Final answer:
Gmelch's term 'fetishes' in the context of baseball magic refers to objects that players believe have special powers to influence their performance or luck, such as a lucky glove or hat.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gmelch's research on baseball details how players often engage in behaviors and beliefs that are not necessarily rational or scientifically backed—these are referred to as 'baseball magic.' Within this context, fetishes describe objects that players attribute special powers to, believing they have an impact on their performance or luck. Examples of these fetishes could be a lucky glove, hat, or even a specific ritual that they perform before or during a game. These objects and rituals are thought to provide psychological comfort and confidence, even though there's no empirical evidence to support their effectiveness. Nonetheless, these behaviors highlight the human tendency to search for control in unpredictable situations, which is a common theme in anthropological studies of magic and superstition in various cultures.