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CAU > Seminars and Study Tours > Take Me Out to the Ballgame: The Culture and Business of Major League Baseball

Take Me Out to the Ballgame: The Culture and Business of Major League Baseball

March 18-23, 2007

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Overview

Steeped in lore and lucre, major league baseball is simultaneously an icon of American culture and a creation of American business. Franchises and television-broadcast rights bring in hundreds of millions of dollars, top players reap small fortunes, and cities hoping for major-league franchises subsidize state-of-the-art ballparks replete with corporate sky-boxes and valet parking. Yet, for all its entrepreneurial trappings, baseball is still the cherished American pastime. First base is still ninety feet from home plate, managers still fret about bullpens, players still walk the narrow line between the majors and the minors, fans still boo the umps, and spring training is still the season when expectations, hot dogs, and pennant hopes are fresh and tempting.

Faculty

Next spring CAU will head off to spring training with Glenn Altschuler, the Thomas and Dorothy Litwin Professor of American Studies and dean of the School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions. Forced to forego his original wish to be Duke Snider, Glenn has nonetheless been a slugger at CAU for decades, and this new expedition will be his chance to take you to the parks and behind the scenes during spring training in Florida's flourishing Grapefruit League, where seventeen major league teams (including the Dodgers, Mets, Orioles, Marlins, and Nationals) prepare for the season in March.

Itinerary

Each day we'll enjoy lectures about baseball history and culture with Glenn and meetings with personnel from several teams, including the Cardinals' and Mets' all-star first baseman and current Mets announcer Keith Hernandez, who, along with his wife (and Cornellian) Kai will join us and arrange special sessions with members of the Mets organization. Heading out to the ballparks, we'll have terrific seats for three games (which we'll choose once the 2007 spring schedule is announced). Our home base will be the very pleasant Jupiter Beach Resort, with its comfortable rooms, excellent restaurants, and perfect location on the beach.

Program Cost and Travel Arrangements

The program fee of $2,260 (per-person, double-occupancy) includes all accommodations at the Jupiter Beach Resort, most meals, all tickets and site visits, all ground transportation, taxes, gratuities, escort services, and the full educational program. The supplement for single occupancy is $760. Participants will be responsible for their own travel to and from Jupiter, Florida. Stone Travel of Ithaca will be happy to help you with air arrangements and with any arrangements you'd like to make in the area before or after the program.

Physical Requirements

This is not a physically strenuous program, although some walking and climbing will be required. Temperatures should be delightful, although there's always the possibility of a shower. Do join us (and don't forget to bring your glove).