Lesson 2 - Pre-Visit A World of Baseball Talent Objective: Students will be able to: Identify that players from a variety of cultures come to the United States to play professional baseball. Recognize the value of intercultural exchange on the baseball diamond. Research and quantify the home countries of players on various MLB teams. Create and use different types of graphs to compare data. Time Required: 1 class period Materials Needed: - Internet access for student research - Graph paper and colored pencils or markers OR - Computers with graphing software - Copies of the "World of Baseball Talent" graphic organizer for each pair (included) - A large world map Vocabulary: Diversity - The condition of having or being composed of differing elements, especially the inclusion of different types of people in a group or organization 11
Applicable Common Core State Standards: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.1, SL.11-12.1 Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade-appropriate topics, texts, and issues, building on others ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.4, W.11-12.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.7, W.11-12.7 Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W9-10.9, W.11-12.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. Additional Relevant National Learning Standards: (Based on Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning) Geography. Standard 1. Level IV [Grade: 9-12]. Understands the characteristics and uses of maps, globes, and other geographic tools and technologies Geography. Standard 6. Level IV [Grade: 9-12]. Understands that culture and experience influence people's perceptions of places and regions Geography. Standard 10. Level IV [Grade: 9-12]. Understands the nature and complexity of Earth's cultural mosaics 12
Lesson 1. Discuss that the diversity of baseball as seen in the major leagues today, has not come easily. Until 1947, the color of one s skin determined whether one could play in the majors. By the 1950s, baseball clubs slowly began signing African American and Latino baseball players. As trailblazing players made their mark, each success story inspired others to follow. 2. Today, fans around the world celebrate baseball s international stars as they prove that they are among the best in the game. Along with dozens of great players born and raised in the Caribbean, there are also a growing number of players from Asia taking the field. Now part of baseball s mainstream, these international stars contribute to the game s future by serving as role models and promoters of their sport to people everywhere. 3. Explain that at the start of the 2012 Major League Baseball season, 243 players (28.4%) were born outside the United States. 1 They represented 15 different countries and territories. Each player brings a unique set of skills to the game. 4. Ask students if they can name any baseball players (from the past or present) that are from other countries. Examples include: Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz is from the Dominican Republic Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente was born and raised in Puerto Rico. Yankees pitching legend Mariano Rivera is from Panama. Ichiro Suzuki is from Japan. 5. Introduce the activity. 1 From a pool of 856 players (749 active roster players and 107 DL or restricted MLB players). Source = http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120405&content_id=27953108&vkey=pr_mlb&c_id=mlb 13
Activity 1. Divide the class into pairs. Have each pair select (or assign) one MLB team to research. Give each pair a "World of Baseball Talent" graphic organizer (included). 2. Have each pair go to their selected team's website (easily found using the "Teams" dropdown menu on www.mlb.com) and find their team's Active Roster. 3. By clicking on each player's name on the Active Roster, students will be able to find out each player's statistics and vital information. Students should write down each player's position and his home country on their organizer. An example has been provided below. 4. Once each pair has completed their graphic organizer, have each pair calculate the number of players from the United States, and from outside the United States. 5. Provide each pair with graph paper, colored pencils, or markers. - OR - Have students use computers with graphing software. Have each pair create a graph comparing the number of players from the U.S., and from outside the U.S. 6. Now have pairs calculate the number of players from each country represented on their MLB teams. Have each pair create a second graph comparing the number of players from each different country on their team. 7. Come back together as a class and combine each pair's data. Create a third graph based on data from the whole class. 8. As a class, analyze the results of your students' research. Did each team have similar numbers of players from different countries? Where are the majority of MLB players from? How many countries are represented on these baseball teams? 14
Conclusion: Cultural Diversity: Diversity in the Dugout - Level 3 To complete this lesson, have students use a large world map to mark each player s home country. Discuss students observations. Are there any geographic areas that seem to produce a greater number of professional baseball players? If so, why might this be the case? To check for understanding, have students write a short journal reflection on the value of diversity and the contributions to baseball made by athletes from a range of backgrounds. 15
Activity Example Cincinnati Reds - Active Roster Sept. 2012 Name Position Home Country Jose Arredondo Pitcher Dominican Republic Bronson Arroyo Pitcher USA Homer Bailey Pitcher USA Jonathan Broxton Pitcher USA Aroldis Chapman Pitcher Cuba Tony Cingrani Pitcher USA Johnny Cueto Pitcher Dominican Republic J.J. Hoover Pitcher USA Mat Latos Pitcher USA Mike Leake Pitcher USA Sam LeCure Pitcher USA Sean Marshall Pitcher USA Logan Ondrusek Pitcher USA Todd Redmond Pitcher USA Alfredo Simon Pitcher Dominican Republic Pedro Villarreal Pitcher USA Ryan Hanigan Catcher USA Devin Mesoraco Catcher USA Dioner Navarro Catcher Venezuela Miguel Cairo 1B Venezuela Zack Cozart SS USA Todd Frazier 3B USA Didi Gregorius SS Netherlands Brandon Phillips 2B USA Henry Rodriguez 2B Venezuela Scott Rolen 3B USA Wilson Valdez SS Dominican Republic Joey Votto 1B Canada Jay Bruce RF USA Chris Heisey LF USA Ryan Ludwick LF USA Xavier Paul LF USA Denis Phipps CF Dominican Republic Drew Stubbs CF USA 16
Activity Example - Part 2 United States 23 Canada Netherlands 1 1 Venezuela 3 Cuba 1 Dominican Republic 5 0 5 10 15 20 25 Graph showing the Countries of Origin of Players on the 2012 Cincinnati Reds 17
World of Baseball Talent Names: Date: Team: Name Position Home Country 18
Name Position Hometown 19