"Fortnite" video game is a surprise big hit with
pro baseball players
By USA Today, adapted by Newsela staff on 05.29.18
Word Count 669
Level 670L
Xander Bogaerts of the Boston Red Sox celebrates after hitting a double against the Tampa Bay Rays with the celebratory "Take the L"
dance from the video game "Fortnite." Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Baseball players need many skills. They have to be able to run, throw, catch, hit and hit for power. These are
called the five tools of baseball. But there is the sixth tool. Many have not heard of it. They have to know
how to kill time.
In between games, there is plenty of downtime. Over the years, players have figured out plenty of ways to
fill their free time. Now, perhaps, they have found the ultimate way.
The game is "Fortnite." Right now, the video game is wildly popular among young people. It also has been a
surprise hit among baseball players, as well. The video game is even being played in team clubhouses and
fancy hotel rooms of major league players.
"I've never seen anything catch the public eye like this has," said C.J. Cron. He is a Tampa Bay Rays first
baseman.
Sure, It's His Last Game!
This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com.
Nick Williams plays outfield for the Philadelphia Phillies. He admits, sometimes he gets bored with
"Fortnite." He wants to stop playing but keeps going. "There are times I'm like, OK, this is my last game of
the night. And then I get second place and I'm like, no, no, I need to try again."
Suddenly, it is 12 games later. He tells himself, "All right, this has got to be my last game."
"Fortnite" is a survival game. It is created by a company called Epic Games. In the game, most of the
population has been wiped out by a storm. The remaining people in the game need to watch out for
zombies.
The game can be played solo or in small teams. Each game begins with 100 competitors in a "lobby." Each
player is on a quest. Their goal is to gather supplies and weapons in order to survive.
Teammates communicate through their headsets. They launch missions, build traps and destroy zombies.
The game has plenty of updates. Professional ballplayers say they like that. The game is also free if players
avoid advanced features.
But there are other reasons they love "Fortnite" as well.
Game Helps Unify Team
The Hagerstown Suns are a minor league baseball team. It
is based in Hagerstown, Maryland.
One day, someone brought a PlayStation4 to the Suns
clubhouse. Suddenly, 7 players out of 10 turned into
"Fortniters." When a gamer scores a win, even the trainers
and coaches come out to watch.
Many of the team members are far from home. Four of the
team players were born in other countries, and their first
language is Spanish.
It's a great way for them to bond with the rest of the team,
said player A.J. Bogucki.
Players also like to chat online through the game. They say they feel closer to the person than phoning or
texting.
Major leaguers agree. In fact, some big league players have made friends online through the game.
"I've never met Brett Phillips in person," said Rays player Matt Duffy. Phillips plays for the Milwaukee
Brewers, and the two just played on a big screen at the ballpark. "I'd consider him a little bit of a buddy."
Post-Game Entertainment
Phillies Aaron Altherr said "Fortnite" is all he does after a game.
He thinks his longest "Fortnite" session lasted around 10 hours. It was during spring training.
"You play," Altherr said. "Get some food. Play again."
This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com.
Players are showing their love for "Fortnite" on the field too. In the season's opening series, Boston Red Sox
shortstop Xander Bogaerts hit a double. When he reached second base, he performed a celebration dance
from "Fortnite." The dance is called "Take the L." Most people in the audience knew what it was.
Kansas City Royals player Kevin McCarthy gave another reason why players like "Fortnite." Players often
get traded and go play for other teams or they leave baseball. "Fortnite" is a great way to keep in touch with
them.
"We still have Xbox and PlayStation," he said.
This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com.
Quiz
1
2
Which detail MOST CLEARLY shows that some baseball players make new friends with “Fortnite”?
(A)
The game can be played solo or in small teams. Each game begins with 100 competitors in a "lobby."
Each player is on a quest. Their goal is to gather supplies and weapons in order to survive.
(B)
Suddenly, 7 players out of 10 turned into "Fortniters." When a gamer scores a win, even the trainers and
coaches come out to watch.
