An energetic group of FABIans gathered at the University of Pretoria’s LC de Villiers Sports Campus on 15 April to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day. Jackie Robinson Day is a traditional event celebrated annually on 15 April in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the USA, commemorating and honouring the day Jackie Robinson made his major league debut. On that one day, all players, coaches, and managers of both teams, and the umpires at all MLB ballparks, wear Robinson's uniform number, 42. April 15 was Opening Day in 1947, Robinson's first season in the major leagues. He is best known for becoming the first black major league baseball player of the modern era when he made his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers, ending approximately 80 years of baseball segregation.

Prof. Anne Pringle and her husband David Johnson started this tradition while on a 12-month sabbatical visit to the Institute in 2023. David is an enthusiastic baseball supporter and 42, the number of Jackie Robinson’s jersey also coincidentally features on a wooden cube artwork hanging outside the FABI auditorium. This inspired them to host the inaugural Jackie Robinson Day celebration in FABI that has now become a fixed feature on the Institute’s social calendar.  They also generously sponsor the hotdogs, caramel popcorn (the closest equivalent to the traditional Crackerjack snack) and drinks which is the traditional fare at baseball games in the USA.

An informal but highly competitive game of baseball was enjoyed by all followed by the singing of the unofficial anthem of North American Baseball, ‘Take me out to the ball game’. A group photo was taken and then everyone enjoyed their hotdogs and Crackerjack.