Tickets now are on sale for baseball and hot dogs at the Museum of Science in Boston.
The Museum of Science?
Indeed.
The popular Boston museum probably isn't the first place that comes to mind when you think of experiencing the best of what America offers in baseball. Through Sept. 1, though, it should be high on your list as the museum hosts the traveling exhibit "Baseball As America," in conjunction with the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y.
"Baseball As America" is the first major exhibition to highlight the relationship between baseball and Americans. The premise is simple: Baseball weaves together the many threads of U.S. culture; with each new season, hopes and dreams are renewed as fans root for their favorite teams.
With more than 500 artifacts on display, including Curt Schilling's bloody sock from the 2004 American League Championship Series and the controversial baseball from the last out of the 2004 World Series (remember Doug Mientkiewicz?), the exhibit is organized into thematic sections. Each section allows visitors to experience and better understand the role of baseball in American culture and history.
For visitors who work up an appetite, 10 kinds of hot dogs are being served up in the café.
"The museum is excited to showcase the role science plays in the game, and how technology has changed it through the decades — from improvements in equipment and field surfaces, to advances in sports medicine and the treatment of injuries," said Ioannis (Yannis) Miaoulis, president and director of the Museum of Science.
"Like any good teacher, we value the opportunity to present science and technology through topics visitors are truly passionate about," Miaoulis, a Red Sox fan, added. "Since we live in the greatest baseball city in the world, there is no better place to showcase this special exhibit."
The broad range of themes explored includes topics such as immigration, nationalism, integration, technology and popular culture. As a whole, the exhibit reveals how the game has helped shape American society.
The Museum of Science's special touch for this exhibit is "Home Plate Baseball Lab," which was created and built in Boston. The lab gives visitors a number of interactive experiences, for instance, the adrenaline rush of a baseball being hurled toward them at 95 mph. At the same time, they get a physics lesson as to what is occurring.
The lab also offers interactive lessons on seeking the sweet spot of a bat, and how to wind-up a pitch like a big leaguer while investigating velocity, acceleration, and spinning forces like a physicist.
Among the special elements of the lab are a pitching machine that mimics what batters face, lessons on pitching grips for the knuckleball and curveball, a pitching cage where visitors can wind-up and throw a pitch, and a look at injuries and what causes them. The lab also compares newer field turfs to natural ones like Fenway Park's.
In other words, this is a baseball fan's dream vacation pit stop.
The museum is accepting videos and photos throughout the run of the exhibition. Stories to go along with them can range from experiences as a fan, to great moments playing baseball or softball.
While she expects a large number of stories revolving around the Red Sox, Bottis pointed out that there are no restrictions.
"As long as it's a great story, we don't care what team it's about, even the Yankees," she said. "But we have been finding that some of the best stories are about regular people simply sharing their experiences playing and watching the game they love."
Baseball As America exhibit
What: "Baseball As America" exhibit.
Where: The Museum of Science in Boston.
When: Through Sept. 1.
Special element: The Home Plate Baseball Lab, which allows a vast array of interactive activities.
Food: Hot dogs from 10 different venues across the country will be served in the museum café.
Cost: $17 adults; $15, seniors; $14 for children 3 to 11.
Information: Call 617-723-2500.
Artifacts abound
Here are some of the artifacts you can see at the "Baseball As America" exhibit at the Museum of Science through Sept. 1:
National
r The Doubleday Ball, the game's most "sacred" relic and the first artifact displayed in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y.
r Trophy given to Lou Gehrig at his Yankee Stadium farewell.
r Jack Norworth's original 1908 manuscript of the lyrics for "Take Me Out To the Ball Game."
r Single-season record-breaking home run bats used by Babe Ruth, Roger Maris, Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire.
r The world's most valuable baseball card: a Honus Wagner T206 of 1909.
r Brooklyn Dodgers jersey worn by Jackie Robinson
r Ticket dated July 4, 1939 to Lou Gehrig Day.
r Mrs. Lou Gehrig's charm bracelet.
r A pair of spikes from the immortal Ty Cobb.
r Normal Rockwell's painting "Game Called Because of Rain (Tough Call)" 1949.
r Barnum & Bailey Elephant Baseball Team poster.
r Yogi Berra's glove and the ball he caught as the last pitch of Don Larsen's victory. This was the only perfect game in World Series history.
r Eyeglasses worn by legendary broadcaster Harry Caray.
r Rare photographs and possessions from baseball greats Jackie Robinson, Joe DiMaggio and other heroes.
r "Wonderboy," the bat used by Robert Redford in the 1984 baseball film "The Natural."
Boston-related
r Trophy Ball, Tri-Mountain BBC vs. Eckfords, 1868 (first Boston baseball club).
r Bat awarded to Sam Jackson, 1871 Boston Red Stockings.
r Watch fob, awarded to Fred Parent by the Boston Globe for winning 1903 World Series.
r World Series scorecard, Oct. 13, 1903.
r Red Sox jersey worn by Cy Young, 1908.
r 1912 World Series ticket, Fenway Park.
r 1912 World Series Program.
r Glove worn by Bobby Doerr when he earned the 1948 fielding record.
r Bat used by Ted Williams for 521st career and final home run, 1960.
r Silver Bat awarded to Carl Yastrzemski as the 1967 batting champion (Triple Crown).
r Patch commemorating Carlton Fisk's home run, 1975 World Series.
r Ball marking Jim Rice's 400th total base during 1978 season.
r Wade Boggs batting gloves, seventh straight season 200 hits, 1989.
r Shoes worn by former Red Sox great Mo Vaughn during his 1995 AL MVP season.
r Curt Schilling's bloody sock, Game Two 2004 World Series.
r Red Sox Jersey worn by David Ortiz during 2004 World Series.
r Baseball from final out of 2004 World Series, Boston vs. St. Louis.
r Cap worn by Clay Buchholz during his no-hitter, Sept. 1, 2007.
r A piece of the Green Monster left-field wall from Boston's historic Fenway Park
