Book Talk Thursday ~ Hey, Batta, Batta Swing {Freebie Included}

Thursday is finally here and could not have come sooner this week! That also means it is Book Talk Thursday!

My son has started baseball season, and it is in full swing, no pun intended!  Last weekend he played catcher for the first time and was pretty good at it for a first timer.  I have never been a big baseball fan, but when your child plays, you become one!  So, here I am, loving baseball!

Boys love nonfiction, so we headed to the library several weeks ago to find some sports books.  I ran across this fun book Hey Batta Batta Swing!: The Wild Old Days of Baseball.  {Click on the picture to take you to Amazon to learn more about the book.}
This book is super fun to read!  It tells of the history of all things baseball!  Things I would have never thought to have mattered!

The book is full of funny pictures that depict the way baseball used to be.  All of them are drawings, but they really get the point across.  I especially like the pictures of the guys in their original uniforms that included ties.  Too funny!

The book includes many headers to tell about what the reader will learn in each section.  It includes information about team colors, which used to be based on position ~ quite confusing, player numbers, gear, team names, player nicknames, and cheating.  Yes, cheating, though it was much different back then!

The book uses a lot of baseball jargon, and there is no glossary.  BUT, even better, the words are bolded and then defined right there on the page! Can't beat that!  I learned a lot about baseball!

So, since baseball in "in full swing", I created a fun game to play with my third graders, once they are finished with testing.  It is called "Fast Pitch" and is much like my "Snowball Fight" games.  This one works with long vowel patterns.  It includes 5 sets of cards for games, a game board with extra cards, and recording pages.  The long a set is your freebie!

Just click here to grab it or on the baseball cards below.


There are several variations included in the game, though the possibilities are endless!  My kids love to play "Snap" with the cards.  I print out two copies of the cards, and they have to read the cards as they turn them over.  If they get the same word, whoever slaps the cards first wins.

We also just put the cards in a pile and read the cards.  If a "Curve Ball" is drawn, all cards of that player go back in the pile.  I always make that player reread all of the cards again as they are put back!

The game board is another fun way to play!  The directions for play are included.

I have also included recording sheets to use with the game in a literacy center, if you choose to use the cards that way.
You can grab the long a set as freebie by here.  If you like it, purchase the whole set either in my TPT store or TN shop!

Now that I know more about baseball's history, I actually enjoy watching it!  Imagine how much a child who actually enjoys playing the game would learn from this book!

Don't forget your freebie!

Classroom Freebies Manic Monday

9 comments

  1. What a cute game! I've got some baseball lovers who will totally dig that book - thanks for sharing! :)

    ~Jessica
    Joy in the Journey

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    1. Thank you! I hope the baseball fans love it! Enjoy!

      Andrea

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  2. What a fun game! Kids will love this!!
    Jan

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    1. Thanks! My kids have had fun with another game I made like this one! Can't wait to play it with my students!

      Andrea

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  3. Andrea, I just love your Blog! Christi did a great job on the design!! I also wanted to say that I like your "Fast Pitch" game! :) Have a great week!!!

    Danielle

    Crayonbox Learning

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    1. Thanks! I still can't believe it is my blog! Enjoy the Fast Pitch game!

      Andrea

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  4. That book looks like so much fun! Thanks for sharing your freebie!

    Love to Learn

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    Replies
    1. The book is a fun way to learn about baseball! Enjoy the freebie!
      Andrea

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