Economics: The Business of Baseball

by National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

"Baseball is too much of a sport to be a business, and too much of a business to be a sport." - Phil Wrigley, Owner of the Chicago Cubs from 1932 to 1977

In today's game, the business of baseball is readily apparent. Player salaries, ticket prices, league structure, team ownership, and the players' union all figure into the game's "corporate structure." Yet, baseball has been a business in its organization, inner-workings, and capitalist goals since the 19th century. The game evolved during a period of big business, great industrial growth, and technological change in this country. In this unit, students will explore economic laws and concepts associated with the national pastime.

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About This Program

Cost

By Request: $150.00

Participants in the Baseball Hall of Fame Membership Program receive a $25 discount on each of their programs. Visit www.Baseballhall.org for more information on the Hall of Fame's Membership Program.

Length

One hour

Target Audience

Education: Grade(s) 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Minimum participants:

n/a

Maximum participants:

There is no maximum number of participants. However, for optimum interactivity we suggest you limit the group to no more than 30 participants. If your program must exceed this number please contact the Hall of Fame at Education@Baseballhallofame.org or (607)547-0347 to discuss your programming optio

Primary Disciplines

Economics/Business, Mathematics

Program Delivery Mode

Videoconference - H.323 (Polycom, Cisco/Tandberg, LifeSize, etc...)

Booking Information

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For more information contact CILC at (507) 388-3672

Provider's Cancellation Policy

If the program is cancelled or rescheduled at least one week prior to the date of the program, then no fee is charged. If the program is cancelled or rescheduled less than one week prior to the scheduled date of the videoconference, then a $25.00 administrative fee may be charged.

Programs cancelled without notice by the school will be charged the entire program fee.

About This Provider

National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

Cooperstown, NY
United States

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a not-for-profit educational institution dedicated to fostering an appreciation of the historical development of baseball and its impact on our culture by collecting, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting its collections for a global audience, as well as honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to our National Pastime.

Contact:
Education Department
Education@Baseballhall.org
607-547-0362

Program Details

Format

1. This program begins with an introduction to The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and Cooperstown, NY.

2. Discuss the cost of a baseball and the reasons why the price has risen over the years.

3. Introduce the different time periods that the students will work within.

4. Students examine primary source documents and fill in their economic scorecards within their groups.

5. As a group, discuss our findings.

6. Examine a very famous and rare baseball card.

7. Question and answer period.

Objectives

A. Examine historical data from various sources, including museum and library collections, artifacts, primary source documents, oral testimonies and Web sites.

B. Analyze data and interpret variables to compare and contrast their impact on economic trends, consumer prices, standard of living and the value of American currency across different eras.

C. Understand, through dialogue and practical application, how the evolution of baseball coincides with historic events that impact buying power, including the allocation of scarce resources and the four key pricing elements of material, energy, labor and transportation.

Standards Alignment

National Standards

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum proudly presents fun-filled, content-rich experiences for students from pre-K to grade 12. Our field trips are all aligned with Common Core State Standards, and also support other learning goals.

Grades 3-5: CCSS ELA CONTENT: W.3.8/4.8/5.8, SL.3.1/4.1/5.1, SL.3.4/4.4/5.4 - CCSS MATH CONTENT: 3.OA.A1/2, 3.NB.A.2, 4.OA.A.3, 4.NBT.B4/5/6, 5.NBT.B.5/6/7
Grades 6-8: CCSS ELA CONTENT: W.6.9/7.9/8.9, RH.6.1/7.1/8.1, SL.6.1/7.1/8.1, RI.6.7 - CCSS MATH CONTENT: 6.NS.B.3
Grades 9-12: CCSS ELA CONTENT: W.9-10.9/11-12.9, SL.9-10.1/11-12.1, SL.9-10.4/11-12.4