How Did Tradition of Baseball’s ‘Seventh Inning Stretch’ Begin?

The seventh-inning stretch has been a longstanding tradition in baseball - but where did the tradition begin to stand and stretch in the seventh?

However, standing up to stretch our legs, arms and backs during the middle of the seventh inning really didn't become a widespread tradition until April 14th, 1910.

Here's how:

President William Howard Taft attended the opening game between the Washington Senators and the Philadelphia Athletics. During the middle of the seventh, President Taft stood up to stretch because he was sore from sitting for so long. When he rose to his feet, the rest of the crowd felt obligated to do the same. After all, this is the friggin' president! And since then, it's been a tradition in every ballpark.

So go ahead. Stand. Stretch - and thank Taft!

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