American pastime — Baseball / Времяпрепровождение в Америке — Бейсбол

It is a well-known and a well-proved fact that American pastime is all about baseball. For over a century, families have spent their afternoons together at the ballpark, cheering for their home teams and eating hot dogs and drinking soda. It's been a favorite family pastime as far as anyone can remember. In fact, in the modern era of television and radio, many regularly scheduled programs show re-runs during the World Series so they do not compete with the home team game.

In order to encourage me whole American pastime, baseball is introduced everywhere. Baseball programs are offered in many schools. Youth leagues are also popular. Softball, a direct derivative of baseball, is played by young women. There are Minor and Major Leagues of baseball. The Minor Leagues are a "farming" ground for grooming young players to play for Major League Baseball clubs. Ball players in the Major Leagues make millions of dollars. They usually go on to coach or own their own teams after retirement.

Little has threatened the love of the game in the past. But the recent steroid scandal has cast a shadow over Major League Baseball and divided its fans. Hopefully the problem will be solved. And this fine American tradition will continue to bring people together in future, as it is the most watched sport in the United State.

Словарь

a well-proved fact — доказанный факт

to cheer for a team — болеть за команду; поддерживать команду морально

to drink soda — пить газированную воду

to show re-runs — транслировать повторные показы (матчей)

a direct derivative of baseball — прямая производная бейсбола

to groom young players — готовить юных игроков

after retirement — на пенсии

to threaten smth — угрожать чему-либо; стать угрозой для чего-либо