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00:00Help all kids learn and grow with PBS Kids.
00:03Thank you for supporting your PBS station.
00:30Friends to know and ways to grow.
00:33A written rainbow.
00:36I can be anything.
00:42Take a look.
00:44It's in a book.
00:45A written rainbow.
00:48Written rainbow.
01:00I got it.
01:17I got it.
01:20Oops.
01:21I guess I don't.
01:23I feel like I can do some practice.
01:24Hi, and welcome to spring training with the American League champion, Oakland Athletics.
01:32Here in Scottsdale, Arizona, the A's are getting into shape for the upcoming baseball season.
01:38You know, everyone loves baseball, but not everybody is a major league ball player.
01:44And today, we're invited to spring training to get some tips from the pros.
01:49And I think I know of the perfect place to start.
02:24It's hard work getting in shape for the season.
02:35And each and every player does it so he can contribute to the team.
02:39But every team seems to have a star.
02:43You know, the hero who inspires them to win the big game.
02:45Like, well, like Bob.
02:49In this baseball tale, Dinosaur Bob and his adventures with the family Lazardo.
02:55Dinosaur Bob and his adventures with the family Lazardo.
03:04Every year before the start of the baseball season, the Lazardo family took a trip far from their home in Pimlico Hills.
03:22One afternoon, while on safari in Africa, young Scotty found a dinosaur.
03:30He looks kind of like my Uncle Bob, said Mrs. Lazardo.
03:35Scotty patted the dinosaur on the nose.
03:39Bob?
03:39He tried.
03:40The dinosaur smiled and wagged his giant tail.
03:45So, they named him Bob.
03:48With Bob along, safari life was fun.
03:53Swimming in the morning.
03:55And games of baseball in the afternoons.
03:58When it came time to start for home, the Lazardos invited Bob to come with them.
04:04The journey back was grand.
04:09For part of the trip, they made Bob into a ship and steered him down the Nile River.
04:17Then, Dr. Lazardo booked passage on a luxury liner.
04:22It was a wonderful voyage.
04:25Passengers danced the conga up and down Bob's back.
04:29And every evening, the children brought Bob a little bedtime snack.
04:38Four hundred double Dutch chocolate cakes.
04:47When the ship reached New York City, the Lazardos caught a train to Pimlico Hills.
04:55It was Bob's first train ride.
04:58Reporters flocked to the Lazardo house.
05:02Are you going to keep him?
05:03Cameras flashed.
05:05What does he eat?
05:06Lengthy lizard lands with Lazardos, read the headline in the paper.
05:13Bob was famous.
05:18The next day, Bob and the Lazardos played some baseball in the backyard.
05:24Bob was terrific.
05:26He could play right and left field at the same time.
05:31Don't get it, Bob.
05:33The Pimlico Pirates watched Bob play.
05:37The Pirates had never won a game.
05:41They were the worst team in history.
05:45But everyone in town loved them and went to all their games.
05:49I wish the big guy in green could play for us, said one of the pirates.
05:56The following morning, Bob joined some neighborhood dogs chasing cars.
06:04He was arrested by a policeman for disturbing the peace.
06:08Put that car down.
06:09The Lazardos rushed to get Bob out of prison.
06:12But the chief of police wouldn't let him go.
06:16He said, we can't have dinosaurs running wild in the streets.
06:21We'll be sending them back to Africa in the morning.
06:23That night, no one at the Lazardos' house could sleep.
06:31Suddenly, Dr. Lazardo jumped up and ran out the door.
06:37Soon, the doctor returned with the Pimlico Pirates.
06:41Come on, he whispered.
06:45I think I know how to save Bob.
06:48Bob's escape made headlines the following morning.
06:53Lazardos and Lizard on the lam.
06:56Cops confused.
06:59The people of Pimlico Hills weren't worried.
07:02They were too busy thinking about the Pirates' opening game,
07:06which was that afternoon.
07:07As the stadium filled,
07:11no one noticed a large bump in the outfield.
07:18The team began to run out onto the baseball diamond
07:21as the announcer called their names.
07:25When the last of the team was called,
07:28the announcer shouted,
07:30And now the newest Pimlico Pirate!
07:37Dinosaur Bob!
