Baseball is famously known as America's pastime, and today more than 73 million fans attend Major League Baseball games to admire world-class players performing at their best. Little Leagues all across America groom boys to claim spots on MLB teams next to top players from the Dominican Republic, Japan, Venezuela, and Cuba. Softball, commonly known as baseball's sister sport, gained greater participation from young female athletes after the American team brought home the gold in the 2004 Olympics. Because the sports are so similar, baseball and softball athletes benefit from the same exercises, conditioning and nutritional plans that allow them to perform at optimal levels. Every book in the Preparing for Game Day series provides tips from the sport's top players and coaches on how to physically and mentally prepare for your favorite sport. Each title also provides a rundown of the steps you should take to be at your optimal level when it is time to compete. Each title in this series includes color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers are able to reference back to the definitions--building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Videos are offered in chapters through the use of a QR code, that, when scanned, takes the student to an online video showing an instructional or inspirational video relating to the context of the chapter. Text-Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the reader's comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects are provided at the end of each chapter as well and provide readers with suggestions for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. And a Series Glossary of Key Terms is included in the back matter containing terminology used throughout the series. Words found here broaden the reader's knowledge and understanding of terms used in this field

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