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 Sports are steeped in traditions but no sport is more focused on numbers and traditions than in Baseball.
Singing of the National Anthem
Depending on the magnitude of the game determines the singer of the National Anthem. For the playoff games/World Series games, usually a well known singer is chosen. For the other games it usually falls into the hands of local-but still qualified- singers to do the job. Just make sure to remove your hat and stand for the National Anthem whether it is our own or another country; its just respect.
Read my list of the best baseball traditions after the jump.
The Ceremonial First Pitch
Though this tradition has been longstanding the MLB, most fans do not know how or why it started.
Contrary to popular belief, the first well known ceremonial "First Pitch" actually occurred in Japan in 1908 when Okuma Shigenobu, the former Japanese Prime Minister and founder of Waseda University took the ball in his hands and tossed it to the catcher. The team playing against the Japanese host collegian team just so happened to be a team from the US.
On opening day two years later, the big wig owner of the Washington Senators wanted the golden opportunity to socialize with politicians from the capital which included the current administration of President William Taft.
Before the game, the managers had been introduced and the home plate umpire handed the ball to Taft (who was an avid sports fan) and asked him to throw out the first pitch. Little did the former President know, but he was setting the MLB up for a new tradition in Ceremonial First Pitches.
Want to read more on the ceremonial first pitch in baseball? Check out the story we did on just that includes the best and worst first pitches of all time....
The Ceremonial First Pitch: The Good, The Bad and The History
Singing Take Me Out To The Ball Game
The signature song sung during the 7th inning stretch is learned by all Americans at a very young age. I can't remember ever being taught the song, but I have always known it.
Of course you cannot mention this famous song with out mentioning Hall of Fame Sports Caster Harry Caray. For those who do not know, Caray was responsible for making the singing of the song a 7th inning tradition with fans.
Apparently Caray was so enthusiastic about singing the song, his radio producer at the time turned on Caray's mic without his knowledge and thus the fan favorite tradition was born. (early 1970's)
Continue Reading our in-depth look at the history of the song that includes the best and worst people who have ever attempted to sing it...
Baseball Traditions: Take Me Out To the Ball Game
Other Favorite Traditions:
Pitchers Throwing to First Base
The idea of attending a game is to get in the head of the visiting team to try and give your team a home field advantage. Thus is the reason why fans boo anytime a visiting pitcher makes a throw to first base to try and pick off the runner. Another great time to boo is when the visiting pitcher seems to be in a bit of a jam and his team mates or manager try to talk to him, you as a fan should boo as loudly as you can to make it nosier for the teammates/coaches to communicate their thoughts, thus frustrating the pitcher more.
Throwing Home Run Balls on Field
If you are lucky enough to be able to attend a baseball game it is customary that when a home run is hit by the visiting team, you have to throw it back into the field of play. The idea to this is that no self-righteous fan would want to keep a ball hit by the opposing team. Many times you will be forgiven if you keep a visitor’s homerun ball; unless of course it is an arch rival of the team.
New Baseballs
In the old days the same ball was used for most of the game but nowadays one player may foul off five or six balls in one at bat creating a need for a new ball. Pitchers also request a new ball when it gets a little dirt on it. The Mets took 1200 dozen baseballs to spring training with them to show how many baseballs are used just in spring training. If 70 balls are used in a game then it costs about $700 just for that one game.
Groundskeepers Helping Home Team
Groundskeepers can alter a field to help the home team. If an opposing team has some excellent base stealers then the groundskeepers can wet the field down enough to slow the base runners that had to run in sludge instead of dirt making it hard for them to get the good jump to steal a base. If the home team has good bunters then they can configure the field to let balls stay fair instead of rolling foul.
Fireworks at Baseball Games
Some teams have hired fireworks companies to present spectacular fireworks shows after a game especially on the 4th of July.
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