Play Ball: The Anthropology of Baseball: Stanton Green at TEDxNavesink

Anthropologist, Dr. Stan Green poses the questions about the role of baseball in America's history: What does it mean that Baseball is America's pastime? Why did Walt Whitman, America's poet, in fact, call it "America's game?" The answers to these questions lie in the deep cultural and historical roots baseball shares with the evolution of American society since Europeans settled in North America in the 17th century. The game was played by African American slaves, by Plymouth Colony settlers, Civil war soldiers, 20th century European immigrants and many US Presidents. It's origin myth has been used to define American identity, while its practice helped reinforce American racial segregation only to subsequently break the color barrier. It has been played by women and by men and boys and girls, and is expressed throughout the American Art scene especially music and film. And all of this derives from a children's stick and ball game.

Catch more great content at
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)