Background Information ·(1)Baseball Baseball is a sport that is so popular in the United States that it is often called the national pastime.Every spring and summer,millions of people throughout the country play this exciting "bat and ball game.Millions also watch baseball games and closely follow the progress of their favorite teams and players.Background Information • (1) Baseball Baseball is a sport that is so popular in the United States that it is often called the national _______. Every spring and summer, millions of people throughout the country play this exciting “bat and ball game.” Millions also watch baseball games and __________________their favorite teams and players. pastime closely follow the progress of