Spokane Indians vs. Vancouver Canadians at Avista Statium, Aug. 29, 2015. (Spokane won.) Note that the sky isn’t overcast–that’s smoke from the forest fires plaguing the northwestern U.S. this summer.

Spending a lovely evening with friends at a Spokane Indians baseball game brought to mind that old chestnut, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”

Traditionally sung during the “seventh inning stretch,” the song was written in 1908 by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Titzer. Interestingly, neither songwriter had actually been to a ballgame, so it was amazing that they were able to capture the spirit of the ballpark so accurately. The song debuted in a vaudeville act. Its first known use during a ballgame didn’t happen until 1934. It’s written in waltz tempo–imagine the fun of waltzing to it!

Here’s an early recording. Interesting that there’s a whole lot more to the song than just the familiar chorus!

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