07:42The crowd roared!
07:49Bob smiled his big dinosaur grin,
07:53and the game began.
07:56The game was close.
08:00The Pirates needed just one run to win
08:03when Dinosaur Bob stepped up the bat.
08:09He swung with all his might.
08:13Crack!
08:15The ball went up and up,
08:19clear out of the stadium,
08:22and out of sight!
08:24Bob rounded the bases,
08:27and touched his nose to home plate.
08:33The Pimlico Pirates had won the game!
08:37Everyone cheered Bob.
08:41The chief of police cheered the loudest.
08:44Way to go, Bob!
08:45Bob was a hero.
08:50That evening,
08:51Bob and the Lizardos celebrated
08:53by having a party in the backyard.
08:56Here's to Bob,
08:59said Doctor and Mrs. Lizardo.
09:02The best ball player,
09:04the best pal,
09:05and the best dinosaur a family ever had,
09:08shouted Scotty.
09:10And they all sang and danced
09:13late into the summer night.
09:15I think Dinosaur Bob
09:25might have some trouble
09:26fitting into the batting cage.
09:27But it's no problem
09:28for the sluggers on the A's,
09:30and they're almost as powerful.
09:32This team is known
09:33for its great hitters.
09:34Canseco,
09:36McGuire,
09:38Parker,
09:39and a whole lineup of bashers.
09:42Nice play, Dag.
09:43It takes a lot of hard work
09:46and concentration
09:47to be a great hitter.
09:50Here at spring training,
09:51coaches use all kinds of techniques
09:53to strengthen the hitter's swing.
09:56There you go, buddy.
09:57The bats are heavy and can slip,
09:59so the players rub on pine tar
10:01to improve their grip.
10:02Makes it kind of sticky.
10:06And then it's just practice
10:08and more practice.
10:13Hitting instructor Merv Rettenman
10:16works one-on-one with players.
10:19Very nice.
10:20You have some ground balls?
10:21Okay.
10:22And the weight
10:23on the balls of the feet?
10:24When it was my turn,
10:25Merv offered me some tips.
10:28Then rock the bat.
10:29Rock the bat.
10:30Wherever it comes up.
10:31Uh-huh.
10:32Relax position.
10:34Okay, so I've got my balance
10:35and relaxed position, right?
10:37The bat is off my shoulder
10:38and it's real comfortable up here.
10:40What about the swing?
10:41The swing is more like a cast.
10:43Uh-huh.
10:43And the first thing you have to do
10:45is go back with it
10:46and push the bat.
10:48So it's more of just pushing
10:49the hands forward, huh?
10:50Exactly right.
10:50Okay, you think I'm ready?
10:52For sure.
10:52All right.
10:56Feet a little wider than shoulders.
10:59Weight on the balls of the feet.
11:02Relax on the knees.
11:05Just rock the bat a few times.
11:10And...
11:11Yeah.
11:16Woo!
11:16It feels great to make contact with the ball,
11:19but when the Olten A's get a hold of one,
11:20it's going, going, gone.
11:23It's going, going, gone.
11:50The game really starts
11:55right here on the pitcher's mound
11:57because when the umpire says,
11:59play ball,
12:00he's telling the pitcher
12:01to deliver that first pitch.
12:03Now, this is Dave Stewart,
12:05one of the best pitchers in baseball.
12:07And here's one of Dave's trademarks,
12:10getting the big strikeout
12:11when it really counts.
12:13So, Dave, I know you're a guy
12:19that has a lot of pitches
12:20and how you hold the ball
12:22affects how the ball travels,
12:24doesn't it?
12:25Of course.
12:25So, how do you hold the ball
12:27when you pitch?
12:27Well, you got...
12:28I've got three different pitches.
12:29I throw a fork ball,
12:32which, to me,
12:32has been the success of Dave Stewart.
12:34The fork ball,
12:36it's a pitch that's held right here
12:37across these two seams.
12:39Dave's fork ball is hard to hit.
12:42It fools the batter.
12:43He thinks it's coming right at him.
12:45And then it drops
12:46just before reaching the catcher's mitt.
12:50For a fastball,
12:51you'd use it right across this seam right here.
12:54Fingers close together.
