[Steven R. Bullock]Playing for Their Nation Baseball and the American Military during World War II (pdf){Zzzzz}

Just two months after the magical baseball season of 1941, the United States entered World War II, and baseball, like other American institutions, was called upon to sacrifice and serve in the war effort. Utilizing personal accounts, military documents, and newspaper sources, Playing for Their Nation provides the first in-depth analysis of the development of military baseball during the Second World War.

Steven R. Bullock describes how virtually every significant American military installation around the world boasted formal baseball teams and leagues designed to soothe the anxieties of combatants and prepare them physically for battle. Officials also sponsored hundreds of exhibition contests involving military and civilian teams and tours by major league stars to entertain servicemen and elevate their spirits.

Fund-raising by the Major Leagues proved remarkably successful in the encouragement of war bond sales and in donations of equipment for military teams. By the end of the war, more than ninety percent of the players on prewar Major League rosters served in the armed forces, and Bullock relates the wartime experiences of the players, such as Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams. Also provided is the statistical analysis of the negative impact of the war on the careers of Major League players in terms of their reduced productivity and shortened careers.

Proving itself to be much more than a game, baseball offered comfort and pride to a military, and a nation, gripped by war.

Publisher: University of Nebraska Press (May 1, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0803213379
ISBN-13: 978-0803213371

Editorial Reviews
Review
"This sharp, well-researched book digs into the archives to unearth the formal and not-so-formal teams comprising major leaguers and not-so-major leaguers that worked to 'soothe the anxieties of combatants and to physically prepare them for battle.'"—Mark Luce, Chicago Tribune
(Mark Luce Chicago Tribune)

“No prior treatment of baseball during the war has demonstrated how extensively the game penetrated the camps, bases, and even the training practices of the troops.”—Choice
(Choice)

“Steven R. Bullock’s fine compact book provides a more comprehensive overview of how baseball interacted with the American military during World War II. . . .Bullock provides extensive documentation, drawing upon player interviews, military archival material, Sporting News articles, and other sources. He writes in clear, academic prose, incorporates rich anecdotes, and provides good analysis.”—David L. Porter, Journal of American History
(David L. Porter Journal of American History)

From the Inside Flap
Winner of the Jerry Malloy Book Prize

Just two months after the magical baseball season of 1941, the United States entered World War II, and baseball, like other American institutions, was called upon to sacrifice and serve in the war effort. Utilizing personal accounts, military documents, and newspaper sources, Playing for Their Nation provides the first in-depth analysis of the development of military baseball during the Second World War.

Steven R. Bullock describes how virtually every significant American military installation around the world boasted formal baseball teams and leagues designed to soothe the anxieties of combatants and prepare them physically for battle. Officials also sponsored hundreds of exhibition contests involving military and civilian teams and tours by major league stars to entertain servicemen and elevate their spirits.

Fund-raising by the Major Leagues proved remarkably successful in the encouragement of war bond sales and in donations of equipment for military teams. By the end of the war, more than ninety percent of the players on prewar Major League rosters served in the armed forces, and Bullock relates the wartime experiences of the players, such as Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams. Also provided is the statistical analysis of the negative impact of the war on the careers of Major League players in terms of their reduced productivity and shortened careers.

Proving itself to be much more than a game, baseball offered comfort and pride to a military, and a nation, gripped by war.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

This is BASEBALL writ large
By R. S. Runyon on March 8, 2006
This is a book that will lead the reader into thinking about baseball in the larger context of preparing and sustaining American soldiers during WW II. Bullock has done extensive research on Major League Baseball and how its replicated military leagues counterpart during the '40's contributed to morale building for the troops and the nation. With sparkle and wit, Bullock offers little-known background on an important historical aspect of our "national pastime." Included are incisive insights about some of the baseball greats: Joe Dimaggio, Ted Williams, Bob Feller, etc.

GREAT BOOK!
By J. King on July 25, 2004
This is a great book for both war and sports fans. It has a ton of information on baseball and how it helped many of our men in WWII. The author goes into detail on how the war changed the way baseball was played at home, and how it boosted moral in the battlefield.