Baseball may be as American as apple pie, but the national pastime has also been a source of inspiration and recovery during times of national tragedy, including after September 11, 2001.

Flight 93 National Memorial in Pennsylvania has partnered with Washington & Jefferson College to develop the exhibit Down But Not Out: Baseball After September 11, 2001. The display examines the longstanding relationship between baseball and the nation during times of crisis, with a focus on baseball’s role in recovery following the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

“This exhibit illustrates that our national pastime is more than a game,” said junior Kathryn Prinkey, who is part of the Washington & Jefferson College class that researched, designed, and installed the exhibit. “By highlighting the relationship between baseball, the military, and patriotism over the past 100 years, it reveals how the sport has provided Americans with a platform and outlet to respond to wartime and moments of distress.”

The exhibit opens May 5 at the Flight 93 National Memorial Learning Center. It will be open Saturdays and Sundays, plus the Fourth of July, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. through July 8. Due to other activities at the memorial, Down But Not Out will not be available May 19-20 and June 16-17.

“The National Park Service is honored to partner with the students at Washington & Jefferson College for this special and unique project,” said Stephen Clark, superintendent of the five National Park Service units of Western Pennsylvania. “We are grateful to the numerous institutions who assisted the students. I am so very proud of each and every one of the students who went above and beyond to create this amazing exhibition.”

Down But Not Out was curated by Washington & Jefferson’s History 410: Museum Exhibit Design class, an undergraduate course in museum studies. The exhibit includes items that tell the story of baseball’s role in helping Americans respond to national tragedy and war from World War I to the present.

“This is a politically fraught topic, and we want to be able to spur real, purposeful debate, even within the narrow scope of our particular exhibit,” said junior Harley Moyer, another student in the history class.

Down But Not Out was made possible through collaboration with the National Park Service and the cooperation of Major League Baseball, the Pittsburgh Pirates, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, Pentagon Memorial, George W. Bush Presidential Center, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, and Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory.