Fields of Play. Robert T. Hayashi.

Fields of Play.   Sport, Race, and Memory in the Steel City.    Robert T. Hayashi. 

As a Pittsburgh native (and current resident) it is not unusual to be drawn to books connecting literature to local sports and even some of the region’s history.    That is exactly what author Robert T. Hayashi has produced in his latest book:  Fields of Play.    Hayashi, a Pittsburgh native, takes the reader back as early as the 19^th century to explain how sports began impacting the many communities of western Pennsylvania.   The book tends to straddle between sports, race and culture over a wide swath of history. 

We like how the author, of Asian descent, infused some of his personal experiences to the chapters telling stories about how his family made their way to the region in the middle of the 20^th century.    He also told of experiences of racism he and his family endured early in his life.  It is no surprise that Asian culture and its connection to sports and race are chronicled in this book.    (turns out the author and I share a non-concurrent high school alma mater).    

This manuscript contains just five chapters.   However, they are very lengthy and detailed.  Topics range from labor, recreation, coal industry, fishing, hunting among other historical and indigenous subjects as well.  Western Pennsylvania has long had a reputation as a blue-collar, working-class town.    The natural resources of the region certainly played into this.   However, it takes laborers, cheap labor, to make it work.   The region has had its share of immigrants from all over the world but especially from eastern Europe.   Hayashi provides many tales of how the industries used the labor to their advantage especially for those working and living in company towns. 

In the spare time for folks in the later 18^th and early 19^th century is when they participated in team games such as soccer.  In fact, a large swath of chapter two is devoted to how European immigrants played and displayed their native learned talents on the field for company sponsored teams such as the Harmarville Hurricanes.   Invariably the author sheds light on the toughness of many players.   This was evident as it was reported that players would often work a full day (perhaps as many as 12 hours) on their hands and knees in the local coal mines and then go play a full-scale game of soccer against worthy competition.    This recount of personal durability and resulting pride would be emended later in the book. 

Another chapter dedicates considerable pages toward a long-ago renown settlement house that originated in the city of Pittsburgh providing opportunities for both Jewish and black community members to participate and possibly even co-mingle.    However, the book details many laws and ordinances that often prohibited or limited access to various ethnic or minority groups thus limiting their socialization and personal growth.    The same concept held true as reported by Hayashi regarding the use and membership of summer and day camps erected around western Pennsylvania as well. 

Another interesting component of the book pertains to the early days of basketball.    While the black community proudly contends that they own this sport, Hayashi skillfully illuminates how the Jewish community may have actually been the first culture to give it national attention.    Since the frequented community centers typically offered a court and ball, it was easy enough for members in the early 20^th century to learn, play and often excel.  Hayashi notes that since the settlement house was/is located in an urban area as were many other centers like this around the country in the early 19^th century, the game has always had an urban flavor.    

One of the lengthy chapters titled Poached Trout reveals the long, winding and perhaps mysterious history of fishing and hunting in the Keystone States woods and sporting areas.   The discussion is how white hunters and fisherman could grow their sport among fellow state residents.  According to Hayashi, one way was to produce and sell licenses to the willing masses.   Of course, then other issues arose such as keeping their sporting outings separate and segregated from minorities.  Another division was even considered between male and female hunters and anglers.   The author reported that in the 19^th century, the laws were made to be selective about who could own, keep and operate a gun in their homes or use for sport.   The thought being that immigrants potentially could use them against the native, sophisticated law-abiding citizens of the region.    

 Even the last page of this chapter reveals a heart-felt message from the author regarding his often-distanced relationship with his father.   Although a successful businessman in his own right, the authors father sacrificed considerably (arduous work schedule and “stresses and slights” aging him) to help build a life for his family and children in particular.   Although his father aspired to fish and play golf at the local country club he was never accepted as an equal to the native, local members.  

The book picks up speed when the author writes about the Steelers.    It includes the obligatory history of the owners and the evolution of the super Steelers in the 1970’s which were witnessed by the writer during his formative years.    However, Hayashi also makes some pretty shrewd observations of how majority of fans were willing to overlook race and ethnicity during the glory years.   He also makes astute points of how the blue-collar man could very much relate to the team as well because players like Jack Ham and Franco Harris, both of various ethnic decent, were star players in that era.               

This book is about 215 pages but is very wordy and not an easy read.    Some sections, particularly the latter parts, which are more current, are intriguing and may hold the reader’s interest.    Now this is not to say that the book is without interesting historical facts and accounts but one has to wade through much minutia to get there.    For those who like reading about history and have an interest in learning more about the early connections of labor, sport and race, this is likely a good find.  Otherwise, one might opt for other topic-related literature.   

·         You might like reading this book if you like reading about Pittsburgh Steeler football.

·         You might like to read this book if you like reading books about history connected to outdoor sports such as soccer, hunting and football.  

·         You might like to read this book if you are fan of finding historical literature about Pittsburgh.

·         You might like to read this book if you seek literature featuring race and relations especially pertaining to Pittsburgh history. 

Read more about the author online:    https://upittpress.org/authors/robert-t-hayashi/