GEOGRAPHY: BASEBALL COAST TO COAST

Since the days of players traveling by train to get from stadium to stadium, geography has always played an important role in professional baseball. Where are baseball teams established and why? How do people and the physical environment influence the game? In this unit, students will explore these questions and more through map work, research, and creative activities. They will work both independently and collaboratively to learn about geographical concepts such as location, population, and culture.

THEMATIC UNIT OBJECTIVE

  • Analyze maps to determine aspects of location and place.
  • Calculate population density and recognize the impact of population on an area.
  • Understand the concept of culture and be able to identify aspects of cultural geography.
  • Appreciate and understand the role of geography in professional baseball.

The major leagues 'must be extended from coast to coast, from north to south.

Hall of Famer Ford Frick, Commissioner of Baseball 1951 - 1965

ROOKIE (GRADES 3-5)

LESSON 1 (PRE-VISIT): SAFE AT HOME: LOCATION AND BASEBALL

Students will be introduced to latitude and longitude coordinates and learn how to use them to find a given location. 

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LESSON 2 (PRE-VISIT): IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME: POPULATION AND BASEBALL

Students will recognize, calculate, and understand the impact of population and population density. 

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LESSON 3 (PRE-VISIT): HEY GETCHA…SUSHI?: THE CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY OF BASEBALL

Students will explore the differences between baseball teams and stadiums in various regions to understand the concept of culture and how it influences the teams. 

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LESSON 4: ON-SITE VISIT OR VIDEO CONFERENCE

Students will work with museum teachers to reinforce concepts and ideas introduced in the classroom.

Book your:

 Field Trip 

or Video Conference

 

LESSON 5 (POST-VISIT): CALLED UP TO THE MAJORS: YOUR TEAM!

Students will work collaboratively on a creative project to demonstrate their understanding of physical and cultural geography as it relates to baseball. 

Download Full Lesson Plan

 

INTERMEDIATE (GRADES 6-8)

LESSON 1 (PRE-VISIT): SAFE AT HOME: LOCATION AND BASEBALL

Students will review the concepts of latitude, longitude, weather, and climate. 

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LESSON 2 (PRE-VISIT): ROAD TRIP! BASEBALL ON THE MOVE

Students will explore how changes in transportation technology throughout the twentieth century affected professional baseball teams. 

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LESSON 3 (PRE-VISIT): HEY GETCHA…SUSHI? THE CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY OF BASEBALL

Students will explore the differences between baseball teams and stadiums in various regions to understand the concept of culture and how it influences the teams. 

Download Full Lesson Plan

 

LESSON 4: ON-SITE VISIT OR VIDEO CONFERENCE

Students will work with museum teachers to reinforce concepts and ideas introduced in the classroom.

Book your: 

Field Trip 

or Video Conference

 

LESSON 5 (POST-VISIT): CALLED UP TO THE MAJORS: YOUR TEAM!

Students will work collaboratively on a creative project to demonstrate their understanding of physical and cultural geography as it relates to baseball. 

Download Full Lesson Plan

ADVANCED (GRADES 9-12)

LESSON 1 (PRE-VISIT): SAFE AT HOME: THE BALLPARKS OF BASEBALL

Ballparks are often referred to as "sacred grounds." In this lesson, students explore ballparks from all eras of baseball history looking for ways in which ballpark design has changed over time. 

Download Full Lesson Plan

 

LESSON 2 (PRE-VISIT): ROAD TRIP! BASEBALL ON THE MOVE

Students will explore how changes in transportation technology throughout the twentieth century affected professional baseball teams. 

Download Full Lesson Plan

 

LESSON 3 (PRE-VISIT): "HEY GETCHA...SUSHI?" THE CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY OF BASEBALL

Students will explore the idea that the food sold at a team's ballpark is an important part of cultural expression. 

Download Full Lesson Plan

 

LESSON 4: ON-SITE VISIT OR VIDEO CONFERENCE

Students will work with museum teachers to reinforce concepts and ideas introduced in the classroom.

Book your: 

Field Trip 

or Video Conference

 

LESSON 5 (POST-VISIT): THE DODGER DEBATE

A team's re-location affects many people. In this lesson, students learn about the stakeholders involved in team re-location controversies. 

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COMMON CORE STANDARDS

CCSS ELA CONTENT: SL.3.1/4.1/5.1, SL.3.4/4.4/5.4
MCREL STANDARDS: Geography.Level 2.Standards 1,2,3,4,5,6

EXPLORE OUR CURRICULUM

The Museum currently offers 15 baseball-themed curriculum components that provide interactive and meaningful learning engagement.

PLAN A VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP

The next best thing to visiting the National Baseball Hall of Fame Museum is participating in a Virtual Field Trip. The Museum's award winning programs bring the wonders of Cooperstown to the classroom.

PLAN A FIELD TRIP

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum proudly presents fun-filled, content rich experiences for students from grades 3 to 12. Our field trips are all aligned with National Learning Standards. 

EXPLORE OUR CURRICULUM

The Museum currently offers 15 baseball-themed curriculum components that provide interactive and meaningful learning engagement.

PLAN A VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP

The next best thing to visiting the National Baseball Hall of Fame Museum is participating in a Virtual Field Trip. The Museum's award winning programs bring the wonders of Cooperstown to the classroom.

PLAN A FIELD TRIP

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum proudly presents fun-filled, content rich experiences for students from grades 3 to 12. Our field trips are all aligned with National Learning Standards.