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Kickball

Date: Sep 19 2008

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Everyone knows Americans invented baseball and that it’s a pretty big deal around here, but have you ever played kickball? It’s just like baseball, only it’s played with a big rubber ball that you kick. Other than that, it’s exactly the same. There are bases and outs and innings and runs.

Well, the rules are the same, but the spirit is different. With the Olympics fresh in our memories, it’s easy to think that sports are always a really serious thing. But kickball is generally just for fun, although Mason does know some people who take it seriously. Listen to him tell Jason about it.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Mason

Jason

Mason: You know what my favorite part about summer is, man?

Jason: Ice cream.

Mason: Kickball.

Jason: Ah-ha.

Mason: Kickball season is in full effect. I’ve got a friend who’s playing and they’re like the kickball champions, his team.

Jason: Wow. It’s always weird when kickball gets really competitive to me because to me the appeal is it’s the sport that requires very little skill. Seemingly, anyone, no matter how un-athletic, can play.

Mason: Totally. But that’s kind of why. It’s like, not everybody has a sport that they’re good at that they get all, grrr, sporty about.

Jason: That’s true. That’s true.

Mason: So, kickball is the agro sport for the masses. Plus, the other cool thing about kickball is you can totally drink beer while you’re playing it.

Jason: Absolutely. I think teams should be rewarded for how much beer they drink during the game because I think you are so much more respectable if you can catch a fly ball while holding a Pabst.

Mason: Absolutely. Absolutely. There should be advanced scoring techniques for that.

Jason: If nothing else, it’s at least intimidating if you do that because it gives the impression that you don’t even have to try.

Mason: Mm-hm. And is it weird that I find the sound of ball soothing? I do. That little poing, poing.

Jason: It just takes me back to grade school.

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Discussion

The thing Mason likes best about summer is kickball. He has a friend who is on a really good kickball team. Jason is surprised that Mason knows someone who takes kickball seriously since he thought it’s usually played for fun.

But Mason explains that taking a sport seriously is fun and that since kickball is, like, the easiest sport to play that there is, for some people it’s the only sport they can take seriously.

Kickball games are usually so relaxed that you can drink beer while you play. Jason thinks beer drinking should be incorporated into the official rules of the game.

Have you ever tried kickball? Is there a sport you play just for fun? Can you drink beer while you play it?

Comments

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keyamycath

China

well。I never konw it can drink during a kickball game.I only usually drink while i‘m watching a football match。

miffoo

Slovakia

It's sounds really cool!!! I never played kickball but sounds interesting play game and drink beer, it's awesome LOL

miffoo

Slovakia

nice lesson:)

caleb123

China

that is my frist to hear ! it sounds great_~~_~~~

Totto

Sudan

I have not heard someone can drink a beer as they play. I guess people can add anything to have more fun.

kchiu

Taiwan

I played kickball in elementary school. It is safe and funny. People could enjoy it even if they're not good at sport. However, it is the first time I've ever heard we can drink beers while playing kickball. That sounds cool!

Totto

Sudan

Nah, when someone palys it the first time, it is really fun and exciting. But, the second time, it is really boring becuase it is difficult to homerun.

Every time someone kicks the ball, it usually ends up one on the opponent team catches it. Once the ball is catched, they are outomatically out.

Totto

Sudan

Nah, when someone palys it the first time, it is really fun and exciting. But, the second time, it is really boring becuase it is difficult to homerun.

Every time someone kicks the ball, it usually ends up one on the opponent team catches it. Once the ball is catched, they are outomatically out.

jack1111

China

aliena

China

it sounds cool, drink beer while playing. It must be very relaxed and casual. I hate to be serious about any sports. it must be my kind of sports. I will have a try if any chance. But people around here seem not playing it at all.

wenren

Singapore

To kick the ball? But how to pitch it, with foot? And how to bat it, with foot too?

jack1111

China

good

jack1111

China

ok ,very good

bbbfish

China

thankyou.it is good

metal21

Nicaragua

When I was in elementary school I used to play kickball along some friends but it was just for fun, in my school kickball was really famous but now it's a pity that I haven't seen someone play it at least in my neighborhood.

hugolin8

Taiwan

Drinking beer while sport? haha it is funny ,i think.

myar shad oglo

Palestinian Territory, Occupied

nice thanx so more

195854255

United States

I think it is no just a game for fun. People may say that a certain game is just played for fun, but it is meanless until you do your utmost to win. Nobody wants to lose. Of course you may smile still after you losing a game, but i think you must not be cool deep inside.