Final answer:
The behavior of refraining from eating pancakes during a baseball season is an example of a food taboo, studied by anthropologists to understand cultural values and group identity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The behavior described, in which Gmelch refrained from eating pancakes during a baseball season, can be classified as a food prohibition or food taboo.
Anthropologists study these food proscriptions as part of understanding cultural values and group identity. These rules about what not to eat often have religious or spiritual origins and are common across various cultures.
Learn more about Food Taboos