12:55Fingers close together.
12:56I would say that the curve ball
12:58is a pitch that you can do without
13:01until you're about 16, 17 years old
13:04once your muscles are strong
13:05and you're able to throw it.
13:07Watch how Dave's curve ball arcs
13:09as it spins toward the plate.
13:13Yes.
13:16That's great.
13:17But now tell me,
13:18what happens if, say,
13:19the batter gets the best of you
13:20in a pitching situation?
13:22That's why we got the other eight guys out there.
13:24Let them take it over.
13:25The infield and the outfield, huh?
13:26Infielders, I hope.
13:27And here are the glove men for the A's.
13:34They can always be counted on
13:36to make the big plays.
13:38There are important members of every team
14:02that you don't see on the field.
14:03the fans.
14:06Now, the fans don't get any special instruction
14:08from the experts.
14:09So, here's a little spring training
14:12that'll help you get in shape
14:14as the perfect baseball fan.
14:16The perfect baseball fan.
14:24In the good old days,
14:25enthusiastic baseball fans
14:27packed stadiums across America.
14:30Fans got a special treat
14:32when their favorite slugger blasted one.
14:36Today's fans rush through the stadium turnstiles
14:39with the same enthusiasm.
14:42Modern cheering styles
14:44are an important part of fan etiquette.
14:48There's that hanky cheer.
14:51Dancing at the dugout.
14:54You might want to bring along
14:57special cheering equipment.
14:58And don't forget to bring your camera
15:03for a picture-perfect day.
15:08A good fan must always eat at the park
15:12to keep up his cheering strength.
15:18Fresh milk is now available at some parks.
15:21Whether it's a day game
15:24or a night game,
15:26be prepared for some unexpected surprises.
15:31The observant fan
15:33always appreciates the fine art of fielding.
15:45Finally, fans,
15:47don't go home
15:48until your hero hits a home run.
15:50Just for you.
15:58Whether you're a ball player
15:59or a fan,
16:00there's nothing like the electricity
16:02and the excitement you feel
16:04on the day of the game.
16:05And it really doesn't matter
16:06what kind of game it is.
16:08Or
16:09who's playing.
16:13Welcome to the Reading Rainbow
16:15Pony Softball Classic.
16:17It's the 78th Precinct Bomber
16:19wearing the dark red uniforms
16:21versus the Bergen Beach Bengals
16:23in green and white.
16:25Hi, everybody.
16:26This is Steve Albert,
16:27and we're here today
16:28in Brooklyn, New York
16:29to bring you all of the action.
16:30It's turned out to be
16:31a beautiful day for softball,
16:33so right now,
16:34let's go down to the field
16:35and meet some of the key players
16:37in today's game.
16:39Oh, my God.
16:39Suzanne,
16:40this is a big game for you.
16:42How are you feeling?
16:43I'm really nervous
16:44because
16:45they pitch pretty fast
16:47and they know
16:47what they're doing there.
16:48They're a good team.
16:50Stephanie,
16:51what's your strategy for today?
16:52I'm going to get a lot of hits
16:54and I strike out.
16:57Now,
16:57let's hear from the Bombers.
16:59Anna,
16:59what's your game plan?
17:01I'm pitching today's game
17:02and I plan to get strikeouts.
17:04Corey,
17:05how do you see today's outcome?
17:06I think we're going to win
17:08because we have a strong team
17:09in the field
17:10and at bat.
17:12And
17:13I'm just hoping
17:14that the pitchers
17:15can come through.
17:16Thanks very much
17:17and have a good game.
17:18Well,
17:19it looks like
17:19they're getting ready
17:20to come out of the dugout.
17:21So let's go back down
17:22to the field.
17:26Bombers up.
17:27Chris Rennie at the plate.
17:28It's a shot to the outfield.
17:30Looks like an exciting game ahead.
17:33Third inning.
17:34Still no score.
17:36Bengals are up.
17:36And threatening.
17:38Lisa land at the plate.
17:40It's a hit.
17:41Lisa hustles
17:42to first base.
17:43She's safe.
17:45The runner scores.
17:461-0 Bengals.
17:48And there's a high five.
17:50The bases are loaded
17:51and Melanie Cross
17:52is at the plate.
