Please refer to the following passage for questions 6-10.

            After a lengthy soccer practice and what seemed like the longest day of school ever, Luke pulled into the driveway and turned off his car in exhaustion. With a heavy sigh, the stressed out high school senior grabbed his backpack and made his way into the house.

            As the door shut behind him, all Luke could think about were the many college applications awaiting him on his computer. The summer had flown by and all of a sudden it was really time to get these sent in. Luke knew he was slightly late on this, but the pressure was just too much at times. Plus, the added frustration of less than desirable SAT scores and awaiting last year’s math teacher to complete that much needed letter of recommendation made the current beginning to the semester far from enjoyable. But all of those nerves needed to be pushed aside; it was time to get serious.

“Luke! Perfect timing! Dinner is ready,” his mother called as he walked through the house.

“Can I eat later? I really need to get going on my applications,” he replied.

“Well, of course you do. But you can spare a minute to eat first!”

            Lacking the energy to debate with her, Luke listened to his mom and joined her in the kitchen, although his mind still raced with college decision points. Pro and con lists spun around in his head, questions popped up every day – it was a crazy time and everybody around him knew it. Neighbors consistently hounded him for answers about from where he was hoping for an acceptance letter. Frankly, Luke didn’t know yet. Extensive research still needed to be done and he may have been tired, but he was nevertheless determined to do it. After that night’s dinner, the real admissions journey would begin.

Often referred to as America’s pastime, baseball is one of the most beloved sports in history. Its earliest origins date back to the 18^th century in England, and soon after in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. By the time the mid-1800s rolled around, the game was being played quite regularly throughout North America to the point where it was recognizable; local games were frequently referred to as “town ball.” Of course, the game quickly turned into a professional entity, now known as Major League Baseball.

30 teams make up Major League Baseball, or MLB – 29 from the United States and one from Canada. The teams are evenly split up into two leagues, the American League and the National League, and each of those is split up into three divisions. Every regular season leads up to the culmination of five teams from each league earning a spot in the playoffs, otherwise known as the postseason. Teams are able to land one of these coveted spots either by winning their respective division or by getting a wild card spot. Most fans will tell you that once the postseason begins, that is when things get really exciting.

The playoffs entail a pretty simple structure; each league must go through three series of games before it is time for the World Series. First, a Wild Card Game is held as a one-game playoff between the two teams in each league that grabbed a wild card spot. Following that is the American League Division Series and the National League Division Series, both of which are a best-of-five game series. Next comes the American League Championship Series and the National League Championship Series, this time a best-of-seven game series each. The winners of these series are known as the champions of their respective leagues. Subsequently, those two winners battle against each other in the best-of-seven World Series games.

It is fascinating to stop and think of how this game truly became such a phenomenon. Many fans do take the time to pause and appreciate the history of it, but many just enjoy what it is today. Regardless, baseball will always be a truly famous and respected sport.