Directions Read the passage again. Then you will be asked to write about the passage.

Let’s Play Ball!

1 “Let’s Play Ball!” This is a popular phrase that we hear during baseball season. “Let’s Play Ball!” means it is time to start the baseball game. During the spring, the game of baseball begins for the United States. During this season, fans save up money to buy tickets to see their favorite teams win. People around the United States, who watch this game, are considered fans. Most fans root for the team that comes from their hometown state. However, some states, like New York have two teams. This gets tricky for people to choose which team they should root for.

2 The New York Yankees have been playing since 1913. They are a Major League Baseball team that plays for the American League East division. They are known as the Bronx Bombers. However, they weren’t always called the New York Yankees or Bronx Bombers. Two men, named Frank Farrell and Bill Devery, bought the team in 1903 and named them the New York Highlanders. In 1913, they changed the name to the “Yankees.” The Yankees proved to be a successful team. They won 27 World Series championships. Great players like Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra and Derek Jeter played for the New York Yankees.

3 People can also root for another New York based team called the New York Mets. The New York Mets have been playing since 1962. Unlike the Yankees, the Mets play for the National League East division. Also, they were not as successful as the Yankees in winning the World Series championship. The Mets have only won two World Series championships since 1962. The first championship won was in 1969 against the Baltimore Orioles. During this time, they were known as the “Miracle Mets.” Then in 1986, the team won again. This time, they won against the Boston Red Sox. Great players like Tom Seaver, Keith Hernandez, Gary Carter, and Mike Piazza played for the New York Mets.

4 In the year 2000, the New York Yankees and the New York Mets played against each other in the World Series. Many people were struggling to make a decision on which team they should root for. At this time, many people had to stick with one decision. They had to either root for the Yankees or Mets. In the end, the New York Mets lost that series.

5 So, the next time you hear the phrase, “Let’s Play Ball!” You will know that a baseball game is about to begin. If you’re lucky to be in the stadium, you may even catch a homerun ball.

Now read the directions below.

Think about the similarities and differences of both baseball teams in the passage. Which New York team would you root for? What are some reasons why you would root for this team? Write at least two paragraphs to explain which team you would root for and why. Use information from the passage and your own ideas to support your response.

NYSESLAT Test Prep 2015 Grades 5-6 Adapted by Mrs. Kondel, ESL Teacher/Passage written by Miss Sunshine

Go On

NYSESLAT Test Prep 2015 Grades 5-6 Adapted by Mrs. Kondel, ESL Teacher/Story written by Miss Sunshine

NYSESLAT Test Prep 2015 Grades 5-6 Adapted by Mrs. Kondel, ESL Teacher/Story written by Miss Sunshine