17:53She smashes it
17:54through the infield.
17:55She's headed to first base.
17:57She's safe.
17:58And Dina comes home
17:59to make it 2-0 Bengals.
18:01This could be a big inning
18:02for the green and white.
18:03And we're on action.
18:05A-T-T.
18:06Bases are loaded.
18:09Two out.
18:10Jerry Morata up.
18:11She pops it up.
18:13That is out.
18:15That's out number three.
18:17And the inning is over.
18:19Earlier,
18:20Leah Ellis talked to us
18:21about the strength
18:21of the Bengals team.
18:23They're a good team.
18:25I know we were the first
18:27team to beat them.
18:28And I think
18:30it'll be a good game.
18:33Well, it's the fifth inning.
18:342-0 Bengals.
18:35But the Bombers are rallying
18:37with runners on every base.
18:39Allie Gunzowski up.
18:40A dribbler to the pitcher.
18:42A race to home plate.
18:43She's safe.
18:45The Bombers are on the scoreboard.
18:47It's now 2-1.
18:48The Bomber dugout
18:50and the crowd
18:51come alive.
18:53Mary Kenny steps up.
18:54It's a ground ball to first.
18:56And she's
18:57out at first.
18:59But another run scores.
19:00It's 2-2.
19:01We have a tie
19:02in our hands.
19:02It's the sixth inning.
19:06Still not at a 2.
19:07The Bengals need some runs.
19:09Stephanie Gugliero
19:10spoke with us
19:11about the Bengals' offense.
19:12We're not going to swing
19:13at the bad pitches.
19:16And we're going to hit good.
19:18Well, now's the time.
19:19Two runners on
19:20and Suzanne Gervasi at bat.
19:22Pitcher Anna Diaz
19:24is struggling.
19:25She sets and delivers.
19:28It's a wild pitch.
19:29Suzanne walks to first
19:31to load up the bases.
19:33And Anna Diaz
19:35is in a tough spot here.
19:36She's really upset.
19:39The coaches are giving her support
19:40from the dugout.
19:42Looks like she's ready.
19:43And the pitch.
19:45It's a slow grounder to first.
19:47The play is at home plate.
19:48Here's the throw.
19:49And she's out.
19:51Great play
19:51by catcher Corey Simpson.
19:53Let's take another look.
19:55A fine play.
19:56And earlier,
19:57we spoke with Corey
19:58about her defense.
19:59Well, I want to throw
20:00a couple of runners out
20:01at first, second,
20:01maybe third.
20:03And try and hold on
20:05to the ball
20:05if there's a play at home.
20:08A good prediction, Corey,
20:10as she gets the Bombers
20:11out of a jam.
20:12It's the final inning now
20:14and the last chance
20:15for the Bombers
20:16to break the tie.
20:17Pitcher Anna Diaz
20:18is up at bat.
20:20And she rips it.
20:22It's way out there.
20:23It's going to be extra bases.
20:25She's digging hard,
20:27rounding second,
20:28and motoring the third.
20:29Can she score?
20:31Here comes the play
20:32at the plate.
20:33And she's safe.
20:35A home run
20:36for Anna Diaz
20:37and the Bombers win.
20:39What a finish.
20:41So this game is history.
20:44The score,
20:44Bombers three,
20:46Bengals two.
20:47Let's go down to the field
20:48for some postgame reactions.
20:50Anna, you had an interesting day
20:51because I noticed
20:52you were very upset
20:53on the mound at one point,
20:54yet you came back strong
20:56and you hit a home run.
20:57How did you feel
20:57about your day?
20:59I felt great
21:00hitting that home run.
21:01When you hit that home run,
21:03did you know
21:04as soon as it left the bat
21:05that it was gone?
21:07Yeah, I did.
21:08Yeah?
21:08Good feel to it?
21:09Yeah.
21:10Did you ever think
21:12in your wild...
21:13You got your support too, huh?
21:14Did you ever think
21:15in your wildest dreams
21:16that you'd be
21:17the winning pitcher
21:18and you'd hit a home run
21:20the same day?
21:20I don't know.
21:21I was just so excited
21:22I kept on running.
