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History, Heroes and Hot Dogs: Jackie Robinson Ballpark

By KRISTEN STERNBERG | NIE Educational Consultant

Where's the finest Florida State League baseball stadium? According to an article published recently in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, it's right here in Daytona Beach. Jackie Robinson Ballpark, according to the Daytona Cubs' general manager, is the best place for a game. Soon, the ballpark will undertake a $17.5 million renovation. Games played at the home stadium of the Daytona Cubs are currently attracting record numbers of fans, who will soon be treated to new grandstands and luxury seating!

Baseball legend Cal Ripken Jr. will most likely have a hand in redesigning the historic stadium. Since his retirement from the ball field, Mr. Ripken has been active as a builder and designer, as well as part owner of a minor league team. Funds for the renovations will come from historic preservation agencies, along with contributions from local businesses and individuals. Area administrators are delighted with the involvement of people and agencies, which they say shows the importance of the stadium on a national level.

The proposed renovations include a museum devoted to Jackie Robinson, for whom the ballpark was named, so that others may learn about his important contributions. Jackie Robinson Ballpark is considered a civil rights landmark because of important events that took place in the middle of the 20th century. Mr. Robinson, an African American, was not only an outstanding baseball player but also a pioneer. Because of his race, other cities in Florida refused to allow him to play, City Island Stadium (as the ballpark was once known) did not. In 1946, he became the first African American to play integrate the baseball field. A year later, he broke the color barrier in the major leagues. Before his courageous act, African American ball players had been segregated, or kept apart, in what was known as the "Negro leagues."

Since then, baseball and most other professional sports have been greatly enriched by the talents of African Americans and other minorities. City Island Stadium was renamed Jackie Robinson Ballpark to honor his contributions to baseball as well as to the Civil Rights Movement. By opening the door to integration of professional baseball, Jackie Robinson paved the way for minorities not only in professional sports but also in many other aspects of life. (You can find out much more about Mr. Robinson by following some of the web links provided below.)

Baseball has been called the "Great American Pastime." It's a combination of sports, history, science, math and much more. Attending a baseball game can be a lot of fun. Besides watching baseball games, many kids (and adults, too) follow the progress of their favorite players or teams. If you want to play baseball yourself, opportunities for youths abound. Girls and boys play baseball (or variations such as stickball) informally, in Little League or perhaps at school.

If you want to attend a game, Jackie Robinson Ballpark often holds special events along with, or in addition to, regular Cubs games. For example, "News-Journal Night" occurs on June 15th, 2002. Take a look at some recent events offered at Cubs' games. Check your newspaper routinely for more information about this and other events sponsored by local businesses, through which free or discounted tickets are readily available. If you go, you may also find free giveaways—hats, bats, banners or other items—and there are always plenty of hot dogs to be consumed. Eating hot dogs at the ballpark is almost a tradition!

Be sure to check out the newspaper activities and web links below, too. You'll find some fun activities and great learning opportunities.

Try these interesting activities using The Daytona Beach News-Journal

1. The integration of African Americans into major league baseball was an important event that made newspaper headlines around the country and the world. Scan The News-Journal routinely to find and read about civil rights issues still faced by African Americans today. What issues can you identify? Is the United States truly integrated? Write a short opinion article explaining why you do or do not feel this is so. (Sunshine State Standards: LA.A.1.2.2, LA.A.2.2.2, LA.A.2.2.5, LA.B.1.2.2, LA.B.2.2.1, LA.B.2.2.3, LA.B.2.2.6, LA.D.2.2.1, SS.B.1.2.5, SS.C.1.2.4, SS.C.1.2.5, SS.C.2.2.2, SS.C.2.2.3, SS.C.2.2.4, SS.C.2.2.5)

2. Use The News-Journal or other resources to determine the distance from your home to Jackie Robinson Ballpark? On a map, trace the route you would travel to the stadium. On which road would you travel the farthest distance? Which would be the shortest? (Sunshine State Standards: SS.B.1.2.1)

