Mama Played Baseball

While her dad is away fighting in WWII, Amy's mama must find a job to support her family. Amy isn't sure what to think when mama says she's going to try out for a baseball team. Even though baseball seems like more of a hobby than a job to her, Amy continues to help mama practice for try outs. Amy's mama ends up making the team and becomes a star player! Thinking she's going to an away game, mama surprises Amy by taking her to the train station to pick up her dad who is coming home from the war. After a welcome home party, Amy gives her family pictures she drew of mama playing baseball, and everyone is so proud of her accomplishments.
This story has the potential to spark some interesting conversations about gender roles in the 1940s. show more During this time, the formation of a professional women's baseball team was unprecedented. Although, one thing that stuck out to me while reading the book was the uniform the team was given, which was essentially a dress. Today, it makes me laugh thinking of how ridiculous it was that they had to play baseball in dresses because they were women. It just shows that even though the creation of this team was a stride in the right direction, there were still so many more gender roles to break through in the future. show less

In 1943 the All-American Girls' Professional Baseball League was formed from the wives of many of the soldiers during the second world war for the enjoyment of the people at home while Major League Baseball was put on hold. David A. Adler illustrates this event in his picture book of historical fiction.

Told from the point of view of one of a daughter of one of the female players, the plot begins with a game of catch in the front yard between a mother and a daughter. Richly illustrated and delicately portrayed, the historical fiction is deeply embedded in the story, making it a thoroughly enjoyable read for any age.

Themes: All-American Girls' Professional Baseball League, World War II, American History.

Mama and Amy had a strong bond since Amy's dad was away fighting in World War II. They would always play baseball together, so Mama decided to get a job playing baseball. While the men were away at work, the women had to work to support their families. This story was touching because Amy realized that her Mama didn't have to work as a milk delivery like her dad, but that baseball could be a job as well.

Set during World War II, this book follows the life of a child whose father is away at war. Her mother decides that she needs to get a job while her husband is away, and she sets her sights on becoming a baseball player in the women’s league. Many of the men’s baseball players were away at war, so women’s leagues were created for entertainment during the war. The young girl helps her mom prepare for the baseball tryouts, and her mom makes the team! The young girl goes to home games with her grandparents to watch her mom play, and she enjoys every second of it! One day, her mother takes her to the train station and the girl is elated to see her father get off the train; he is back from the war!
I think this is a great book for show more students to read. Many students have a mother, father, or other family member in the military who is away from home. This book shows students in that situation that they are not alone. I also think this book would be a great way to introduce a history lesson on World War II to younger students. Bringing a book into a social studies lesson fits in well with the idea of interdisciplinary connections and gives students a break from traditional social studies instruction. show less

"Mama Played Baseball" is a historically accurate, but slightly challenging picture book. I enjoyed the fact that the author based the story firmly on historical fact of somewhat modern times. The author explains the similarities between this story and history, explaining that Mama played for the All-American Girls' Professional Baseball League, which was a real baseball league that formed in 1943 and disbanded in 1954. The illustrations use light to add a strong sense of realism and depth to each illustration. This book aims to teach readers that women are easily capable of doing "male" things; society and members of society need to give them a chance.

Amy's dad is away fighting for his country in the army and Mama needs a job while dad's away. Mama needs Amy's help practicing baseball because she hopes to get a job playing in the women's league. Grandpa, grandma, Mama and Amy all went in grandpa's car to the baseball stadium. A man hit a ball with a bat to each woman. If a woman missed the ball, the man said thank you and pointed to a gate. That meant that the woman didn't make the team. When it was Mama's turn, the man hit the ball over her head, but just as she did when they practiced, she jumped and caught it. Mama caught the ball each time. Then, the man pitched the ball to the woman who were left on the field. When it was Mama's turn, she missed the first two balls. She hit the show more next ball on the ground right back to the man, but it wasn't a good hit. Fortunately, the man told Mama to come back the next day. Mama got the job. They had a party to celebrate Mama's new job. As Grandpa, grandma, Mama, and Amy ate dinner, they listened to the news on the war on the radio. The next week was Mama's first game, which grandpa and grandma took Amy to watch. As Mama played baseball in the field, Amy mimicked her, following every move Mama made. They attended lots of Mama's games, but only the one's that were nearby. For the away games, Mama traveled with her team by bus. While Mama was at her away games, Amy stayed home and drew pictures. She loved drawing after each game. Mama and Amy practiced together whenever they could. One fall morning, Mama put her uniform on and told Amy that she had a surprise for her. Amy asked her Mama if grandpa and grandma were going to the game, but her Mama said No just you and me and were going to the bus station. Amy asked questions, confused as to what was going on. Her Mama smiled and said nothing. As they arrived at the bus station, a bus stopped and a lot of people got off; some who were soldiers. Then, Amy saw him. Her dad got off the bus. Mama and Amy ran to him, hugging and kissing him. After celebrating Amy's fathers homecoming, Amy took her dad's hand and told him she had a surprise for him. She went into her room and got her drawings of Mama playing baseball. Her dad complimented Amy on her drawings and Mama on being a great baseball player. As Amy sat on her dad's lap, they listened to The Jack Benny show; dad's favorite program. The war was over, dad was home, and Mama played baseball.

The author set this book in the 1940's. There are several context clues in the story which lead readers back into this era. At the beginning of the story, we learn that it was wartime and dad was in the army fighting for his country. Shortly after, we learn that grandpa fought in the last war and he won a metal. From this information, I discovered that grandpa fought in World War I (1917-1918) and that dad was fighting in World War II (1941-1946). Next, the story tells us that they listened to the news of the war on the radio. Then, they listened to the Jack Benny show. After reading this, I learned that the author set this book in the 1940's. The final factor of the time period of this book indicates that Mama got a job playing in the women's baseball league. I learned that the first All-American Girls Professional Baseball League occurred in 1943. After reading this book, "Mama Played Baseball," I believe I can add it to my list of favorites. The story was heart-warming, and shows that woman can do some of the same aspects as men; we can work and we can play baseball if we choose. show less

"Mama Played Baseball" is a sweet story about a mother and daughter while her father is off at war. Amy helps her mother practice for her tryouts for the women's baseball league. At first Amy doesn't really think baseball is a job, but when she see's her mom in a uniform just like her dad she understands. This is a short and cute story. It shows Amy's bond between her mother and father. It also simply shows that professional sports are also a job not just a game. I think children will find this book fun, and they can relate to Amy. I like this book, but it is not one of my favorites.