BASEBALL CUSTOMS
SEVENTH INNING STRETCH
A baseball tradition is started in 1910 when President William Howard Taft opens
the season by throwing out the first ball. In years to come, a veritable parade
of presidents will follow in his footsteps.. But the 330 pound Taft is credited
with popularizing another tradition the same day. By
the middle of the 7th inning, his wooden seat becomes unbearable… and the
portly President stands up to stretch. The crowd thinks he is leaving, and
respectfully rises. But
then Taft sits down again, as does the crowd. A
presidential endorsement of a tradition that lasts 'til this day—the seventh
inning stretch!