Jackie Robinson Plays Ball
Jackie Robinson was a boy who loved sports. He ran fast and hit baseballs far.
Baseball is a game played with a bat and a ball. Players hit the ball and run around four bases.
Long ago, baseball had unfair rules. Black players and White players were kept apart.
Black athletes played in their own leagues called the Negro Leagues. Jackie played there and showed his great skill.
Major League teams only had White players back then. Many people knew this rule was wrong.
A team called the Brooklyn Dodgers wanted Jackie to join them. The team leader knew Jackie was brave and talented.
In 1947, Jackie put on his Dodgers uniform. He walked onto the field to play his first game.
Some fans and other players were not kind to him. Jackie stayed calm and worked hard anyway.
He hit the ball hard and stole many bases. Jackie helped the Brooklyn Dodgers win a lot of games.
Jackie Robinson showed everyone that baseball should be for all players.
- bases:
- The places on a baseball field that a player must run to and touch.
- leagues:
- Groups of sports teams that play games against each other.
- talented:
- Having a natural ability to do something very well.
- uniform:
- Matching clothes worn by all players on a team.
- calm:
- Peaceful, quiet, and not getting upset or angry.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What kind of games did Jackie Robinson love as a boy?
- 2How many bases do players run around in baseball?
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About this biography passage for 1st Grade
“Jackie Robinson Plays Ball” is a biography reading passage about Jackie Robinson, written for 1st Grade. It takes about 1 minute to read (169 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.