Bat, Ball & Bible chronicles the collision of moral and social forces in the argument over upholding New York State's blue laws, meant to restrict social activities and maintain Sunday's traditional standing as a day of religious observation. Baseball was at the center of this conflict, which led to upheaval in society at a time when New York, especially New York City, already was undergoing rapid changes. From its inception, baseball, whether professional or amateur, was woven into the fabric of communities across the country and thus played an important social role. During the late...

Fresh and innovative, the anthology Baseball and American Society: How a Game Reflects the American Experience takes the great American pastime and uses it as a lens through which to view history and society.
The book is a critical examination of American society, primarily from the Civil War to the present. The first part of the text is devoted to historical background, with thematic chapters surveying key trends and events. The second part focuses specifically on major events and trends in the evolution of baseball.
Political themes and social issues such as racism and the...