SCOTT SIMON, host:
Major League Baseball is staging its own version of "American Idol" this season. Teams are holding open competitions for the best rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game." That American classic is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and the winning performer will get to belt it out at the All-Star game at Yankee Stadium in July. Reporter Philip Graitcer checked out the action in Atlanta.
(Soundbite of roaring crowd)
PHILIP GRAITCER: Here at Turner Field on the terrace level, across from aisle 228, there's a makeshift audition booth with lights, video camera and a microphone. People are lining up to belt out their own version of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game."
(Soundbite of song, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game")
Mr. KENNY HIGHTOWER(ph) (Tallahassee, Florida): (Singing) Take me out to the ball game, oh take me out to the crowd. Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks. I don't care if I ever get back 'cuz its…
Unidentified College Students (University of Georgia): (Singing) Root, root, root for the home team. If they don't win, it's a shame for it's one, two, three strikes you're out…
Mr. CODY ROBERTS(ph) (Winfield, Alabama): (Singing) At the old ball game.
GRAITCER: That was Kenny Hightower from Tallahassee, Florida; Cody Roberts from Winfield, Alabama; and a group of college friends from the University of Georgia. There are plenty of lame acts. Some have forgotten the words.
(Soundbite of song, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game")
Unidentified Man: (Singing) Take me out to the ball game. Take me out to the - oh, I messed that one up. Take me out to the ball game…
GRAITCER: Some just walked away, unable to stand the pressure of performing and a few have had star quality.
(Soundbite of song, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game")
Unidentified Woman: (Singing) Take me out to the ball game. Take me out to the crowd. Buy my some peanuts and Cracker Jacks. I don't care if I never get back for it's root, root, root for the home team - go Braves - if they don't win it's a shame…
GRAITCER: Some sing their own renditions. Marvele Spader was inspired by rapper MC Hammer.
(Soundbite of song, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game")
Mr. MARVELE SPADER: (Singing) I say take me to ball game. I say take, take me out with the crowd. Buy me peanuts and Cracker Jacks. I don't care if we ever get back 'cuz it's root, root, root for the home team. If we don't win it's a S-I-N. I say take me out to the ball game. I say take me take me out with the crowd.
Unidentified People: (Singing) Take me out to the ball game. Take me out to the crowd. Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks…
GRAITCER: There's this group of guys in their 20s from Murphysborough, Tennessee who think they have what it takes to win. They're flexing their muscles, waving their beer bottles and getting into it.
Unidentified Man #1: I think we sound pretty good. We could go in together.
Unidentified Man #2: We's like a cross between 'N Sync, the Backstreet Boys, 98 Degrees, but all the heterosexual elements of each.
GRAITCER: The Braves, along with every other Major League team, are looking for the best singers from their home town. The winner will have the chance to lead the crowd at this summer's All-Star Game, but Jason Rice thinks the contest has a bigger meaning.
Mr. JASON RICE: To go up on top of a dugout and lead 40,000 to 45,000 people in a chant that everybody knows, everybody knows, it's a big honor.
GRAITCER: And to cover his bases, Rice sings his version in Spanish.
(Soundbite of song, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game")
Mr. JASON RICE: (Singing) (Speaking foreign language).
GRAITCER: For NPR News, I'm Philip Graitcer in Atlanta.
(Soundbite of song, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game")
Unidentified People: And it's one, two, three strikes you're out at the old ball game. Go Braves.
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