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ED-U-CARDS BASEBALL CARD GAME 1957

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In 1957, Milton Bradley Company released a unique baseball card game called ed-u-cards. The game was designed to not only entertain children with baseball cards but also educate them on various baseball statistics and facts. What made ed-u-cards stand out from traditional baseball card collecting was its educational elements and competitive gameplay.

Each ed-u-cards set contained over 150 traditional sized baseball cards featuring photos of players from the American and National Leagues along with their career stats and accomplishments. Unlike typical baseball cards of the time that were mainly collected, ed-u-cards included question cards to test the knowledge of the players. These question cards covered various baseball trivia related to stats, records, positions, rules, and more.

The gameplay of ed-u-cards involved two or more players taking turns drawing question cards. Whoever drew the card would then have to answer the question by referring to the player cards. If answered correctly, the player would keep the question card as a point. But if answered incorrectly, the card would be passed to the next player for a chance to answer. The first player to collect a certain number of question cards would be declared the winner.

Some sample question cards from 1957 ed-u-cards sets included:

Who holds the single season record for home runs?

What is the position of the player who throws to bases to put runners out?

How many outs are there in an inning?

Name three National League teams.

What is the term for the area where the pitcher stands on the mound?

By combining traditional baseball cards that young fans enjoyed collecting with a quiz element, ed-u-cards created an engaging way for children to not only have fun but also learn about America’s pastime. The gameplay encouraged critical thinking skills as players had to quickly search through the player cards for answers. It also exposed kids to basic baseball terminology and important statistical records in major league history.

The 1957 ed-u-cards set featured over 150 player cards of stars from the 1956 MLB season like Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Sandy Koufax and more. Along with photos and stats, many cards also included fun facts about the players. For example, Hank Aaron’s card noted he was the youngest player in the National League that year at age 23. Sandy Koufax’s card mentioned he threw a no-hitter as a rookie.

In addition to American and National League player cards, the 1957 ed-u-cards included “Career Record” cards highlighting top career stats. There were also “All-Time Record” cards detailing hallowed MLB benchmarks. For instance, one card listed Babe Ruth’s single season record of 60 home runs. Another provided Ty Cobb’s career batting average of .366. These special cards helped teach young fans about baseball’s rich history and iconic records.

The educational elements and competitive gameplay made ed-u-cards very popular among children in the late 1950s. It satisfied their interest in collecting traditional baseball cards while also improving their knowledge of the national pastime. For Milton Bradley, the unique combination of entertainment and education proved to be a very lucrative formula. They continued producing new ed-u-cards sets annually featuring the latest MLB stars and updated stats.

As the 1960s arrived, the traditional baseball card craze among kids was in full swing with no-frills sets from Topps dominating the marketplace. While ed-u-cards remained popular for several years due to its educational aspects, it struggled to compete with the allure of plain baseball cards that could simply be collected and traded. By the mid-1960s, Milton Bradley decided to discontinue producing their ed-u-cards line to focus on other game properties. But for a period in the late 1950s, ed-u-cards brilliantly blended baseball cards with learning to spark children’s interest in America’s favorite pastime. Its innovative formula made it one of the most memorable baseball card releases from that era.

ED-U-CARDS BASEBALL CARD GAME

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Introduction to edu-cards Baseball Card Game

Edu-cards is an educational baseball card game designed to teach students about American history and baseball through fun gameplay. Created by Teachers’ Discovery in 2008, edu-cards uses real baseball players from the past and present as vehicles to engage students in learning about important people and events from U.S. history. With over 500 unique baseball-themed cards covering a wide range of topics, edu-cards provides an entertaining way for kids to absorb historical facts and figures in a memorable context.

How the Game Works

Edu-cards is played similarly to traditional baseball card collecting games. Players are each dealt a hand of 5-7 cards at the start of their turn. The goal is to collect full “baseball teams” on each of the major eras of American history: the Pioneer Era (pre-1876), the Golden Age (1876-1919), the Roaring Twenties (1920-1929), the Great Depression Era (1930-1939), the War Years (1940-1945), the Post-War Boom (1946-1959), the Sixties (1960-1969), the Age of Free Agency (1970-1989), and the Modern Era (1990-present).

Each card depicts a real baseball player from that era alongside historical context about the time period. For example, a card showing Babe Ruth may provide details on Prohibition, women’s suffrage, or World War I. To complete a team, a player must collect one card for each position: pitcher, catcher, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, shortstop, left fielder, center fielder, and right fielder.

On their turn, players can draw from the deck, trade cards with other players, or claim a completed team by laying down the nine corresponding cards face up on the table. If a player manages to finish all nine teams, they win the game. Variations allow for half-teams to be claimed or for multiple winners. Scoring can also be kept for most teams or cards collected.

Educational Elements

What truly sets edu-cards apart from traditional baseball card games is its educational focus. Each card front provides a snapshot of a baseball player alongside their position, team, and stats. But the back of the card is where the history lesson begins. In-depth contextual paragraphs give age-appropriate insights into the social, cultural, and political environment during that era.

For example, a card from the Roaring Twenties might discuss Prohibition, flappers, the rise of organized crime, or the stock market boom and bust. A 1940s card could cover WWII, FDR’s presidency, or Rosie the Riveter. This helps immerse students in different periods of American history in a fun, visually engaging way. Key terms, people, and events are reinforced through repetition as card collections grow.

Edu-cards also promotes learning about baseball’s own history. Students discover how the sport evolved from the amateur Pioneer Era to the modern professional game. Cards showcase iconic players from each generation to help place baseball in its proper cultural context. The game encourages learning baseball terminology and stats as well.

Additional Features

Beyond the main card collection gameplay, edu-cards offers supplemental educational materials. An instruction booklet provides brief overviews of the nine eras as reference points. Dossiers on each baseball player share more in-depth biographical facts. A teacher’s guide offers expansion activities, discussion questions, and ideas for cross-curricular lessons. There are also challenge cards with extra history trivia questions.

Edu-cards has proven popular with both students and educators. Its unique blend of baseball and American history creates an engaging context for absorbing new information. Collecting full teams acts as an achievement that motivates learning. The visual card format and historical vignettes help cement new concepts through association. And best of all, it approaches education as an enjoyable experience rather than a chore. Many teachers report that edu-cards inspires excitement for learning in students of all abilities.

Conclusion

As an educational tool, edu-cards baseball card game has succeeded in making history fun and accessible for young learners. By using America’s pastime as the vehicle, it immerses players in different eras to gain meaningful insights into our country’s social and cultural progression. The game reinforces facts through repetition as collections grow, helping cement new knowledge. Most importantly, edu-cards proves that learning does not need to feel like work—engaging activities can make absorbing new information an exciting experience. Its popularity endures because it achieves the goal that all history education strives for: bringing the past to life for modern students.