Karen La Corte

Karen is an etiquette and manners expert certified by the Emily Post Institute in Vermont . She is the incoming board president of the Gilroy Foundation , and supports several community non-profit organizations . Send your questions to : karen @ marxtowing . com

Baseball began as an amateur game back in the 1840 ’ s . By 1856 , baseball had been dubbed “ America ’ s National Pastime ” but play was mostly centered in the New York area . In Civil War years , Northern soldiers spread the game to their Southern counterparts . The game became a much needed diversion for soldiers on both sides ( 1 ). By 1862 , the sport became a means to provide exercise for the overcrowded Confederate prisoners of war deemed “ unfit ” to take place in a North-South prisoner exchange ( 2 ). By 1869 the “ National Association of Base Ball Players ” ( NABBP ) organization had 400 teams across the country with teams as far away as California . In 1876 , the newly formed National League of Base Ball Players ( NLPBBP ) struck agreements in favor of teams over players and banned non-white players . Segregation had reared its ugly head , and talent was no longer the only criteria needed to play ( 3 ).

The National and American Leagues were established in 1871 , becoming two of the first professional sports leagues in America . During World War I , 227 major leaguers served in the military . In World War II , more than 500 players served in the armed forces ( 4 ). President Roosevelt ’ s “ Green Light Letter ” gave baseball a much needed endorsement to continue during wartime as he felt it was a morale booster for the Country during difficult times ( 5 ). As many pro teams disbanded due to their young men being drafted into service , our Nation ’ s women stepped up to the plate , answering the recruitment calls from the newly formed “ All- American Girls Professional Baseball League ” inspired by chewing-gum mogle Phillip K . Wrigley ( 6 ).

Professional baseball , as we know it today , eventually re-integrated in 1947 when Jackie Robinson started at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers . Robinson later became a key symbol

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of equality as other players joined the professional ranks based on talent alone . During the civil rights struggles of the 1960 ’ s , baseball continued to integrate ( 7 ).

Professional baseball has offered comfort during trying times in America . President Bush threw out the first pitch of the World Series in Game Three in New York after 9 / 11 to show our Nation ’ s resolve and strength . Boston , Texas , and many other communities have also used baseball to help heal after terrorist attacks and mass assaults .( 8 )

Baseball in America entertains , unifies , and comforts . It teaches courage and respect and is an American family tradition that is passed down through generations . Baseball is played by young and old of all skill levels , in city leagues , travel leagues , schools and universities . I know folks whose lifestyle revolves around watching or listening to their favorite team play .

Frankly speaking , the ballpark frank , aka , the frankfurter or hot dog , is connected to baseball more than any other food . It is also associated with summertime , camping , and the cart outside the courthouse . Steamed or grilled , they are usually served in a bun . A simple hot dog may be eaten with just mustard or a plethora of condiments from chili to cheese fondue .

The history of the hot dog dates back to Germany in 1600 . A German butcher , Johann Georghehna , combined bread and “ dachshunds ,” or “ little-dog sausages .” This famous hot dog came to Coney Island in 1871 . In 1938 , Eleanor Roosevelt insisted that hot dogs were to be included on the menu when Crown Princess Louise of Sweden picnicked with the Roosevelts . Eleanor then served hot dogs again in 1939 when King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of England visited America . The King loved the American “ snack ” and the Queen ate her dog with a fork and knife . Very “ Queenly ” indeed !

There ’ s a hot dog to fit every culture in America . Some examples are the Tijuana dog ( wrapped in bacon and piled with traditional taco toppings ), the slaw dogs in the South , a hot dog served with eggs in Jersey , the Philly combo , to the Chinese hot dog of the 1960 ’ s ( dogs wrapped like Chinese dumplings ) to name a few . But baseball crowds are still the number one consumer of the all-American hot dog . Dodger Stadium brags that they sell the most hot dogs in the major league--some 2.5 million each year !

“ As American as apple pie ” is a patriotic phrase that depicts being typically American . In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries , apple pie became a symbol of American prosperity and national pride . During Fourth of July celebrations , Rhode Island army officers ate apple pie during the Siege of Petersburg . During World War II , soldiers boasted that they were going to war “ for Mom and apple pie .” Though apples themselves originate from

Asia , apple pie can be traced back to England in the late 14th century . Apples made their way to America in the mid 1600 ’ s by the Swedish , Dutch and British immigrants . Pennsylvania Dutch women pioneered methods of preserving apples so they could make apple pie any time of the year . Before this , the first apples in the United States were used for cider as they were tart . Settlers then proceeded to declare the apple pie “ uniquely American ” ignoring its roots as recipes were recorded in America ’ s first-known cookbook , American Cookery , published in 1798 . Its roots may not be American , but it ’ s popularity in our Nation ’ s history has been woven into our culture .

It ’ s the simple things in life that tend to make us the most happy . I have fond memories of playing street ball on Eschenburg Drive growing up . Little League baseball games in Gilroy were broadcast on the radio back in the 1960 ’ s from our bona fide Little League ballpark behind Glen View School . My father listened to Giants ’ games on his transistor radio . Little did I know that the man I would marry would become a professional baseball player . My family grilled hot dogs for most of our backyard gatherings , and my mom baked the best apple pie I ’ ve ever had !

What are your favorite memories of hot dogs , baseball and apple pie ? I hope you and your family make some new ones this Summer !

Ref : ( 1 ) americanhistory . si . edu , ( 2 )( 8 ) baseballhall . org , ( 3 ) baseball-reference . com , ( 4 ) medium . com , ( 5 ) bleacherreport . com , ( 6 ) aagpbl . org , ( 7 ) jackierobinson . com ,

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