Tuesday, October 17, 2006

CFP: Twelfth Conference on Baseball in Literature and Culture

CFP: Twelfth Conference on Baseball in Literature and Culture

The Twelfth Conference on Baseball in Literature and Culture, held at Middle Tennessee State University, is soliciting 1-2 page proposals for presentations to be given at the conference on Friday, March 30, 2007. Presenters will have 20 minutes. Proposals should summarize the talk as clearly as possible. The conference theme defines "culture" loosely: in addition to baseball literature, topics could include aspects of baseball history, baseball and urban development, ballpark design, baseball and economics, baseball and media, baseball in painting or
music, readings of creative works (fiction, non-fiction essays, poems, plays), and so on. All presentations must follow the 20 minute format. Statistical analyses of teams and players are not wanted.

Proposals should make clear how baseball relates to some aspect of local, ethnic, national or international culture; we are particularly interested in accepting proposals related to 19th century baseball games and culutre and also Negro League baseball and culture. Include on the
proposal your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address. Proposals should be sent to Dr. Ron Kates, Department of English, Box 70, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN 37132, or by e-mail to rkates@mtsu.edu. Those individuals who choose to e-mail proposals should send a hard copy by post as well. The deadline for proposals is Friday,
January 26, 2007. Writers will be notified of acceptance by February 9, 2007. Presenters may have the opportunity to submit papers for possible publication in a volume of conference proceedings to be published by McFarland.

As in past years, this conference will have a keynote speaker (who generally discusses cultural elements of the game) and a luncheon speaker (a former major league player, manager, or umpire). The speakers will be added to this CFP once we have worked out contractual details.