[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 6, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S920]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 224--TO DESIGNATE SEPTEMBER 23, 1996, AS ``NATIONAL 
                        BASEBALL HERITAGE DAY''

  Mr. D'AMATO (for himself and Mr. Moynihan) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 224

       Whereas it is universally accepted that the idea of 
     baseball was created by Abner Doubleday in 1839 in 
     Cooperstown, NY when Doubleday attempted to chase cows out of 
     Elihu Phinney's cow pasture;
       Whereas, New Yorkers in Manhattan in 1842 witnessed the 
     birth of modern day baseball when `a number of gentlemen . . 
     . casually assembled on a plot of ground in Twenty-seventh 
     street . . . to play ball'' according to Charles A. Peverelly 
     in ``The Book of American Pastimes;''
       Whereas, these men, led by Alexander Joy Cartwright, Jr. 
     created the set of rules to transform a childhood game into 
     the game of baseball and to provide a model for future early 
     clubs;
       Whereas, these men played the game because of sheer 
     enjoyment and casually called themselves the ``New York 
     Baseball Club'';
       Whereas, Harold Peterson, in ``The Man Who Invented 
     Baseball,'' notes that on the historic day of September 23, 
     1845, these men, now numbering more than forty, formally 
     organized themselves into the first ever organized baseball 
     club known as the ``Knickerbocker Baseball Club'';
       Whereas, the Knickerbockers dedicated their efforts to the 
     creation of regular games on the Twenty-seventh street field 
     so they could play their new game.
       Whereas, others noticed the games of the Knickerbockers and 
     created teams of their own for inter-club play with Alexander 
     Joy Cartwright, Jr. and the Knickerbockers, according to 
     Cartwright's ``Rules of Play'';
       Whereas, baseball has grown into America's national pastime 
     and ingratiated itself into the collective heart of America;
       Whereas, America has cherished baseball and fallen in love 
     with baseball heroes like Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson, 
     Willie Mays, and Babe Ruth;
       Whereas, baseball has given Americans common and shared 
     experience, as well as provide a bond between generations;
       Whereas, parents and children enjoy baseball together 
     throughout the countless generations.
       Whereas, baseball has become as much a part of the United 
     States as the hot dogs sold at the games;
       Whereas, baseball has become a part of our national 
     character,
       Whereas, the designation of ``National Baseball Heritage 
     Day'' will provide Americans with chance to celebrate the 
     history of the game and reflect on how much it has affected 
     our collective lives and national identity: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the Senate, in recognition of the essential 
     role that baseball has played in the history of the United 
     States and our individual lives, designate September 23, 1996 
     as ``National Baseball Heritage Day''. The President is 
     authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon 
     the people of the United States to observe such a day with 
     appropriate ceremonies and activities.

 Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, when asked to describe an image of 
baseball, the near unanimous and immediate picture painted would be of 
a warm summer night sitting in the bleachers with your kids, enjoying a 
hot dog or some peanuts, and rooting for the home team. Similarly when 
asked about the origins of baseball, fans from the youngest to the 
oldest will tell you that baseball originates in New York. It is that 
heritage that I wish to memorialize in legislation that I am submitting 
today. I am proud to submit the resolution with my friend and 
colleague, New York's senior Senator, Daniel Patrick Moynihan.
  On a lazy afternoon in 1839, a young man from Cooperstown, Abner 
Doubleday, chased the cows out of Elihu Phinney's pasture and was 
struck with the inspiration to invent a game that we now know as 
baseball. In true recognition of Cooperstown's place in history, the 
National Baseball Hall of Fame is located there.
  Today, Cooperstown is the mecca for all baseball fans where, in the 
Hall of Fame, they can see the unfolding of baseball from its early 
beginnings to its great modern era. Within the National Baseball Hall 
of Fame outstanding players such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gherig, Cy Young, Ty 
Cobb, Joe DiMaggio, and Jackie Robinson are immortalized. In addition 
to plaques celebrating the achievements of baseball's greats, 
Cooperstown has the largest collection of game-winning baseballs, 
record-breaking bats, and paraphernalia chronicling achievements and 
activities of all kinds in relation to the game of baseball and 
baseball's impact on American society.
  Shortly after Doubleday's inspiration, a group of gentlemen, led by 
Alexander Joy Cartwright, Jr., was meeting in fields all over Manhattan 
in New York City, playing baseball according to rules laid out by 
Cartwright. These men began playing baseball as early as 1842 in a 
small plot of ground on Twenty-seventh Street--a spot now occupied by 
the Harlem Railroad depot. Cartwright and his friends were forced to 
play at three different locations on Manhattan in order to escape the 
encroachment of a growing New York City. On September 23, 1845, they 
finally formally organized themselves into a baseball club known as the 
Knickerbockers Base Ball Club.
  Efforts have been attempted in the past to lay claim to 
Cooperstown's, and indeed New York's place in baseball history. Such 
efforts continue to this day. But as every little-leaguer knows, New 
York will always be the true home of baseball. Also, as any baseball 
history buff knows, New York City is home to our nation's earliest 
organized baseball team. Baseball fans everywhere will not be fooled by 
those who would claim otherwise.
  Therefore, to make sure that all Americans know the rightful role New 
York holds in the birth of baseball, we are introducing a resolution 
calling for congressional recognition of this distinction. It is my 
hope that with the Senate's passage of this resolution, we may once and 
for all dispel all contrary claims to baseball's heritage. We encourage 
all true fans of baseball in the Senate to join in cosponsoring this 
resolution.

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