This Baseball PowerPoint template can be used to review with your class before big tests and exams! I use it before standardized tests because there are a lot of questions. I’ve included the instructions directly from the PowerPoint file below so that you can get an idea of how it works.
This template is recommended for PCs only because it uses PowerPoint macros for the scoring. Your version of PowerPoint probably already has macros enabled, but, if it doesn’t, watch this video to learn how to enable them. It’s super easy!
Click here to check out this game template on Teachers Pay Teachers. 79 slides, includes basic animation, sound.
***How to Set Up the “Play Ball” PowerPoint Game Template***
1. Come up with 75 questions. Each question should have two incorrect answers and one correct answer. Separate the questions by level of difficulty. The 30 easiest questions will be used for “Single Hits”. The next 15 easiest questions will be used for “Double Hits”. The next 15 easiest questions will be used for “Triple Hits”. The hardest 15 questions will be used for “Homers”.
2. Enter the topic for the game into the “Type Game Topic Here” text box on Slide 1.
3. Then, enter in your questions (and answers) into Slide 3 through Slide 77.
***How to Play the “Play Ball” PowerPoint Game Template***
1. Make sure you’ve taken all of the steps to set up this game template. There are a lot of questions!
2. Split your students into two teams. I like to do boys vs. girls because it makes the game even more fun!
3. Have each team determine their “batting order”. Explain to them that this order is the order in which they will “bat”, or, answer questions.
4. Determine which team goes first by flipping a coin.
5. Progress to Slide 2. The first student from the first team will select a question number. They are listed on Slide 2 by how many bases they get to progress if they get the answer correct. Explain to your students that the easiest questions are “Singles” and the hardest questions are “Homers.” After the student has chosen, click on the number they picked.
6. This will take you to the question slide for that number. It states what level of hit they get to move if they get the answer correct [i.e. Single (one base), Double (two bases), Triple (three bases), Homer (all four bases)]. Read the answer and allow the student to pick one of the three answers. If they get the correct answer, it will take them to the “Hit!” screen. From there, you can go back to the main game board and type their name into the text box near the base they earned. If they get the answer wrong, they will be taken to the “You’re Out” screen. From there, you can go back to the main game board and add an out to the scoreboard. Regardless of whether or not they got the question right, it is the next person’s turn to bat (unless they are the 3rd out).
7. This game plays just like baseball, but without strikes. If a student gets the question wrong, they get an out. When three outs have been accumulated, that team’s turn is over and the other team is “up to bat”. You can speed up the game by having each team start with one (or two) out(s) for each inning.
8. When a student is already on base (i.e. you have their name typed into one of the bases) and another student scores a hit, you simply advance each student to the appropriate base by entering and re-entering their name in the text boxes. So, for example, if Amy scored a single and was on 1st base, I would type her name in the 1st base box. Then, if Benjamin comes and scores a double, I would delete Amy’s name from 1st base and type her name in 3rd base. Benjamin, since he scored a double, would be typed into 2nd base.
9. Students score by advancing all the way to home plate—just like baseball!
10. Continue game play until all 9 innings are complete OR you run out of questions. The team with the highest score at the end of the game is the winner!
If you’re ready to play this game with your class, get it here!
