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Cover Story

Cover Story - Spanish Version

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Comprehension Quiz

Teacher's Guide and Worksheets

Pitchers Get A Bigger Target

Batter up, and swing low! Last week Major League Baseball officials announced a new, lower strike zone. Pitchers can now aim the ball below a batter's kneecaps as well as above them. Batters will either have to hit lower pitches or strike out more often.

"A guy who can't hit the low pitch? It's going to hurt him," says former umpire Steve Palermo. Baseball officials wanted to give pitchers a wider range and give batters a bigger challenge. They think this will make ball games more exciting.

Games will go faster this season because more batters will strike out. Some players argue that most pitches are too wide, not too low. Officials say the width of the strike zone may also change one of these days.

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