Discover informational articles and sports coverage adapted for young readers
May 13, 2025
This article explains how baseball gloves are made as part of a series on baseball equipment manufacturing. It describes the purpose of baseball gloves for catching balls safely and then details their production process. The manufacturing starts with basic materials like cowhide leather, thread, padding, webbing, and lacing. The process includes cutting leather pieces, shaping and molding them, sewing them together, creating the web pocket, adding padding, lacing the parts together, and finishing with oil and quality inspection. The article is written at a 6th grade reading level and includes information about different types of gloves for various positions, without mentioning specific brands or teams.
This article explains what a curveball is in baseball and how it works. A curveball is a pitch that appears to suddenly drop as it approaches the batter, making it difficult to hit. The movement comes from the spin a pitcher puts on the ball when throwing it, creating different air pressures that make the ball curve (the Magnus Effect). The article describes the proper grip technique for throwing a curveball and mentions famous pitchers known for their curveballs like Clayton Kershaw and Sandy Koufax. It includes a hypothetical example of a youth baseball player experiencing a curveball and offers tips for batters learning to hit this challenging pitch. The article is part of a series called "Baseball Basics" that explains different aspects of the sport for beginners and enthusiasts.
In a historic night for the New York Yankees, rookie outfielder Jasson Dominguez made history by becoming the youngest player to hit three home runs in a single game. At just 22 years and 91 days old, he surpassed a long-standing record set by Yankees icon Joe DiMaggio in 1937. With this remarkable achievement, Dominguez not only doubled his home run total for the season but also showcased his potential as one of the team's brightest stars.
May 12, 2025
This article explains why baseballs travel farther in warm weather compared to cold weather. It's part of a series on the science of baseball and fitness. The article describes two main factors: air density and ball elasticity. In warm weather, air is less dense, creating less resistance for the baseball as it travels. Additionally, warmer baseballs are more elastic and bounce better off the bat. The combination of these factors means a baseball can travel 20-25 feet farther on a hot day compared to a cold day. The article includes simple examples and explanations of scientific concepts like air density and coefficient of restitution, written at a 6th-grade reading level.
This article ranks and profiles MLB players #75-71 for the 2025 season. Steven Kwan (#75) is highlighted for his elite defense with three straight Gold Gloves and his exceptional contact ability. Luis Arraez (#74) is celebrated for his historic achievement of winning batting titles with three different teams in consecutive years and his remarkable ability to avoid strikeouts. Brandon Nimmo (#73) is recognized for reaching 100 career home runs with the Mets and his versatility in the outfield. Michael King (#72) is featured for his successful transition from reliever to starter with the Padres, including his first career complete game shutout. Yoshinobu Yamamoto (#71) is profiled as the Dodgers' prized international signing who has already won a World Series, Olympic gold medal, and World Baseball Classic championship.
This article explains MLB revenue sharing as part of a series on baseball business topics. Revenue sharing is a system where MLB teams share portions of their income to help create competitive balance. The article uses examples like the Yankees sharing with smaller-market teams like the Royals, and explains how this system helps smaller-market teams afford good players. It compares revenue sharing to two lemonade stands sharing profits, making the concept accessible to young readers. The article discusses how revenue sharing promotes fairness, helps baseball grow in more cities, and creates better competition. While the system isn't perfect, it helps create a more balanced league where teams from various market sizes can compete.
May 11, 2025
This article covers the history of the Kansas City Royals baseball team from their founding in 1969 to the present day. It describes their early beginnings as an expansion team, their rise to success in the 1970s and 1980s led by stars like George Brett, and their first World Series championship in 1985. The article then discusses their challenging years during the 1990s and 2000s, followed by their return to glory with their second World Series championship in 2015. It concludes with information about their more recent rebuilding efforts and their importance to Kansas City's culture. The article highlights key players, important moments, and the team's legacy throughout their history.
This article explores how artificial turf for baseball fields is manufactured, as part of a series on baseball equipment production. It explains that artificial turf is a synthetic alternative to natural grass that requires less maintenance and provides consistent playing conditions. The manufacturing process begins with creating plastic fibers (usually polyethylene) through extrusion, followed by preparing a woven backing material. The fibers are then tufted through the backing using specialized machines. Additional coating is applied to secure the fibers, and the turf is rolled and cut to size for installation. The final steps involve installing the turf on prepared ground and adding infill materials like rubber granules or sand between the blades. The finished product provides a durable playing surface that can withstand various weather conditions and heavy use.
May 10, 2025
Bruce Bochy, born in France in 1955, had a nine-year MLB playing career as a catcher with the Astros, Mets, and Padres before transitioning to management. After success in the minor leagues, he became the Padres' manager in 1995, leading them to four division titles and a World Series appearance in 1998. In 2007, he joined the San Francisco Giants, where he guided the team to three World Series championships (2010, 2012, 2014). After briefly retiring in 2019, Bochy returned to manage the Texas Rangers in 2023, immediately leading them to their first World Series championship. With four World Series titles, Bochy is one of only three managers to win championships in both leagues. Known for his calm demeanor and strategic expertise, particularly in bullpen management, Bochy has accumulated over 2,000 career wins, placing him among baseball's all-time great managers.
This article describes the career path of a baseball scout as part of a series exploring baseball-related professions. It explains that scouts evaluate player talent and potential for baseball teams by observing skills, writing reports, and making recommendations. The article emphasizes that becoming a scout requires strong education (particularly reading, writing, and analytical skills), with most scouts now having college degrees in fields like Sports Management or Business. Baseball experience is valuable, and scouts typically start by networking, volunteering, and working part-time positions. The scout lifestyle involves extensive travel and game observation, making it challenging but rewarding for those who enjoy evaluating talent and contributing to team development. The article emphasizes the importance of education, reading regularly, and college for students interested in this career.
May 9, 2025
This article explains how forearm muscles contribute to grip strength for baseball players. It begins by introducing the series on Baseball Science and Fitness, then explains the two main muscle groups in the forearm: flexors (for gripping) and extensors (for opening hands). The article details how strong forearms help with bat control, maintaining grip during swings, and transferring power when hitting. For throwing, forearm strength provides ball control, creates spin for different pitches, and helps prevent injuries. The article concludes with simple exercises like ball squeezes and wrist curls to improve forearm strength. Throughout, examples illustrate how forearm muscles function during baseball activities like hitting home runs and pitching fastballs.
