The idea of the Baptists vs the Methodists softball game each year was an important part of the story. What did you think the purpose actually was? Does this parallel anything in today's world?

I found this to be quite humorous especially since one team always won. Yet in Mockingbird Summer the importance of the game shifts from the two churches to the importance of America playing. It reminded me of somewhat of the inclusion of Jackie Robinson in major league baseball. The game was important but the change of the focus was from a game to the characters playing the game.

In this story, it seemed the purpose was for personal competition between the two church ministers. For the church members, it was more for keeping their children involved in a healthy activity with girls of similar social status or religious affiliation. Obviously, one church was the dominant one when it came to sports.

When I was young, we had sports rivalries with the small towns close by - not as much between the churches, although we did have church league baseball/softball. I’m not sure how to answer the part of the question about parallels to today’s world, unless it mirrors the divisiveness between political parties. Interesting question.