What’s Baseball Sociology?

Statue of Jackie Robinson outside of Dodger Stadium

What’s Baseball Sociology, you ask?  Well, as you may already know, baseball in considered the American National pastime. Sociology is the study of society.  By studying social groups, structures, and institutions, we can have a better understanding of society, how we all fit together in a society, and how society and the groups we belong to influence us and make us who we are.  Thus, baseball sociology is a way of viewing how the game functions in the society in which it is played, and how society impacts the game.  In other words, we can understand baseball by understanding the society in which it is played – and vice versa. We can also understand society through baseball.  As such, perhaps being baseball fans defines who we are?

When I was in school, I thought if I studied baseball and sport sociology, I’d be able to hang out at the ballpark, watch the crowd, and pursue my life-long dream of seeing every ballpark in the country – or rather, the world!  On the way, I realized that each ballpark has its own personality, reflective of the community it represents.  Now that’s Baseball Sociology!

Please join me in my journey through baseball, as I attempt to understand our world, our place within in, and the importance of baseball to society!

~ baseballrebecca

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