[Oakland Oaks Baseball Season Opens] (silent, 1918)

This unique footage from April 2, 1918, captures the lively opening day of the baseball season in Oakland, California, with the Oakland Oaks facing San Francisco. The event kicks off with a parade of old-fashioned vehicles led by a flag-bearing car and a truck announcing “Baseball Opening,” as onlookers line the streets. Among the procession is famed vaudeville dancer Doraldina, dressed as the Oaks’ female pitcher, adding a theatrical flair to the occasion. The Oaks players, some bearing Red Cross symbols on their uniforms in wartime solidarity, line up for the ceremony, with Doraldina and veteran catcher “Pop” Anson prominently featured on an opening day sign. The excitement continues as Doraldina warms up her arm, preparing for the honorary first pitch. The scene culminates with players standing reverently as the American flag is raised, set against a backdrop of political ads in the stadium. This historic footage blends baseball, patriotism, and entertainment, highlighting the charm and community spirit of early 20th-century America.

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