The Presidential Pitches and Traditions

The Sporting News reported that baseball was now "'worthy of the patronage of every class of people in this broad land.'" What does the word patronage refer to?

• the fans' attendance

• the president's pitch

• the players' success

• the game's popularity

According to the passage, how did President Taft surprise people?

• He attended the game with Mrs. Taft.

• He wore a bowler hat to a baseball game.

• He threw the ball all the way to Walter Johnson.

• He asked to throw the first pitch.

How does the author's description of other presidents contribute to the reader's understanding of the passage?

• It shows how the tradition of presidents throwing pitches has changed over time.

• It proves that most presidents are fans of the “national pastime."

• It demonstrates how strong of an impact Taft's first pitch had.

• It supports the idea that Taft was better than average at

  pitching baseballs.

According to the passage, how did Taft's pitch influence the game between the Nationals and the Athletics?

• It helped Eddie Plank play better.

• It inspired the Nationals to win

• It made Walter Johnson proud.

• It limited the Athletics to three hits.

How did President Taft change the game of baseball?

• He made it preferable for presidents to sit with the general public.

• He inspired a practice of presidential pitching on Opening Day.

• He began the tradition of presidents autographing baseballs.

• He started a practice that fire chiefs and mayors later followed.