The Baseball Wrist

I'm sititng in the airport in Marquette (the Upper Peninsula of Michigan) waiting for a flight back to Detroit. Yesterday I had horrible internet connectivity so I couldn't post. But here's the post I wrote for yesterday.

The Detroit Tigers are contending for their first American League title since 1984. They have beaten the Oakland A’s in two straight games (make that three straight games) to take a two (three) games to none lead in the playoff series. But, the Detroit Free Press is reporting that Tiger relief pitching star Joel Zumaya has inflammation in his right wrist and forearm.

The article states:

Zumaya was not available in Game 2. The Tigers won, anyway, as their other relief pitchers – Fernando Rodney, in particular – threw the crucial innings usually reserved for Zumaya. Yet, even as the victory gave Detroit a two-games-to-none series lead, there were questions Thursday about how Zumaya's absence would affect the team's chance to win the AL pennant, and ultimately contend for a world title.

An entire city is worried about one man’s sore wrist.

Lesson Ideas:

1. Tell your students to imagine that Joel Zumaya’s doctors told him he had a choice. He could play baseball this post season but doing so would end his career. However, if he did not continue to play in the post season he could play again for the rest of his career. Ask your students if they think that Zumaya should pitch or not. Encourage them to explain their opinions.

2. Help your child understand that Joel Zumaya relies on his wrist and forearm to do his job. Tell students that many people who rely on a certain part of their body to do their work insure that part of their body. For example, Joel Zumaya might insure his throwing arm. Explain what it means to insure something. Ask students to pick one thing that they would like to insure. It doesn’t have to be a body part it could also be a belonging.

3. It’s interesting to stop and consider the ways in which sports bring money to a community. When people go to a ball game they must buy the tickets. They often buy food and souvenirs. In groups ask students to make lists of the various businesses in a community that benefit from professional sports. You might invite them to blog these lists.

4. Sports evolve over time. For example, when basketball was first invented people shot the ball into a box and the ball had to be taken out of the box. Obviously now the ball just goes through the net. Ask your students to consider how a specific sport might change in the future. Ask them why they think the sport might change in this way. If possible, you might allow students to play this sport according to the new rules.

5. Ask your students if they think that major league baseball is important in the United States. Ask why it’s important. In groups ask students to create documentaries in which they explain why professional sports might be important in the United States. You might ask students to vodcast or podcast these documentaries.

Edit or expand upon these lessons on our Lesson Wiki.