Jim Joyce is voted as MLB's best umpire

Remember when umpire Jim Joyce mistakenly called this play "safe" when it should've been an "out"? Watch this video from the Associated Press to familiarize yourself with the situation.

Unfortunately for Armando Galaraga, his perfect game came up short, due to the mistake made by Jim Joyce. Fans were upset, as were many players.

Now, read this article on ESPN.com and pay close attention to the chart on the left containing the data from a survey, asking the players who the best umpire in the league is, in their opinion. Ironically, even after making such a big mistake, Jim Joyce was STILL voted as the league's best umpire!

Part of our expectations in math are to read, interpret, and draw conclusion from data in charts, graphs, and tables. This is a very important part of our unit in Data Management and Probability.

Think about reasons why Jim Joyce was voted by the players as the best umpire of the league. Cite examples from the article or come up with your own ideas.

Is flying always the best way to travel?

  

It's clear that the biggest benefit of teams flying between cities is that it is the one of the quickest ways to travel. However, there are others who criticize flying.


Read these few articles and think about the questions I have posted below. We will discuss your answers in science class. Remember, in our flight unit, we are expected to discuss the benefits, costs, and factors of flight. So, think critically!

CO2 emissions
BC Lions get stranded in Calgary
1970 Marshall Football Team Plane Crash

What are some cons to flying?
Do you think it is realistic for teams to travel in ways other than flight? What are the alternatives?

Math Games

Math is sports? Really?

For those of you who didn't know, there is a ton of math found in almost every sport. Don't believe me? Check out these websites and play the math-powered sports games. Remember to click on the appropriate skill-level. As a suggestion, start low and work your way up.

Mathletics

Funbrain

Part of our math expectations this season are to solve problems that arise in real-life situations. What better way to solve problems then to do so using sports?

Safety first!

Why do football players wear helmets? What is the main reason for stretching before a game? What does the glass around the rink provide for the fans watching the game?

SAFETY!

Tomorrow in science class, we will be discussing saftey procedures, specifically for outdoor activities and fieldwork. As the weather improves and outdoor activities and fieldwork become more practical, we need to first establish some safety rules and procedures, in order to protect ourselves from the elements.

For those of you in the Boy Scouts, this document should be familiar to you. It's it is the Standard Operating Procedures manual used by the Boy Scouts for camping trips and outdoor activities. Familiarize yourself with the sections pertaining outdoor activities. We will review these areas in class and come up with our own manual.

Another relevant example comes from the LiveStrong website, which is a company owned by cyclist Lance Armstrong. Here, they list safety procedures in sports, most of which will keep us safe on our trips and activities as well.

As a fellow coach named Don Cherry always says in order to ensure safety, "Keep your head up, kid!"

A lot of sports to talk about...

Do you know why I think spring is such a great season?

Hockey playoffs are in full swing and the baseball season is just getting started! What an exciting time to be a sports fan!

I am providing you with a few fun links. Check out NHL Kids, the student-version website of the National Hockey League. MLB Kids is similar but is operated by Major League Baseball. If neither of these leagues fits your taste for sports, SI for Kids runs a great blog, covering every other sport, fit to cover any of your sports-related interests.

Each site offers information on seasons and playoffs, historical facts, fun games, and cool wallpapers. Remember, reading is supposed to be fun. Websites like these that combine your common interests with literacy are a great way to practice reading. The games are educational and the environment is very supportive of learning.

Play ball!

Math Mad Minute

Remember, practice makes perfect!

Here is a link to some Mad Minute Math worksheets, similar to the ones we have done in class. Every now and then, visit the link and test out your skills. Remember to click on the appropriate grade. If possible, have your parents or one of your teammates time you and mark your answers. Or compete against your teammates for ultimate math glory!

If at first you don't suceed, pick yourself up and try it again!

Welcome: "Players" and Parents

Welcome to "Coach" Ricci's Virtual Stadium! Here, you will be able to find team information, helpful links, and resources for our 2010-11 season.

GAME ON!