Home runs and hope: The effect of baseball on United States morale in World War II

Gehring, Doyle Christopher

Item

Home runs and hope: The effect of baseball on United States morale in World War II

Gehring, Doyle Christopher

Date

2025-11-26

Abstract

This thesis analyzes the effects of baseball during WWII on American’s morale on the home front. It focuses on the cities of New York and Chicago, the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL), and military members stationed at stateside training bases. It argues that baseball, both as an activity and through the efforts of Major League Baseball (MLB), improved soldier and civilian morale on the home front during WWII. Although living in a time of incredible turmoil, Americans were able to turn to baseball as a way to escape the stresses of daily life, remain connected to their communities, and support the American war effort.