1. Baseball as the American Pastime List some facts that you know about baseball. Why do you think that it is called the American pastime?

2. Baseball Ken Burns directed a documentary of the same name that traces the social and cultural history of the nation’s pastime. With 9 episodes it has been dubbed an American epic. As we delve into the role of baseball in film, we will reference this documentary.

3. Baseball – Why? Children’s game becomes national obsession. Reflects divided nature of democracy: individual achievement and sacrifice for the good of the team. Heroes reflect cultural ideals, what we aspire to be. Demonstrates American enterprise as well as ambition, exploitation, and greed.

4. Baseball – Why? Symbolic of the diversity of American culture...economically, socially, and racially. Highlights the struggle for racial justice. Exemplifies American excellence. Criteria for the three films we will screen: 1.Worth watching 10 years after its release 2.Characters are interesting enough to be enjoyed by people who know nothing about baseball

5. Rule Breakers Write the quote below. “I _____ in rules. Sure I do. _____ there _____ rules, _____ could you _____ _____?” Use the words from the Word Bank to fill in the blanks. anybelievebreakhowifthem weren’t What do you think this quote means?

6. Casey at the Bat Flashback to this poem from 9 th grade. Who is Casey? What is expected from him? Does he deliver? What is this poem considered to have an anticlimactic ending?

7. Jackie Robinson "There was never a man in the game who could put mind and muscle together quicker than Jackie Robinson." Branch Rickey Branch Rickey, innovate baseball executive, made this statement about Jackie Robinson. Based on what you know about Jackie Robinson, what is Rickey trying to say about him?

8. Roger Roeper on “42” Read the article. What are Roeper’s critiques of the film? Why does it remain worth screening? What are some acting choices that we should watch for in the film?

9. Leo Durocher Leo Durocher claims he was sacked forty times (by Larry MacPhail) in his five years as Dodger manager, but I was there and I can verify only twenty-seven. Harold Parrot Christopher Meloni plays the role of Leo Durocher, the Dodgers’ manager. What does this quote say about his character?

10. Centerfield Listen to John Fogerty’s song, “Centerfield”. How does it express his feelings about the game? How does it relate to baseball as the American pasttime?