LRC FINAL BLOG 3 OF 3

My last blog discussed basketball, and the one before discussed football, but now I would like to talk about America's pasttime, and a fun game called baseball. This has always been an American sport, but now that it is internationally played, things like the Little League world series, and even the MLB World Series has many international influences on the games, both as players and teams for the little leaguers. Baseball is a fun sport, that should be played outside. The important equipment for baseball includes: a glove, baseballs, a bat, helmet, bases, a protective cup, and 9 players to play on defense, while 1 player bats.

(At this point I would have the kids line up at the positions and I would name them off. This might need to be done on multiple days, until the kids have it memorized about the positions. Pitcher throws the ball to the Catcher. The fielding positions include First base, Second Base, Short Stop, Third Base, Left and Right Outfield, and Center Outfield (referred to as Centerfield).

Now to explain the hitting system of baseball. You have to know about strikes and balls. If you are batting and the pitcher throws the ball (and you swing and miss) that is a strike. If you do not swing/or miss the ball while the ball is pitched inside the strike zone, then you are charged a strike. If a batter does not swing at a pitch that is outside the strike zone, then it is considered a ball. If you get 3 strikes you are out, each pitcher needs 3 outs to allow his team to bat again. If you get 4 balls, then you take a free walk to first base, and begin base running.

Here is where I would let the kids play catch in lines, then go on further from this point tomorrow, by going over the positions on the infield again, but this time I would hit ground and fly balls to the children in the field, and have them throw it to first base as if in a real game.

I feel that Football, Basketball and Baseball were all good choices for the 3 sports I discussed in this FINAL blog because they all have a team aspect to them that allows more than one person to play and succeed, and also they help keep the youth active and healthy. It is vital that they play the sports correctly, and understand everything about the sport. The most important thing is to teach the children, and let them have fun!