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Academic Curriculum

The curriculum will be sub-divided into four modules, each organized around a fundamental baseball skill – running, hitting, fielding, and throwing. Each module will include lessons in math, science, history and social studies; hands-on experimental activities; baseball skills training; and an overall philosophical theme. Participating students will read, write, experiment, work on basic baseball skills, play baseball, and consider how these activities relate to each other and to the students’ lives. We will center each module with a basic skill connected to other modules and a number of intellectual strands.  We hope to help students develop a habit of mind that looks for these connections in all aspects of their lives.

Participants will also study how baseball history relates to U.S history and in particular to the history and experiences of different cultural groups. Through readings and discussions, students will explore the history of the Negro Leagues; how culture influences the game in Japan; and the implications of the rising influence of Latino ballplayers in the Major Leagues. Participants will be required to write and peer-review short essays about these topics. Through this writing component of the program, all participants will be able to relate to legendary baseball examples and role-models from the past with similar cultural background and familial influences. These relevant connections are essential to learning and mastery.

Finally, students will collect, track, and analyze scrimmage results. Later in the program, they will learn to apply their knowledge of statistics to assign players, select line-ups, and formulate pitching strategy for the next day’s scrimmage. Homework to reinforce the day’s topics may include short readings, problem-solving exercises, and analyzing Major League game statistics.

Athletic Curriculum

MSBP will give students a chance to develop their foundational baseball skills such as hitting, throwing, and catching. Each skill will be linked closely with the academic curriculum. Thus, students will develop their batting skills as they understand, for instance, the principles of bat-ball collisions and the factors that influence the distance a hit ball travels. After basic drills, the participants will play a short three-inning scrimmage. As their basic skills improve, and as they become proficient with statistics, the curricular focus will shift to studying baseball strategy. Here, players will learn to make decisions based on probability of influencing game outcomes. A debriefing session will be held after the scrimmage to tie together the day’s learning.