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The Handshake Project is an attempt by Merriam School fifth and sixth graders to get the Yankees and Red Sox players to shake hands at their 2005 home opening days in New York City and Boston. Two Merriam School teachers were the spearheads for this project. Grade 6 teacher Mary Ann Brandt is a lifelong Red Sox fan, and Grade 5 teacher Ed Kaufman is a lifelong Yankee fan. Some background on our school: Merriam School is a public school with a philosophy that centers on community in the greatest sense. Our students and teachers work collaboratively on many projects, and both as a staff and student body we aim to embody the qualities of teamwork and sportsmanship. Our core values of respect, persistence in learning, and positive risk-taking permeate what we do. Last fall when the Red Sox and Yankees were in the playoffs together, emotions were very high here at Merriam School (a K-6 elementary school in Acton, Massachusetts. As Boston dropped the first three games of the series, some Red Sox fans were less than enthusiastic about the Yankees fans. Disappointment and tensions rose. Even when the Sox made their wonderful comeback, there was a definite lack of respect for the Yankees as a team and for Yankees fans in general’Äînothing way out of line, but unpleasant just the same. Feelings ran high in both cities. Brandt and Kaufman tried to show kids that you can be very much pro your team but still polite about and appreciative of the other team. They sought to show the kids that competition can be both intense and friendly and that there is such a thing as a "friendly rivalry." In the midst of last fall's playoff series, they asked their two classes to don Red Sox and Yankee caps and shake hands as a sign of civility between fans of the two teams. Being so close to Boston, there weren't too many "real" Yankee fans at Merriam, but some kids dared to wear Yankee caps to even up the numbers. They acted out this handshaking scene of civility in front of the whole school to show fans could be respectful. This became the first step in the "Merriam School Handshake Project." The two classes kids met to talk about sportsmanship on their own kids teams and whether or not they shook hands with opposing teams. To a person, they said yes. The Cardinals and Dodgers handshakes last fall at the end of their playoffs were mentioned. Some said the Red Sox and Yankee players wouldn't do it. Some said the Boston and New York fans wouldn't like it. With lots of discussions and questions, kids decided it should not really hurt anything if the players on the Yankees and Red Sox teams shook hands after games. These kids aren't extraordinarily "perfect" or "do good above all else" types of kids. They play at local sports and they play hard. They are (for the most part) avid fans of professional sports of every ilk. They appreciate a hard won game. Their background of good sportsmanship on their own teams led them to think it would be a good goal to try to get the two teams to shake hands on opening day in New York and Boston. The kids divided up into three strands: some to write letters to both teams and the Commissioner of Baseball, some to make posters about sportsmanship and baseball, and others to plan a media project to send to the teams. Finally in February the packets of posters, letters and a slideshow CD were sent off to key people on both teams and the Commissioner of Baseball. The message in their letters, posters and slideshow was consistent. If they can shake after games, if some professionals shake after games, if even some baseball teams shake after games, maybe the Yankees and Red Sox can too. As of March 25th, the response from the two teams has been one of general interest, but whether or not they will actually shake is still somewhat tentative. The Commissioner of Baseball has written saying that it is a "fascinating" idea and that he will "discuss this with all the Major League teams." Terry Francona called the school personally to let the kids know how impressed he was with their efforts. Through a Boston Globe report, George Steinbrenner has said he supports the idea. The Merriam School Handshake Project has taken off through the press, and the kids are thrilled that what seemed like a simple idea is gaining so much attention and support. Hold on to your baseball caps; this idea has wings. Return to the Handshake Project page. |