A. Background
Baseball fans love the numbers of the game.
True enthusiasts, especially those who have
studied the history of our National Pastime,
are able to tell you the significance of
numbers, such as Joe DiMaggio’s 56 game
hitting streak in 1941, Ted Williams’ .406
batting average in 1941, Barry Bonds’ 73
home runs in 2001, and Ty Cobb’s .367
lifetime batting average. Some could even
tell you why and how numbers such as: Babe
Ruth’s 60 home runs, Ty Cobb’s 4,191
lifetime hits, and Lou Gehrig’s 2,130
consecutive games played have been surpassed
by larger numbers. Through studying
baseball statistics and daily boxscores,
students not only learn about the game, but
also about math – especially fractions and
decimals. Knowing that one hit in four at
bats represents the fraction ¼, which in
turn computes to a batting average of .250,
can provide an early introduction to whole
numbers, fractions and decimal conversion,
percentages, proportions and problem
solving.
B. Vocabulary
At bat
Average*
Batter
Batting average
Boxscore
Decimal*
Double
Doubleheader
Earned Run Average (ERA)
Fraction*
Grand slam
Hit
Home run
Inning
Lineup
Percentage*
Pinch hitter
Proportion*
Ratio*
Single
Slugging percentage
Statistics*
Total bases
Triple
*Mathematical definitions
C. Suggested Pre-Program Activities
1)
Ask
students to brainstorm everything they know
about baseball and any related math concepts
that come to mind (e.g. batting average,
on-base percentage, etc.). Discuss their
ideas; list all words and concepts on a “word
wall” so they can see their responses.
Categorize the words if necessary.
2)
Using baseball cards, put the players in order
according to their respective batting averages
beginning with the highest batting average
descending to the lowest batting average. Use
statistics from the most recent year listed on
the back of the baseball card.
3)
Pass
out note cards with simple fractions to each
student in the class. Ask the students to
convert the fraction into a batting average.
Students should put themselves in order from
the highest batting average to the lowest.
Add the fractions to compute a collective
batting average for the entire class.
4)
Collect statistics from actual softball,
baseball or physical education games in which
the students are involved; after the unit is
complete, ask students to calculate individual
and class batting averages or slugging
percentages using these statistics.
Teach the
students to score an actual baseball game and
convert the players’ performances into
individual and team batting averages.
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