PLAY BALL

Roslyn N. Matthews             South Shore High School
                               7527 S. Constance
                               Chicago, IL 60649
                               1-312-933-8180

OBJECTIVES:
1)  Given the White Sox averages, compute the batting averages
    and earned run averages.
2)  Given general dimensions of the playing field and some
    equipment, change to the metric system.
3)  To find the diagonal distance from 3rd base to 1st base.
4)  To find the diagonal distance from 40 ft behind 3rd base
    to 1st base.

MATERIALS:
1)  overhead projector
2)  prepared transparencies
3)  White Sox  average sheet from the Chicago Sun-Times (7-16-86)
4)  picture of a baseball field
5)  blackboard
6)  baseball
7)  bat
8)  calculators
9)  an official baseball rules handbook

STRATEGIES:
Does anyone know the nation's oldest active major league ballpark?
      Comiskey Park

Fine-----Let's Play Ball
The league President appoints an official statistician to maintain an accumulative 
record of all the batting, fielding, running, and pitch-ing records for each 
player. This morning we are going to complete an abbreviated average table.  This 
table was obtained from Wednesday's Sun-Times--July 16, 1986. (Figure 2) 

Batting averages  =Hits  The percentage of times that a player gets
                   A.B.    a hit.
       
The headings for each column will be explained. The formula will be emphasized and 
the students will now compute the batting averages of the names listed on their 
table. 

Earned Run Averages = (ER/IP)9  The average number of runs a pitcher
                                allows his opponents to score.

The headings for each column will be explained. The formula will be emphasized and 
the students will now compute the earned run averages. 

Certain dimensions are given of the playing field and equipment. 
(Figure 3) Change standard units to the metric system.


 Using the baseball field:  Find the distance from 3rd base  to 1st.
                            Draw the distance. Compute. 
Pythagorean Theorem       OR                  45-45-90 Rt Triangle
d2 = 902 + 902                                Leg times the sq rt of 2
d = 127.28 ft.                                d = 127.28 ft.

                            The left fielder catches a bouncing ball 40 ft.
                            behind the 3rd base. How far would the out-
                            fielder have to throw the ball.  Draw the
                            distance. Compute
Pythagorean Theorem
d2 = 1302 + 902
d = 158.11 ft.

BRAINTEASER
There are 100 seats available at the baseball game. These seats may be divided in 
proportion to men, women, and children.  However, the cost of the tickets for 
these seats must equal exactly $100. The cost for a man is $5.00, for a woman 
$2.00, and for a child $.10.  Determine the number of men's, women's, and 
children's ticket to purchase. 
                                                                     
 (Figure 2)                WHITE SOX AVERAGES       (Completed)
                                           GW
Batter      AVG  G  AB  R   H 2B 3B HR RBI RBI SAC SB  E
Baines     .316 84 332 50 105 18  2 12  53   6   7  1  2
Hairston   .308 54 107 16  33  7  0  2  18   3   1  0  0
Bonilla    .262 71 221 26  58  9  2  2  25   1   3  4  2
Cruz       .261 49 134 28  35  1  0  0  15   1   1  5  4
Walker     .261 62 222 29  58 10  6 10  43   5   2  1  5
Hulett     .258 74 233 26  60 11  5  6  21   3   5  2  7
Guillen    .252 83 278 34  70 11  3  2  33   5   4  6 11
Cangelosi  .243 80 272 47  66 11  2  1  17   2   5 39  4
Tolleson   .236 71 233 36  55  6  3  3  23   2  12 13  8
Lyons (S)  .233  9  30  4   7  0  0  0   2   0   0  2  0
Lyons (T)  .247 69 154 24  38  7  2  1  16   1   0  3  3
Fisk       .216 76 287 30  62  8  0  7  45   4   6  2  7
Kittle     .208 75 259 29  54 10  0 13  41   2   6  2  0
Skinner    .186 52 129 13  24  3  1  2   4   1   1  1  3
Nichols    .182 40  55  3  10  2  0  0   7   3   0  5  0
Others     .200 --  85 11  17  1  0  0   2   0   0  0 12
Totals     .248 86                     360  36  55 83 65
Opponents  .258 86                     378  40  54 58 68
 
Pitcher      W  L  ERA  G GS CG SH SV IP    H ER BB SO
Dawley       0  4 2.77 27  0  0  0  1 48.2 45 15 15 33
Bannister    5  5 3.17 12 11  0  0  0 65.1 64 22 23 31
McKeon       3  1 3.04 28  0  0  0  1 26.2 14  9 17 13

(figure 3)         General Dimensions
Multiply by                  Standard         Round to        Metric
.09290          Playing       2 acres   Nearest tenth         .8 H
Divide by 10000  Field   (87120 ft2)

.3048           Diamond      90 ft        "      "            27.4 m

2.54            Baseball     9 to 9.25in Whole no to tenth    23/23.5 cm

28.349523       Baseball (wt) 5 0z        "    "              142 g

3
  "               "           5.25 Oz     "    "              149 g

25.4            Bat (diameter) 2.75 in    "    "               69 mm

.3018           Bat            42 in     Nearest hundredth    1.07 m

2.54            Batter's Box   17 in     Whole no               43 cm

(Note: Figure 1 is a picture of the baseball field which is attached to
       the end of this report.)

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