I just learned something new today. In a way the San Diego Padres organization is responsible for "God Bless America" being played prior to "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the 7th inning stretch at select games throughout the baseball season.
John Dever worked in the Padres' Media Relations department at the time of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Before games were cancelled he was called into a meeting discuss how the attacks would be acknowledged that night.
At the meeting, Dever spoke up with an idea. The traditional "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" would sound out of place during the seventh-inning stretch.