Purpose: To creatively introduce one another before a session and make a learning point as well.

 Time Required: 30 minutes.

 Size of Group: Unlimited.

 Materials Required: Any props that might help convert the classroom to a ballpark (for example, plastic bats, baseball caps, etc.).

 The Exercise in Action: Participants in training at Great Plains Software in Fargo, ND, are told to arrive wearing a uniform and sneakers and to be prepared to “play ball” during review sessions.

Internal product trainer Jeanne Rodenbiker quickly converts her training room into a playing field, using chairs as bases, giving baseball hats to participants, and keeping an inflatable bat on hand to add a little ballpark flavor. She divides the class into teams and has them choose their own names, usually something related to the topic.

When the first team comes up to bat, one player draws a baseball card from a hat. Each card is marked as a single, double, triple, or home run. The pitcher (instructor) relays a question of the appropriate level of difficulty (for example, triples are more difficult than doubles). Although only one team member advances the indicated bases, the entire team can discuss the question before answering. This eliminates putting participants on the spot and encourages group interaction. If answers require visual aids, the team uses a whiteboard to diagram its responses.

The instructor serves as pitcher and umpire, providing hints or designating time limits as to when questions must be answered. After three outs (misses), the second team bats.

Rodenbiker says the energy level in this exercise is usually high and teams become quite competitive. She has had teams develop cheers and a few enthusiastic players even slide into bases. In most courses, she fits in the “game innings” after completing major sections of the material.