Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Ah, spring. Flowers are in bloom. Grass is turning green. Birds are singing. Spring also means the return of America’s favorite past-time: baseball. Baseball is of course more than just a sport. The boys of summer bring with them tradition and history that strikes a chord deep within into the American psyche. Baseball is also special in another way. Within baseball we can see evidence of the superiority of cooperativism over rugged individualism.

While baseball grants numerous opportunities for individual displays of talent for a team to be successful it demands teamwork and a willingness of each team member to make personal sacrifices. The best batter on the team at times may have to sacrifice bunt if it means advancing another player. On a fly ball one outfielder often has to swallow his or her pride and allow another to make the catch. All of these plus other sacrifices will often times be necessary for the good of the team.

The Texas Rangers are the perfect example of how the lack of teamwork will work against a baseball team. How could a team that had great pitchers like the all-time no-hitter Nolan Ryan never win a single playoff series? A major reason is that while the Rangers have had great batters, great pitchers, great catchers they have always lacked teamwork.

Like a well run baseball team a cooperative strikes a balance between the needs of individual and the needs of the group. Each individual has opportunities to show his or her talents in the daily operations. Yet, for the cooperative to be successful the individual members must work together. If they begin to compete against each other in their daily operations then the cooperative will fail.

So as you sit there at the ballgame eating your hot dog and drinking your beer remember that you’re not just watching a wonderful sport. You’re watching a great example of cooperativism in action.

PS: Looking for a great baseball team? Check out the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. According their web site, "The Timber Rattlers are a non-stock, community-owned team similar in structure to the Green Bay Packers organization."