The seventh-inning stretch is one of the most popular baseball park traditions, from little league games to Major League Baseball games, they all take part in it. Growing up, I always thought the seventh-inning stretch was first started when President Taft stood up to stretch during the 7th inning of a game. Because the President stood and stretched, all those around him did the same.

After doing some research online, I found out that this story may not be true. Some people think the seventh-inning stretch dates back to the 1880s. On one particularly hot and muggy day in 1882, during the seventh inning against a semi-pro team called the Metropolitans, the coach of Mary, F.S.C. noticed his fans becoming restless. To break the tension, he called a time-out in the game and instructed everyone in the bleachers to stand up and unwind. It worked so well he began calling for a seventh-inning rest period at every game.

Another theory: A letter written by Harry Wright of the Cincinnati Red Stockings dated 1869 — 13 years earlier than Brother Jasper’s inspired time-out — documented something very similar to a seventh-inning stretch. In the letter, he makes the following observation about the fans’ ballpark behavior: “The spectators all arise between halves of the seventh inning, extend their legs and arms and sometimes walk about. In so doing they enjoy the relief afforded by relaxation from a long posture upon hard benches.”

So it’s hard to say just how/when the seventh-inning stretch was created. Baseball fans are thankful for this moment to relax and enjoy “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”