Variations Around the World. The timing is off; the term "7th inning stretch" was already in use in print years before Taft's presidency, suggesting the tradition was already established long before that fateful day.
The Story Behind Taft Stadium and the 7th Inning Stretch Break
According to the tale, Taft, weighing well over 300 pounds, grew uncomfortable in his chair and stood up to stretch. To avoid a mass exodus, Taft supposedly sat back down, thereby "ordering" the stretch.
" But where did this peculiar tradition originate? The exact beginnings are murky, lost in the folklore of the late 19th century, but the practice likely emerged from a combination of player superstition, crowd fatigue, and early sports journalism. " Baseball games in the 1800s could be lengthy affairs, and sitting on hard, wooden benches for hours became increasingly uncomfortable for spectators.
The Taft Stadium Break Story Behind the 7th Inning Stretch Legend
The idea of standing and stretching during the middle of the 7th inning offered a natural break in the action. " Fans began singing along during the break, turning the stretch into a communal sing-along.
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