American military officer Abner Doubleday’s relationship with the game of baseball is legendary. According to baseball folklore, young Abner devised the game in 1839 while studying in Cooperstown, N.Y. Although some believe the popular tale, Doublbeday was never able to prove his claims for the conception of the game. A more plausible theory is that baseball is probably an American variation of cricket, rounders, or “town ball,” a popular game played in the eastern United States in the 1820’s.

Cricket, like baseball, is a summer sport played in the British Isles, India, Australia, South Africa and other countries influenced by the British. Its origins date back to 14th century England. It’s a complicated game where one player, the bowler, throws the ball without bending their elbow trying to strike a wicket to dislodge bails. The wicket consists of three wooden poles arranged in close proximity to prevent the ball from passing through them. The bails, which are wooden, lie in grooves on top of the wicket. Cricket is also similar to baseball in that it too is played on a grass field and utilizes a bat and ball. As in baseball, cricket is played in innings and the score is described in runs.

American baseball has a long history. It began as a nine-player per team game, played on a four-base, diamond shape field. In the early days, the game lasted until one team reached 21 runs; however, in 1857 the length of the game was changed to nine innings. A year later, the National Association of Baseball Players was formed creating the first organized baseball league. The American League declared itself a major league in 1901. The two competing leagues took to the ball field for the first World Series in 1903.

The word “baseball” conjures up many images. For some, thoughts of baseball’s legendary players come to mind. For others, the scent of leather gloves comes to mind. For yet others, images of yesterday’s wooden bats is first to pop into the mind. And for still others, like myself baseball is synonymous with Cracker Jack. This caramel-coated popcorn treat has, since its creation, become forever memorialized with the game of baseball as evidenced in the song Take Me Out To The Ball Game.

Whether sitting at a local T-ball game or lounging in front of a televised Phillies game, there is no better time to enjoy a handful of this legendary snack than while watching a ball game, which is why I stuff a Ziploc bag with the tasty treat fresh from my kitchen to carry along to “the old ball game”!

Caramel Popcorn

Ingredients

• 10 cups popcorn
• 1 cup shelled peanuts with red skin still intact
• 1-½ cups light brown sugar
• ½ cup butter or margarine
• ½ cup light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Directions

1. Place popcorn and peanuts on an ungreased baking sheet. Meanwhile, over medium heat, cook brown sugar, margarine, corn syrup and salt until bubbling along the edges, stirring frequently. Continue to cook and stir for an additional five minutes.
2. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda. Continue stirring until mixture takes on a foamy consistency. Pour caramel mixture over popcorn and nuts. Toss to coat popcorn and nuts with caramel mixture.
3. Bake in a 200° oven for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Store in an airtight container.