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Play Ball!

By Ashley P. Taylor
From the May/June 2023 Issue
Lexile: 870L; 620L

Every spring, fans crowd baseball stadiums to cheer on their teams—usually while eating snacks like Cracker Jack! This mix of caramel popcorn and peanuts was made famous in the 1908 song “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” That may seem like a long time ago, but the story of baseball begins even earlier.

English colonists brought a baseball-like game to North America in the 1700s. The official sport was first played in the U.S. in 1846. Eventually, it became a national pastime.

Baseball continues to change with time. “Players are getting better with each generation,” says John Thorn, the official historian for Major League Baseball.

Change can indeed be sweet. In 2022, Cracker Jill hit concession stands. It’s like Cracker Jack, but its packaging and name honor women and their contributions to sports!

Every spring, fans visit baseball stadiums. They cheer for their favorite teams. And they usually eat snacks, like Cracker Jack! Cracker Jack is a mix of caramel popcorn and peanuts. The treat was made famous in the 1908 song “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” That may seem like a long time ago. But the story of baseball begins even earlier.

English colonists once played a game similar to baseball. They brought this game to North America in the 1700s. The official sport of baseball was first played in the U.S. in 1846. Eventually, it became a national pastime.

Baseball continues to change with time. “Players are getting better with each generation,” says John Thorn. He’s the official historian for Major League Baseball.

Change can indeed be sweet. In 2022, Cracker Jill hit concession stands. It’s similar to Cracker Jack. But its packaging and name honor women and their contributions to sports!

Bettmann Archive/Getty Images (Babe Ruth); Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images (Alex Rodriguez); Shutterstock.com (All Other Images)

Home Run Hitters

These six Major League Baseball players hit the most home runs during their careers.

Source: MLB.com

Which baseball player hit the most home runs?

Which baseball player hit the most home runs?

A. Hank Aaron

A. Hank Aaron

B. Barry Bonds

B. Barry Bonds

C. Babe Ruth

C. Babe Ruth

D. Willie Mays

D. Willie Mays

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World Series Wins

From 1903 to 2022, these 5 teams* won the World Series most often.

*Team names current as of 2023

Source: Statisa.

Which team has more World Series wins: the Red Sox or the Cardinals?

Which team has more World Series wins: the Red Sox or the Cardinals?

Felix Choo/Alamy Stock Photo (Cracker Jack); Shutterstock.com (All Other Images)

Concession Costs

Here are 2022 snack prices at stadiums of select teams.

Source: ESPN

At which stadium does a hot dog cost the least?

At which stadium does a hot dog cost the least?

How many World Series wins do the Giants have?

How many World Series wins do the Giants have?

A. 6

A. 6

B. 8

B. 8

C. 10

C. 10

D. 12

D. 12

Where does a hot dog and nachos cost $10?

Where does a hot dog and nachos cost $10?

How many home runs did Willie Mays hit?

How many home runs did Willie Mays hit?

A. 660

A. 660

B. 750

B. 750

C. 820

C. 820

D. 1,000

D. 1,000

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