3. Use The News-Journal to find listings for local, upcoming events in baseball or a sport of your choice. If possible, try to attend an event you are interested in. Make notes about interesting or exciting plays performed during the game. Later, demonstrate (act out) the best plays to a classmate or friend or write a review of the game in the style of a newspaper sports writer. (Sunshine State Standards: LA.A.1.2.2, LA.A.2.2.5, LA.B.2.2.3, LA.B.2.2.6, LA.C.3.2.3, PE.A.1.2.1, PE.A.1.2.3, PE.A.1.2.4, PE.A.1.2.5, PE.A.2.2.1, PE.A.2.2.2, PE.C.2.2.3)

4. How important is math to the game of baseball? Check out The News-Journal's sports pages for baseball statistics. For some math practice, convert your favorite player's batting average or other statistic from a decimal to a fraction. Follow the progress of the team you like best over a period of time. Is the team in an upswing or a downslide? Plot the wins and losses on a chart you devise and show your work to a teacher or parent. (Sunshine State Standards: MA.A.1.2.3, MA.A.1.2.4, MA.A.3.2.2, MA.A.3.2.3, MA.B.3.2.1, MA.D.1.2.1)

5. If you enjoyed newspaper activity #4, you might also have fun helping others realize the importance of math in sports. Make up several math activities using the sports statistics or other information you find in The News-Journal. Ask friends or family members to solve the problems you devised. (Sunshine State Standards: MA.B.1.2.1, MA.B.1.2.2, MA.E.3.2.1)

A copy of Florida's Sunshine State Standards can be found at intech2000.miamisci.org.

Check out these links to learn more

Check out Jackie Robinson: Memory and Legacy, a News-Journal Special Report.

Check out these special presentations about Jackie Robinson, offered by the Library of Congress. Be sure to click on "Baseball, the Color Line and Jackie Robinson," "Robinson's career as a Dodger" and Jackie Robinson's "Civil Rights Activities." memory.loc.gov/ammem/jrhtml/jrhome.html

Learn more about civil rights activities at "Beyond the Playing Field: Jackie Robinson, Civil Rights Advocate." You can examine actual documents containing correspondence between Jackie Robinson and our nation's leaders during the Civil Rights Movement. www.nara.gov/education/teaching/robinson/robmain.html

The New York Times, one of many important newspapers in the nation, offers "Jackie Robinson: A Baseball Celebration." At the site you'll find archival photographs, articles and even audio segments related to the baseball legend. www.nytimes.com/specials/baseball/ronbinson-index.html

Along with Jackie Robinson, Althea Gibson, Jesse Owens and Willie O'Ree are just a few African American sports legends who played an important role in professional sports. Read the stories of these heroes who helped to change the world. www.sikids.com/news/blackhistory/index.html

At the official Jackie Robinson web site, you'll find an interesting biography and other information about the player. www.jackierobinson.com/mainside.html

How much do you know about the Daytona Cubs? Check out news, scheduling, ticket and stadium information, statistics and box scores, and plenty of activities and links about this ball team. www.daytonacubs.com

The National Baseball Hall of Fame contains statistics, information and memorabilia about Jackie Robinson and many other baseball greats. Online exhibits include rebroadcasts of classic World Series games, along with photographs from the National Baseball Hall of Fame Photo Contest (why not think about entering the contest yourself?). You'll also find some fun games and activities relating to baseball. www.baseballhalloffame.org/exhibits/online_exhibits/index.htm

Learners Online offers a fun site called "Baseball Across the Curriculum," where you'll find links to "Baseball 101," the "Science of Baseball" and "Tools of the Trade," for a start. Continue on to try your skills as a "Scientific Slugger" or to check out "Fastball Reaction Time. There are also links to baseball history and more. www.learnersonline.com/lessons/archive99/week42/index.htm

To explore the science of baseball and other sports as skiing, skating, football and soccer, check out the Sport Science section of nieworld.com.

The Newspaper Association of America's web site contains links to many newspapers in the U.S. and around the world, which may contain additional news stories about this topic. To access the newspapers at the site, select a state. Click on the "Internationals" button to view choices from other countries.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal NIE Program, published April 29, 2002

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