Hanshin Tigers' Rookie Batting Plan Fails to Score First Run
Listen to the story
The Hanshin Tigers baseball team tried a new plan in a game. The team put two rookies in the batting order. The rookies played in the 8th and 9th spots. This plan did not work well.
One rookie was Yatani. He got a promotion to the main team. He played at second base. He batted in the 7th spot.
Another rookie was Okajo. He played in left field. He batted in the 8th spot.
The rookies played because Takumu Nakano could not start. Nakano hurt his left foot. But he still came into the game as a substitute. This kept his special playing streak alive. He has now played in 569 games in a row.
One rookie made a good sacrifice bunt. This helps the team move a runner. But the Tigers still could not score first. The other team's pitcher, Taichi Yamano, stopped them. The Tigers did not get the first run of the game.
Vocabulary4 words
- batting order
- the list that shows when each player hits the ball
- promotion
- moving up to a better team or level
- substitute
- a player who comes in to replace another player
- sacrifice bunt
- a soft hit that helps a teammate move to the next base
Quiz
Answer key
1. 8th and 9th 2. He hurt his left foot 3. False
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The Hanshin Tigers baseball team tried a new plan in a _____. The team put two rookies in the _____. The rookies played in the 8th and 9th spots.
One rookie was Yatani. He got a _____ to the main team. He played at _____. He batted in the 7th spot.
The rookies played because Takumu Nakano could not start. Nakano hurt his left _____. But he still came into the game as a _____.
This kept his special playing _____ alive. He has now played in 569 games in a row.
One rookie made a good _____. But the Tigers still could not score first. The other team's _____, Taichi Yamano, stopped them.