SOUTH BEND — Many trips to the ballpark feature the tune of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” a song rich with both Jewish and Hoosier history, as documented by The Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley’s April 24 newsletter.
With such history in mind, the Indiana Jewish Historical Society and the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation (JASHP) initiated the creation of a historical marker for “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” in coordination with May’s Jewish American Heritage Month.
Indianapolis native Albert Von Tilzer originally composed the music for the tune for its first documented performance in 1934.
“The initial proposal of a historical marker Von Tilzer’s hometown was declined, and subsequent outreach to numerous other ballparks was met with either no response or outright rejection,” according to the newsletter.
Nonetheless, the Jewish historical societies pitched the idea to other baseball fields, in the hopes that one may share their enthusiasm.
“The South Bend Cubs embraced the educational historical marker’s message of inclusivity, its connection to local Jewish history, and the legacy of Harry Caray, whose iconic rendition of ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game’ at Chicago Cubs games remains legendary,” according to the newsletter.
The dedication of the “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” Historical Marker will take place at 4:30 p.m. May 15, adjacent to the courtyard of the Historic Sons of Israel Ball Park Synagogue inside Four Winds Field.
The event will begin with a keynote address by Rabbi Michael Friedland, and refreshments will be provided courtesy of South Bend Challah Company, according to an event flyer. The ceremony is expected to last until 5:30 p.m.
More information for those interested can be found online.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game’ historical marker coming to South Bend
Reporting by Katherine Hill, South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
