On May 11, 2013 Raley Field was once again filled with energetic players and cheering fans, but the action was academic instead of athletic. Region 3s Second Annual Fantasy Baseball Math Tournament was held at the minor league ballpark of the Sacramento River Cats.
The 2013 Fantasy Baseball Math Tournament was sponsored by the City of Sacramento Department of Parks and Recreation, Elk Grove Unified School District, Folsom Cordova Unified School District, PSAApparel, Raley Field, Sacramento City Unified School District, SacramentoCounty Office of Education, Sacramento START, Subway, Twin Rivers UnifiedSchool District, West Sacramento Parks, and Wilson Trophy Company.
Tony Asaro, Director of Community Relations for the River Cats fired up the crowd with a motivational speech before the tournament began. Then a recorded version of the National Anthem played over the loud speaker, as the children and their families saluted the flag. Once the pomp and circumstance was over it was time to play ball; fantasy baseball.
The exciting tournament featured 32 teams of fourth to eighth grade students representing school districts from the Sacramento area. In the competition, students used statistics from specially designed baseball cards to analyze data, compare players, complete circle graphs, and ultimately play simulated baseball games where they may even lead their team to a Fantasy Baseball World Series Championship.
The event was an end of the year activity for students who have participated in after-school
programs. At the end of the challenging competition, the following team finished a perfect 9-0
in the tournament and was crowned Fantasy Baseball Champion of 2013:
The following schools after school programs participated in the 2nd Annual Fantasy Baseball Math Tournament:
- Elk Grove Unified School District: David Reese Elementary School; Edward Harris Jr. Middle School
- Folsom Cordova Unified School District: Cordova Gardens Elementary School; Cordova Villa Elementary School; Mills Middle School; Mitchell Middle School; Rancho Cordova Elementary School; White Rock Elementary School; Williamson Elementary School
- Sacramento City Unified School District: California Middle School; Golden Empire Elementary School; John Still K-8; Sam Brannan Middle School
- Twin Rivers Unified School District: MLK Jr. Technology Academy; Rio Linda Prep.
- Washington Unified School District: Elkhorn Village School; Stonegate School; Westmore Oaks School
For more coverage on the second annual fantasy baseball tournament, please checkout Sacramento City Unified School District's story on the tournament.
If your after school site is interested in participating in the 3rd Annual Fantasy Baseball Tournament please email Brian Fitzgerald at BFitzgerald@cityofsacramento.org. League activities start in the Fall of 2013.
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| Entrance to Raley Field |
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| Championship Trophy at Raley Field |
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Play Ball! |
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| Tournament Time!!! |
I recommend a book by Jim West called Libellus de Numeros (The Book of Math) that my 11-year-old daughter just finished reading. The story is about Alex, a young precocious girl, who mysteriously gets transported to a strange world where Latin and Math combine in formulas and equations with magical effects. With a cruel council leading the only safe city of its kind in this world, she will have to prove her worth to stay as well as help this city as it is the target for two evil wizards who seek to destroy the city and its ruling council. To help the city and also get back home, she will need the help of the greatest mathematician of all time, Archimedes. In a world where math is magic, Alex wishes she paid more attention in math class.
ReplyDeleteA Goodread 5-star review said:
"The storyline inspires a hunger for knowledge and a 'can do' attitude - a strong message of empowerment for young readers. I’m sure that this book will be interesting to read for both, boys and girls, as well as adult readers. Libellus de Numeros means 'Book of Numbers' and it's a magical textbook in the story. Math and science are wonderfully incorporated into a captivating plot: Latin and math are presented as exciting tools to make 'magic' and while Latin is often used as a language of magic the addition of math is definitely a fresh approach.
"The main heroine Alex is a very relatable character for young people, especially girls. I love that she has her flaws and goes through struggles all too familiar to a lot of young people. Alex is an authentic female role model - a very courageous girl, who is not afraid to stand up for herself and others and who is able to learn fast how to use knowledge to her best advantage.
"She can definitely do everything that boys can and I find this to be a very powerful message that is needed in our modern society. Furthermore, it was a pleasure to read through the pages of a well-formatted eBook. Highly recommended!"