Podcast #193 - Visit to the Museum of Nebraska Major League Baseball in St. Paul, Nebraska

Hello. I'm a native of Nebraska, enjoy baseball and love museums so I was very excited to visit the Nebraska Major League Baseball Museum in St. Paul, Nebraska on a recent family trip. The museum honors all major league players with a tie to Nebraska - born in Nebraska or called Nebraska home with a residence. There are about 160 major league baseball players who have met these requirements - 7 of which are in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Some of the more famous Nebraskans to play major league baseball include Grover Cleveland Alexander, Richie Ashburn, Bob Gibson and Sam Crawford. The museum is located in St. Paul, Nebraska because it is the proud hometown of Cleveland - the pitcher in 3rd place for wins all time in major league baseball history.

Listen to the podcast to learn more about my experience at the Nebraska Baseball Museum and check out the pictures below from my trip. We had a great time and encourage anyone who loves baseball to visit St. Paul for a great experience. If you have visited the museum or would have a remark to share please leave a comment on this blog post. Thanks.

Direct link to Podcast #193 - Visit to Nebraska Major League Baseball Museum in St. Paul

Podcast #148 - Throwing Out The First Pitch at Royals / Cardinals Game

This past week I was able to fulfill a lifetime dream - throwing out the first pitch at a major league game. As the 2007/2008 Missouri Teacher of the Year I was asked to throw out the first pitch at the June 18th Kansas City Royals - St. Louis Cardinals game at Busch Stadium.

Boeing - the primary sponsor for the Missouri Teacher of the Year Program - made the event possible. It was an incredible experience that I was able to share with my dad and my brother. My dad actually caught the first pitch with the Bob Feller glove he had as a child in the late 1940's.

In the podcast I describe the event - which also included a TV interview on the pre-game show, a radio interview in the 4th inning on the Cardinals radio network, a tour of the video control center for Busch Stadium and watching the game from the Best Buy suite. I have included video of the first pitch - which has been posted on You Tube and a goofy pregame interview my brother did with my dad and I.

Direct link to Speaking of History #148 - Throwing Out the First Pitch at the Royals / Cardinals Game - MP3 Audio File - 10:05 Minutes

Podcast #86 - Play Ball! : Baseball in the Curriculum

Hello. I had my last day of school last week so it's time to think about summer and recharging the batteries. Personally, there's no better way to relax than heading out to the ballpark and watching a baseball game. So today we're talking about baseball and how it can be used in the classroom. This podcast is also special because my 3 year old daughter does the introduction and shows off her singing voice.

We start with a great book to add to your summer reading list "The Soul of Baseball - A Road Trip Through Buck O'Neil's America" by Joe Posnanski. You don't have to be a baseball fan to enjoy this uplifting book. I bought it on a Saturday morning and finished it by Monday. It is a must read. It will make you cry, laugh and just make you feel good.

The next item is a great find from the Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Missouri. A couple of weeks ago I attended an event at the Truman Library and as I left through the gift shop I noticed a folder for sale marked "Presidents and America's Pastime - A Selection of Baseball Documents from the Presidential Libraries". For $10 you get full color scans on quality paper from 12 presidents relating to the topic of baseball. There are a variety of uses for this resource in the classroom.

The Baseball Hall of Fame has numerous educational resources available for teachers. The Hall of Fame has created thematic units on the following topics: geography, math, leadership, science, pop culture, civil rights, special abilities, cultural diversity, communication arts, economics, character education, fine arts, labor history, women's history and industrial technology. The Hall of Fame also has opportunities for video conferencing, electronic field trips, a podcast and a "Baseball in the Classroom Blog". Check it out if you can't take your class to Copperstown.

If you enjoy baseball you must check out the "Baseball History Podcast" from Bob Wright. This great podcast has been produced on a regular basis for the past two years and discusses this week in baseball history, biographies of players and famous figures in baseball and various tidbits about baseball. Also check out the interview with Bob Wright on the Podcast 411 podcast.

If you have any comments about the Speaking of History podcast please leave a comment to this post or e-mail me at speakingofhistory@gmail.com

Subscribe directly to the Speaking of History podcast through i-Tunes here.

Direct link to Podcast #86 - Play Ball! : Baseball in the Curriculum - MP3 Format - 16:21 minutes

Show Notes for Podcast #86:

- The Soul of Baseball - A Road Trip Through Buck O'Neil's America by Joe Posnanski

- Truman Library Gift Shop - ask to purchase the "Presidents and America's Pastime - A Selection of Baseball Documents from the Presidential Libraries" folder

- Baseball Hall of Fame - Education

- Baseball in the Classroom Blog

- Baseball History Podcast from Bob Wright

- Podcast 411 Interview with Bob Wright about the Baseball History podcast