OAKLAND, CA.- The first major exhibition to examine the relationship between the national pastime and American culture, comes to the Oakland Museum of California September 17, 2005–January 22, 2006.

Organized by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, in Cooperstown, New York, Baseball As America is in the midst of a four-year, ten-city nationwide tour, marking the first time the treasures have left their legendary home. The national tour of Baseball As America is sponsored by Ernst & Young.

Baseball As America is a national celebration of America’s romance with baseball. The blockbuster exhibition explores the game’s enduring impact on American society, touching on immigration, nationalism, integration, technology, and popular culture.

“Baseball and America have grown up together. In fact, the game is such an integral part of our culture that we often take for granted its deep day-to-day significance in our lives,” noted Jane Forbes Clark, chairman of the board of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. “In bringing this exhibition to people across the country, it is our hope that we can learn more about ourselves as a people with shared values, as reflected in our national game.”