Discover timely sports news adapted for students in K12 classrooms. We offer multiple reading levels, reading comprehension questions and endless fun.
This article explores how baseballs are manufactured as part of a series about baseball equipment. It explains that baseballs start with a cork and rubber center ("the pill"), which is then wrapped in multiple layers of wool and cotton yarn. The ball is covered with two pieces of cowhide leather shaped like figure-8s, which are stitched together with 108 red cotton stitches. The manufacturing process involves five main steps: creating the center, winding the yarn, adding the leather cover, stitching, and final quality checks. The article explains the materials used and describes how each step contributes to creating a consistent, durable ball that meets official specifications for weight and size.
April 6, 2025
This article explains the role of a pitcher in baseball and why it's considered the most important defensive position. It defines what a pitcher does (throw the ball to start each play) and explains different types of pitches like fastballs, curveballs, sliders, and changeups. The article outlines why pitching is so important: pitchers start every play, can prevent hits before they happen, set the game's pace, and can change momentum. It also describes different types of pitchers (starters, relievers, and closers) with examples of professional players. Real-life examples and a hypothetical story about a young pitcher help illustrate the concepts for a sixth-grade reading level.
