Baseball And Saloons

For my final research paper, I will be examining Wrigley Field as a social space and how it relates to the wider American culture. My argument is that baseball stadiums (like Wrigley Field) illustrate and reinforce ideas associated with the early 20th century pub/saloon (in a positive light).

The saloon of the early 20th century represents a place of fellowship and friendship. While drinking certainly occurred, a saloon was much more than just a bar. It is a place where people who shared a common culture or identity (in many cases, racial or ethnic similarities) met and interacted. Business and union meetings deals took place in the back rooms attached to the saloons. People of all economic classes came together and bonded over their shared cultural experiences. Like the saloon of the early 20th century, the baseball stadium is also a place where people with a common identity meet. It is at the stadium in which fans can express their love for their team and bond over their shared interest. Like in saloons, people from all different economic classes come together over their shared identity. Business deals also take place at baseball stadiums.

In order to illustrate this point, I will be examining:

-the construction of the stadium

-how does the construction reflect its intended purpose

-narrow corridors that lead into a wide open stadium

-main focal point is the field (and therefore the game played on the field)

-food and drink stands

- encourage people to relax, eat, and have fun (like at the saloon)

-seats all face home plate, seats are close to one another and in long rows

-again, focal point is baseball