7th Inning Stretch

“And now it’s time for your 7th Inning Stretch!” When I hear these words at Globe Life Field, I know we will sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” and will stay standing for “Cotton-Eyed Joe,” and prodding from my wife (good dancer) for me (not a dancer) to “show ‘em what I can do!”

Today, the Seventh Inning Stretch remains, or has become, a tradition that seems just as important and necessary as the “first pitch” and “The National Anthem” and “popcorn, peanuts, hot dogs, and beer.” (and nachos here in Texas)

But, just how did the STRETCH originate? Let’s take a look at a few possibilities!

**My Favorite** 27th President of the United States was William Howard Taft (credited with being the first U. S. President to “throw out the 1st pitch”), who weighed in at 300 or more pounds and “loved” going out to the ballgame! The story: Opening Day game, Washington Senators vs. Philadelphia Athletics, Griffith Stadium, on 4/14/1910—The 6’ 2” President grew increasingly tired of sitting in the small, wooden seat that might have been straining under his weight. The game dragged along, maybe a little less exciting than he would have hoped, so the President stood up to “stretch” his aching legs and “couped up body” and to walk around a little bit during the middle of the 7th inning. Nice to note, in those days several leaders of the “free world,” including the President of United States of America, commanded much respect and reverence; so, when fellow spectators noticed President Taft rising, they followed his “lead” as a matter of respect. A few minutes later, the President returned to his seat, and the game resumed. And the rest, as the “saying goes,” is HISTORY!

*Manuscript, dated 1869* Harry Wright of the Cincinnati Red Stockings described a break in one of their baseball games, which has a familiar ring. “The Spectators all arise between halves of the seventh inning, extend their legs and arms and sometimes walk about. In so doing, they enjoy the relief afforded by relaxation from a long posture upon hard benches.” (Supposedly, this is the earliest-known documented reference to a 7th inning break.)

*Brother Jasper of Mary, a baseball coach and “prefect” of discipline at New York City’s Manhattan College* This coach invented the ritual (supposedly) when he asked for a timeout in the middle of the 7th inning on a hot day in 1882, as he noticed that “fans were getting ‘antsy’, so he told them to get up and stretch.” He was so satisfied with the results that he repeated this request at following games—and the ritual reportedly moved to the “major leagues,” when Manhattan College played exhibition games against the New York Giants in the late 1880s.

*Sports Illustrated* reported that “at a game the Red Stockings played on the West Coast” (also in 1869), “there was a 10-minute intermission after the 6th inning, in an effort to get spectators to visit the concessions stand.”*

*October 18, 1889* Game One of the 1889 World Series—supposedly saw a 7th Inning Stretch after someone yelled out, “Stretch for Luck!”

Themer: All I know is that when Dad would take me out to old Burnett Field in Oak Cliff to watch the Dallas-Fort Worth Rangers play, we would stand up and stretch and maybe then go to the restroom so as not to miss any action while the game was paused. It was also the final time we might be getting CONCESSIONS— peanuts in the shell and a soda (root beer if available) for Dad and either popcorn (or a hot dog) and soda (Dr. Pepper) for me!

Aside note—a side note—1976: Announcer for the Chicago White Sox (Comiskey Park), Harry Caray, popularized the singing of “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” (Tin Pan Alley tune) and continued that tradition in 1982 with the Chicago Cubs (Wrigley Field), and it is to this day a tradition at many major league ball parks across the nation.

And after the September 11th attack upon America, “God Bless America” has also become a “mainstay” at many parks around the country.

And now, I am going to stand up and stretch and have some pop-corn and soda; I have been sitting at this computer and waiting for President Taft too long!