with the
inductees. While a trip to Cooperstown is simply not complete without a
trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame, the town offers a handful of other
museums to enjoy, including Fenimore Art Museum and the Farmers Museum.
baseballhall.org/visit/hall-of-fame-weekend.