(C)
"I've never met Brett Phillips in person," said Rays player Matt Duffy. Phillips plays for the Milwaukee
Brewers, and the two just played on a big screen at the ballpark. "I'd consider him a little bit of a buddy."
(D)
When he reached second base, he performed a celebration dance from "Fortnite." The dance is called
"Take the L." Most people in the audience knew what it was.
Read the section "Sure, It's His Last Game!"
Select the paragraph that explains the MAIN IDEA of “Fortnite."
3
4
(A)
Nick Williams plays outfield for the Philadelphia Phillies. He admits, sometimes he gets bored with
"Fortnite." He wants to stop playing but keeps going. "There are times I'm like, OK, this is my last game
of the night. And then I get second place and I'm like, no, no, I need to try again."
(B)
Suddenly, it is 12 games later. He tells himself, "All right, this has got to be my last game."
(C)
"Fortnite" is a survival game. It is created by a company called Epic Games. In the game, most of the
population has been wiped out by a storm. The remaining people in the game need to watch out for
zombies.
(D)
The game has plenty of updates. Professional ballplayers say they like that. The game is also free if
players avoid advanced features.
How did the Hagerstown Suns become involved with “Fortnite”?
(A)
Many of the players on the team come from other countries.
(B)
One of the players brought the game to the clubhouse.
(C)
It is a fun and popular game played by young people.
(D)
They saw another baseball player do a “Fortnite” dance.
Complete the sentence. Because baseball players get traded often:
(A)
They can forget about their old friends by playing “Fortnite.”
(B)
Playing “Fortnite” helps them to stay on their same team.
(C)
They are no longer able to play “Fortnite” with each other.
(D)
Playing “Fortnite” lets them stay in touch with each other.
This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com.
Answer Key
1
2
Which detail MOST CLEARLY shows that some baseball players make new friends with “Fortnite”?
(A)
The game can be played solo or in small teams. Each game begins with 100 competitors in a "lobby."
Each player is on a quest. Their goal is to gather supplies and weapons in order to survive.
(B)
Suddenly, 7 players out of 10 turned into "Fortniters." When a gamer scores a win, even the trainers and
coaches come out to watch.
(C)
"I've never met Brett Phillips in person," said Rays player Matt Duffy. Phillips plays for the
Milwaukee Brewers, and the two just played on a big screen at the ballpark. "I'd consider him a
little bit of a buddy."
(D)
When he reached second base, he performed a celebration dance from "Fortnite." The dance is called
"Take the L." Most people in the audience knew what it was.
Read the section "Sure, It's His Last Game!"
Select the paragraph that explains the MAIN IDEA of “Fortnite."
3
4
(A)
Nick Williams plays outfield for the Philadelphia Phillies. He admits, sometimes he gets bored with
"Fortnite." He wants to stop playing but keeps going. "There are times I'm like, OK, this is my last game
of the night. And then I get second place and I'm like, no, no, I need to try again."
(B)
Suddenly, it is 12 games later. He tells himself, "All right, this has got to be my last game."
(C)
"Fortnite" is a survival game. It is created by a company called Epic Games. In the game, most of
the population has been wiped out by a storm. The remaining people in the game need to watch
out for zombies.
(D)
The game has plenty of updates. Professional ballplayers say they like that. The game is also free if
players avoid advanced features.
How did the Hagerstown Suns become involved with “Fortnite”?
(A)
Many of the players on the team come from other countries.
(B)
One of the players brought the game to the clubhouse.
(C)
It is a fun and popular game played by young people.
(D)
They saw another baseball player do a “Fortnite” dance.
Complete the sentence. Because baseball players get traded often:
(A)
They can forget about their old friends by playing “Fortnite.”
(B)
Playing “Fortnite” helps them to stay on their same team.
(C)
They are no longer able to play “Fortnite” with each other.
(D)
Playing “Fortnite” lets them stay in touch with each other.
This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com.