[E] Play Ball

LET'S UNLOCK WORDS AND PHRASES 🔐

competitively

[ kuhm-ˈpet-i-tiv-lee ]

adverb

- in a way that shows that you want to win; playing to win

In his spare time John races cars competitively.

various

[ ˈvair-ee-uhs ]

adjective

- different

There are various ways of getting to the station.

stadium

[ ˈstey-dee-uhm ]

noun

- an arena, or place where a game is played

The sports meeting was held in the stadium.

championship

[ ˈcham-pee-uhn-ˌship ]

noun

- the position of being the best in a particular sport or competition

She won the championship four times in succession.

couch potato

noun

- someone who prefers to relax and watch TV

You are such a couch potato on weekends.

LET'S READ! 📖

Direction: Read the passage aloud. Then, read it silently.

Play Ball!

Sometimes it may seem like it, but eating and waiting for the bus aren't the only fun activities that Americans enjoy. Americans love their sports. They play sports, and they watch sports; their kids play sports, and they watch their kids play sports. . . you get the idea. Organized sports make it easy for adults and children to join local teams and play their favorite sports competitively. Local towns have sign-ups each season for various teams. Heck, our husbands think they're superstars of the over-40 soccer team! Many companies sponsor teams, and their employees practice and play after work. On weekends, lots of people love to catch a game, either on TV or at the stadium.

Although Americans enjoy almost every sport, major league baseball is often considered the all-American sport. Couch potatoes enjoy watching every game on TV. The season's high point is the championship series between the top two professional teams. Yes, even though the teams only come from the U.S. or Canada, the championship is called the World Series. I guess the baseball "world" is smaller than the real world.

COMPREHENSION CHECK 🧠 A. Direction: Choose the correct answer to the following questions.

COMPREHENSION CHECK

What are some fun activities that Americans enjoy besides eating and waiting for the bus?
a. Americans enjoy sleeping.
b. Americans like gardening.
c. Americans like shopping.
d. Americans enjoy sports.
How do adults and children participate in sports in the United States?
a. They participate in international games.

b. They are forced to join the competition.

c. They join local teams and play their favorite sports competitively.

d. They are scared of losing the game.
When can people in local towns sign up for various sports teams?
a. They can write their names and addresses on a piece of paper.

b. They have to wait for the announcement.

c. They can sign up each season.

d. They can sign up online.
Who often sponsors sports teams in the United States?
a. Many companies sponsor teams.

b. A private organization sponsors teams.

c. One business owner sponsors teams.

d. The government sponsors teams.
When do some employees practice and play for their sponsored teams?
a. They practice and play on the weekdays.

b. They practice and play after work.

c. They practice and play when they want to.

d. They practice in the afternoon.

B. Direction: Answer the following questions based on the article.

What do many people like to do on weekends in relation to sports?
Which sport is often considered the all-American sport?
What is the high point of the baseball season?
What is the name of the championship series in baseball, even though it involves only U.S. and Canadian teams?
Why is it ironic that the baseball championship is called the World Series?

C. Direction: Match the words in column A with their synonyms in column B.

A	B
1. fun	A. notable
2. join	B. genuine
3. superstar	C. preferred
4. favorite	D. enjoyable
5. real	E. get involved in