Baseball by the Numbers

Baseball by the numbers (Corey Ray, Terri Rowden, Pat Starr)

Mathematical Topics Addressed

Using formulas

Creating a graph

Percentages

Converting Fractions to decimals

Standards

MO 1.1, 1.8, 3.4

Materials/Handouts Needed

9 baseball cards per student (no pitchers)

Protractor

Calculator

Compass or circle paper

Procedure

Have the students choose 9 baseball cards that have the following statistics with career totals. This works best if the player has been in the major league for several years. The following career totals are needed: AB: At Bats; H: Hits; 2B: Double; 3B: Triple; HR: Home Run; BB: Base on Balls (Walks).

Give the following formulas to your students: # of times batting = AB + BB;

Singles = H – (HR+2B+3B); Outs = AB – H. The students will use career totals to find percentages for the following statistical measures: Single, Double, Triple, Home Run, Base on Balls, and Outs.

Students should use the non-rounded percentages to find the angles needed to construct a circle graph. If the students’ calculations are correct, the degrees should add up to 360 ± 1 degrees. Once the total degrees are verified, students should construct a pie chart for each player.

Students can now pair up and play an “n” inning baseball game using the circle graph as a spinner. Students would place their players in any order they choose. One student will be would start the top of the inning. This student would spin. If the spinner would land on a single, for example, the student would have a player on 1st base. If the spinner for the next player, for example, the player on 1st base would move to 3rd base and there would also be a player on 2nd base. If a batter walks, a runner only moves up a base if someone will replace the runner. The player continues to spin until he/she accumulates 3 outs. When the player who spins in the bottom of the inning accumulates 3 outs, the next inning begins. Players are responsible to keep track of the runners on base and the score.

Extension:

Have students create a circle graph based on monthly incomes and expenditures,