Baseball and Social Class

<p> This collection of fresh essays examines the intersection of baseball and social class pointing to the conclusion that America's game infused from its origins with a democratic mythos and founded on high-minded principles of meritocracy is nonetheless fraught with problematic class contradictions. Each essayist has explored how class standing has influenced some aspect of the game as experienced by those who play it those who watch it those who write about it and those who market it. The topic of class is an amorphous one and in tying it to baseball the contributors have considered matters of race education locality integration assimilation and cultural standing. These elements are crucial to understanding how baseball creates preserves reinforces and occasionally assails class divisions among those who watch play and own the game.</p>