Baseball: The American National Sport

Introduction

Baseball, widely regarded as the American national sport, was among the earliest games to be played professionally in the United States. It is also popular among amateurs of all ages who participate in little leagues, semi-pro, middle and high schools, and colleges in the United States. The game has also gained popularity in Canada, Mexico, Japan, and other countries in the Western Hemisphere.

Guiding Question

Can you answer questions pertaining to the history and rules of this great sport? This is your challenge!

Questions

1. Who was Abner Doubleday?
2. Where is the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum located?
3. Who was Jackie Robinson and why was he such a significant figure to major league baseball?
4. What are names of all the current major league baseball teams and where are they located?
5. What is a force play?
6. What is a sacrifice bunt?
7. Define the term "infield fly rule."
8. Define the term "tag up."
9. Give three examples how a batter is put out.
10. A baseball game is divided into nine _____________ of play.
11. What do you score when you cross home plate?
12. How many feet are the bases from each other?
13. How would you calculate your batting average? Give an example.
14. How would you calculate your pitching earned run average? Give an example.
15. What is the name of the official(s) who are in charge of a baseball game?

Internet Resources

• Jackie Robinson And Other Baseball Highlights 1860s-1960s
• Baseball History on the Web: Images and Links
• Baseball: The Game and Beyond
• Black Baseball's Negro Baseball Leagues
• Baseball: Glossary
• Abner Doubleday
• Major League Baseball
• Baseball -- A Netsports Site
• Batting Average
• Pitching Statistics

Activities

1.) Write a paper about Jackie Robinson or any other baseball player you are interested in.
2.) Read a book about baseball and write a summary of the book.
3.) Go to the Internet and find three stories pertaining to baseball. Summarize the stories.
4.) Imagine yourself as a newspaper writer sent to interview Jackie Robinson. Write a newspaper article describing te event.
5.) Make a map and locate all of the major league baseball teams. On a separate sheet of paper, list the team and the city/state they are located.

Joe Gualco, Teacher, and Austin Lau, AP student, collaborated to develop this web hunt.

HOME