BASEBALL, the game destined to grow into a competitive sport enjoyed by all of our huddled masses, projected itself onto the American landscape. It was unequalled in passion and became our "National Pastime."
We enjoyed Camelot where the brave Knights with armor and sword dared defend the honor and the prestige of the King. Utopia ! The place where all good things dwell.
Dorothy in her wonderment following the yellow brick road and the visit with the Wizard of Oz made things right with her friends. Baseball in its finest hour had the same effect upon the American scene as our hearts were filled with the joy of BASEBALL. Dorothy made it safely back to Kansas. Baseball will continue its journey to visit the Wizard.
All was well in the mid 1800s. America was struggling and yearning to prove to the world our place of power prestige and respect in the grand order of things. America fiercely strove to prove itself in world politics, culture and military matters. America also took to heart the need for physical activity to foster its image as a budding young nation and its survival.
Baseball became the sport claiming to be American by deed and origin. Baseball and the sport grew like a sweeping wild prairie fire. Communities, towns and playgrounds across the entire country took to the game and the participation and fan following was phenomenal.
Baseball, however, was not Camelot or Utopia wrapped in one beautiful tidy bright bow. The games for baseball games drew the players and the fan crowds. All was well in Muddville but troubles lurked.
Baseball on the playgrounds, sandlots and the town square was competitive and a sport of beauty, fun and pride. Every side or team had its heroes and players. Legends grew. America was growing into a nation of affluence and free time. The sport fan following swelled and swelled and men of commercial and capitalist visions stepped to the plate.
A solid home run was not to be had the first time up. The pay for play venture started slowly but again gained momentum and opened the flood gates for professional baseball. Our game changed from free time enjoyment to pick a winner and join the crowd.
Baseball was moving into this pay for play commercial--a professional game with ownership dictatorially pulling the strings. Reaping the profits had its growing pangs.
One item of strong influence was the crowds that were willing and happy to pay to see and follow their beloved team and its bigger than life super star players perform and win.
The early crowds came to enjoy and relax so the Whisky and Demon Rum was part of the activity. Early on the game of baseball's reputation centered on the ribald free rocking fan brawling spectacle.
The competitive juices were flowing so deep and fast that gambling on the games outcome was part of the action. Gambling was not formalized with gaming pay windows but simply fan to fan wagers right on the spot.
The combination of free flowing strong drink of whiskey and rum and later the introduction of beer and the gambling habits of the fiercely competitive fans choosing their winner with wagering provided a not so savory reputation for our game of baseball.
The Whiskey and Gambling action was slowly beaten back by the forces of real and true baseball devotees and the smart business wisdom of baseball ownership realized the value to their larder was to clean up the game and the crowd action. The two factions of pure baseball fans for the sport and the rowdy group of carousing drinking and gambling crowd was abated with a happy medium of decorum prevailing thru the years.
Now up jumps ole steroid use for dominating players to gain a prohibitive prowess advantage. This is the scourge of our present day modern era of baseball.
Remember baseball had become our "National Pastime" when the game was in its formative and growing years but the introduction of pay for play and the controlling interest of team ownership and the issue of money changed the whole beauty of fair play.
The U.S. Congress thinking they will solve this issue of steroid and body growth enhancement drugs is like spitting in the wind. The wind will carry into someone's face but it stops nothing. This steroid use and banned substance issue is generated by the piles of money heaped upon players owned by teams. Spit into the ocean and you will not make continents to be flooded. Talking about steroids and the use of drugs will not stop the use of these substances. Stop the inordinate amount of money available and things could change.
U.S. Congress found in its infinite wisdom with the start of professional baseball to grant Major League Baseball immunity from monopolistic practices. As a matter of reality Baseball can tell our Congress to put a lid on the Teapot for the Tempest is not for Congress to solve.
Money is the controlling factor in all that Major League Baseball, will do or will not do , be it the use of drugs or complying with any factor is conceived as increasing or decreasing crowd/fan volumes and desires.
Baseball, like all walks of life, has been filled with controversy, struggles, likes and dislikes. It has many colors/faces and moments of pure joy for many youngsters.
Batter Up----Let's Play Ball.... is a signature statement of Major Wiley B. Channell USMC (ret) an Introduction to the concept of baseball farming which includes ideas on strategies, training, and winning! at: http://www.baseballfarming.com
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