Discover informational articles and sports coverage adapted for young readers
This article explains the slider pitch in baseball as part of a techniques series. It defines what a slider is - a pitch that appears to be a fastball but breaks sideways and down late as it approaches home plate. The article describes how pitchers grip and throw sliders, and explains why they're difficult to hit: the late break gives batters little time to adjust, they look like fastballs until the last moment, and the speed difference from fastballs disrupts timing. The piece mentions professional pitchers known for effective sliders like Max Scherzer and Mariano Rivera, and cautions young players about learning the pitch too early due to potential arm strain. Through simple explanations and comparisons (like frisbees and water balloons), the article makes this complex pitching technique accessible to young readers.
May 20, 2025
In a stunning display of offensive prowess, the San Diego Padres achieved a record-breaking 21-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, marking the largest margin of victory in franchise history. Led by impressive performances from eight players with multiple hits and rookie pitcher Stephen Kolek's complete game shutout, the Padres showcased both depth and talent as they solidified their position at the top of the NL West. Meanwhile, the struggling Rockies face a challenging season ahead, now holding the worst record in the league.
May 19, 2025
Trade season is upon us! Teams are eyeing star third baseman Nolan Arenado as the Cardinals look to restructure their team for the future.Recently, MLB analyst Jim Bowden from The Athletic put forth a proposition that could significantly shift the dynamics for both the Cardinals and the Detroit Tigers. In his suggestion, the Cardinals would relinquish Arenado to the Tigers in exchange for two minor league prospects: right-handed pitcher Josh Randall and third baseman Carson Rucker.
In a recent meeting with Red Sox owner John Henry, star player Rafael Devers expressed his frustration over position changes after being asked to shift from designated hitter to first base. This ongoing tension stems from the team's decision to sign Alex Bregman, leading Devers to agree to a reduced role that he now feels is being undermined. As the Red Sox grapple with both player injuries and early-season challenges, finding a resolution is crucial for team harmony and performance.
This article ranks and profiles MLB players #65-#61 in a 2025 Top 100 list. At #65, Jackson Chourio of the Brewers stands out as a 21-year-old phenom who recorded a historic 20-20 season and signed a record contract before his MLB debut. #64 features Reynaldo Lopez, who transformed his career with the Braves, earning his first All-Star selection in 2024. Sean Manaea ranks #63 after signing a major contract with the Mets following his successful 12-6 season, though he begins 2025 injured. At #62, Logan Webb has become the Giants' ace, leading the NL in innings pitched two straight years and earning his first All-Star selection. George Kirby rounds out the group at #61, known for his exceptional control as a Mariners starter who set an MLB record with 24 consecutive strikes to begin a game.
This article explains how high altitude affects professional athletes, with a focus on baseball players. At higher altitudes, there's less oxygen available, causing athletes to breathe faster, experience quicker fatigue, and need longer recovery times. The body can adapt through a process called acclimatization. In baseball specifically, altitude affects both players and the ball - players tire more quickly while the baseball travels farther and breaking pitches don't curve as much. Coors Field in Denver is the highest Major League Baseball stadium at 5,200 feet above sea level, followed by Chase Field in Phoenix (1,100 feet) and Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles (500 feet). The "Coors Field Effect" results in balls traveling about 10% farther than at sea level because of reduced air resistance. Teams develop specific strategies to account for these altitude effects.
This article explains baseball's luxury tax system in simple terms for young readers. It describes how the luxury tax works as a penalty fee for teams that spend too much on player salaries, with higher rates for repeat offenders. The article uses both real examples like the Dodgers and Yankees and hypothetical scenarios to illustrate the concept. The luxury tax money helps support smaller-market teams, player benefits, and baseball development programs. The system exists to promote fairness and competitive balance in baseball, preventing wealthy teams from simply buying all the best talent and giving smaller-market teams a better chance to compete.
May 18, 2025
This article covers the history of the Los Angeles Angels baseball team from their founding in 1961 to the present day. It discusses their beginning as an expansion team under Gene Autry's ownership, their moves and name changes from Los Angeles to California to Anaheim and back to Los Angeles Angels. Key moments covered include their first playoff appearances in the 1970s and 1980s, their 2002 World Series championship, and star players throughout their history including Nolan Ryan, Mike Trout, and Shohei Ohtani. The article is written at a 6th-grade reading level and focuses on the positive aspects of the team's history while avoiding any controversial topics.
Kevin Cash, born in Tampa in 1977, has established himself as one of baseball's most innovative and successful managers with the Tampa Bay Rays. Before becoming a manager, Cash played eight MLB seasons as a catcher with five different teams, including the Blue Jays, Devil Rays, Red Sox, Yankees, and Astros. After retiring as a player in 2012, he worked as an advance scout for Toronto before becoming Cleveland's bullpen coach under Terry Francona. In 2015, Cash returned to his hometown when the Rays hired him as manager. His tenure has been marked by innovation, including pioneering the "opener" strategy, and consistent success despite budget constraints. Cash won back-to-back AL Manager of the Year awards in 2020 and 2021, becoming the first AL manager to do so consecutively. He led the Rays to five straight playoff appearances from 2019-2023, including a World Series appearance in 2020. In 2024, Cash became the winningest manager in Rays history, surpassing Joe Maddon with his 755th victory.
May 17, 2025
This article explains how baseball scoreboards are manufactured as part of a series about baseball equipment production. It describes what scoreboards are and their purpose in baseball games - displaying scores and game information to fans. The article details the manufacturing process starting with basic materials like metal frames, electronic components, and LEDs. It contrasts traditional mechanical scoreboards that use flip panels with modern electronic LED scoreboards. The manufacturing process includes building metal frames, creating LED display panels, assembling components, developing control software, and finally installing the completed scoreboard at baseball fields. The content is written at a 6th-grade reading level and organized with clear subheadings covering each stage of scoreboard production.
This article explains what the core is and its importance in baseball performance. The core includes abdominal, back, hip and pelvic muscles that connect the upper and lower body. In baseball, the core acts as a bridge that transfers energy from the legs to the arms during both hitting and pitching. When hitting, energy travels from the ground through the legs, hips, core, shoulders, and finally to the bat. In pitching, the core helps rotate the torso to generate throwing velocity. A strong core improves power, prevents energy leaks, enhances balance, prevents injuries, and increases efficiency in baseball movements. The article recommends training all core muscles with exercises like planks and rotational movements, not just focusing on abs.
May 16, 2025
This article explores how to become a General Manager in baseball as part of a career spotlight series. It explains that GMs are responsible for building teams through drafts and trades, managing budgets, hiring key staff, and making data-driven decisions. The path to becoming a GM typically requires a college education in fields like sports management, business, economics, or law. Important skills include math, English, economics, and computer science. The article emphasizes that reading regularly and doing well in school are essential foundations for this career. Most GMs start in entry-level positions like internships, scouting, or front office roles before working their way up over many years. The career demands strong analytical abilities, communication skills, negotiation talent, and baseball knowledge.
