[...]... hostilities, and hence used World War II as a backdrop for their accounts.5 All of these studies, however, fail to adequately address the ways in which the game manifested itself within the military and the inseparable link between the national pastime and the war effort on a variety of levels throughout World War II Therefore, the principal goal of this work is to provide a more comprehensive view of baseball. .. surprise, then, that when America responded to the aggression of totalitarian governments baseball went along for the long and arduous ride introduction xiii Playing for Their Nation Chapter 1 Vitalizing Spirit Baseball in Morale Building and Military Training America’s involvement in World War II and the mobilization that it necessitated provided the impetus for an unprecedented explosion in military baseball. .. previous armies and past wars” that revealed the “deep-rooted importance of morale” in the success of an extended military campaign.3 Military commanders therefore deemed it essential to increase the level of morale both on and off the battlefield to ensure the optimal performance of the American fighting machine Arguably the greatest military combat commander of World War II, Gen George S Patton, for example,... dominate the game before baseball lost its status as the true national pastime It was within this context that the rapid mobilization necessitated by the war increased the number of soldiers and sailors employed by the American military and brought droves of baseball- crazed men into the armed forces American leaders quickly recognized the importance of baseball to the majority of fighting men and attempted... finally did join the fray, Americans fought for various principles and institutions, one of which, for many, included the national pastime.1 From the turn of the twentieth century to the beginning of World War II, the American people enjoyed an unusual and unprecedented fascination with the game of baseball To some, baseball was “America’s anchor”; it personified the nation s values and helped to unify an... experiences and preferences, to most soldiers and sailors baseball maintained a prominent place in their lives both before and during the war During the 1944 invasion of Tulagi in the Solomon Islands, for example, Marine sergeant Dana Babcock witnessed a fascinating scene when he and a few of his fellow, battleweary Marines found themselves surrounded by the enemy on three sides and the Pacific on the other... competition in exhibition games and all-star contests staged throughout the war As we will see, these military teams were responsible for, among other things, entertaining servicemen, fostering loyalty and pride, and ensuring bragging rights for officers The final three chapters investigate the most visible connection between baseball and the American military during the war the hundreds of Major League... related to their absence from the professional game Chapter 6 outlines, through both anecdotal and statistical evidence, the negative impact military service had on both position players and pitchers The varied connection that existed between baseball and the military during World War II was deep and extensive, reflecting the important position that the game maintained within the fabric of American culture... branch of the American military both to ensure victory and to illustrate the devotion of the national pastime to servicemen around the world The next two chapters of this study revolve specifically around the manifestations of baseball within the armed forces Chapter 3, for example, details the individual catalysts who promoted, organized, and supervised military baseball programs around the world, often... that there was “no question” that baseball was extremely important to most servicemen and was a part of the American way of life for which soldiers and sailors were fighting.11 The most beneficial and direct way in which baseball bolstered soldiers’ and sailors’ morale was through the participatory baseball programs that flourished on bases and camps around the globe during World War II One of the outstanding . Director, The Sporting News Bill Kirwin, Editor, nine 00-N2866-FM 1/7/04 2:47 PM Page ii G&S Typesetters PDF proof Playing for Their Nation Baseball and the American Military during World War II STEVEN. address the ways in which the game manifested itself within the military and the inseparable link between the national pastime and the war effort on a variety of levels throughout World War II. Therefore,. Data Bullock, Steven R. Playing for their nation : baseball and the American military during World War II / Steven R. Bullock. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. isbn 0-8032-1337-9