Baseball Magic Essay

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Chris Mendoza Fall 2011 ANTH 3101C Writing Assignment 4 In the article, “Baseball Magic,” George Gmelch examines the use of magic by American baseball players as a way of managing the uncertainty in the game. Baseball is not the only place where magic is practiced. Magic can been practiced and seen all over and in every day life, from one’s daily morning routine, to how many times one listens to the same song before a game or test. Many people practice the use of magic because of the uncertainties of every day in life. Each and every morning when people rise out of bed, the day begins in a fashion of rituals and routine. Most people have the same routine each morning, once they take their first step to starting off their day. Each individual has their own routine, but the similarities to these routines are that each person practices them on a daily basis. Routines and rituals are most commonly attempted to “reduce chance and feelings of uncertainty” (Gmelch, Pg. 268, Par. 2). People who have certain routines and rituals in the morning start once they arise out of bed. The morning starts off and the day begins; how the day begins is usually the same based on routine and ritual. The practice of routines and rituals help people eliminate the uncertainty that the day might bring. Routines and rituals can be simple or can be complex; but either way they are practiced every day. One routine might consist of one waking up and getting out of bed, Next he or she might first go to enjoy a warm cup of coffee to help speed up the process of waking up. Then a warm shower and the brushing of one’s teeth will occur. After that, the individual will get dressed (most likely in the same order as they do everyday; starting with the underwear and socks, then working to their uniform for the day).

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