21:24Well, we've seen
21:24some powerful hitting
21:26and strong fielding
21:28here today.
21:29It's been a fast-paced game
21:30that went down to the wire.
21:32Final score,
21:333-2 Bombers.
21:34Hope you enjoyed it.
21:36This is Steve Albert
21:37from Brooklyn, New York
21:38saying so long, everybody.
21:44Years from now,
21:45these ballplayers
21:46will tell great tales
21:47about the games
21:48they've played in.
21:50You know,
21:50almost everyone
21:51has their favorite
21:52baseball story.
21:53And the more you tell it,
21:54the better it gets.
21:55So, here are three
21:57that you'll want
21:58to get your mitts on.
21:59But, you don't have
22:01to take my word for it.
22:03Hi, my name's Gideon.
22:05They always tell you
22:06to keep your eye
22:07on the ball.
22:08But what happens
22:09if you're too afraid?
22:10You can find out
22:11in this book called
22:13Ronald Morgan Goes to Bat.
22:15This book is about
22:16a boy named Ronald
22:18who has great team spirit
22:19but no confidence
22:20in himself.
22:21When he gets up to bat,
22:24he can't even hold
22:25the bat properly.
22:27When he runs the bases,
22:28he goes the wrong way.
22:31His teammates laugh at him,
22:33but Ronald keeps on trying.
22:36This is a great book
22:38whether you like baseball,
22:40a story with a happy ending,
22:42or both.
22:43So, this is Gideon Elliot
22:44guaranteeing you
22:45a home run with this book.
22:48Do you like baseball?
22:49I do.
22:50And I love baseball stories.
22:53Here's some funny ones
22:54called Old Turtles Baseball Stories.
22:58Each story's about
23:00an unusual ball player.
23:02My favorite was the octopus.
23:04It's really funny.
23:08It's a badden octopus
23:09who throws too many balls.
23:13Guess why?
23:15I'm Katrina,
23:16and if you like baseball
23:17as much as I do,
23:19and you can't get to the ballpark
23:20because it's the wrong season,
23:22just go to your nearest library
23:24and catch this book.
23:27Hi, my name is Nicole.
23:31Would you like to read a poem
23:33about baseball?
23:34I just did.
23:36It's called Casey at the Bat,
23:38and boy, is it exciting.
23:41The poem is about
23:42a baseball player named Casey
23:44who's the hero of all the fans.
23:48His team is losing
23:50when Casey comes to bat,
23:52and everyone expects him
23:54to win the game.
23:55Casey thinks he's so brilliant.
23:58He lets the first pitch go by.
24:01That ain't my style, says Casey.
24:05Casey ignores the second pitch,
24:08and the fans say,
24:09Kill the umpire!
24:11When the umpire calls,
24:13Strike two!
24:16Wanna know what happens?
24:18I'll read it to you.
24:20Oh, somewhere in this favorite land
24:23the sun is shining bright.
24:25The band is playing somewhere,
24:28and somewhere hearts are light.
24:30And somewhere men are laughing,
24:33and somewhere children shout.
24:35But there is no joy in Mudville,
24:38mighty Casey has struck out.
24:40Baseball is such a great game.
24:46Whether you're a little leaguer
24:47or a major leaguer,
24:48whether you're a fan
24:49in a big city stadium
24:51or your own neighborhood park,
24:52when spring fever sets in across America,
24:55it's time to play ball.
24:58Take care, LeVar.
24:59Hey, thanks, guys.
25:00Have a great season, huh?
25:01Take care.
25:03The A's will be leaving soon
25:04to start their season,
25:04and I almost wish I could go with them
25:06to play one game.
25:10I could just imagine
25:11what it would be like.
25:17LeVar Burton steps up to the plate.
25:20Bottom of the ninth.
25:21Score tied.
25:22Two out.
25:22The count is three and two
25:23with the World Series
25:25in LeVar's hands.
25:26He swings,
25:27and there's a long drive
25:29to deep center field.
25:31It's way back.
25:33It's done.
25:34A home run.
25:35And LeVar Burton
25:36wins the World Series
25:38for the opening.
25:46Unbelievable.
25:47A dream come true.
25:57I'll see you next time.
25:59I'll see you next time.