🔎 SoftballGrade 4Reading: grades 3-4MultiplicationSkip countingAdditionRoundingDivision
The Great Softball Swindle
Someone snuck into the equipment shed before the big championship game and stole the Golden Pitching Trophy! The detective team must track down the culprit before first pitch.
Suspects
Possible suspects
Cross off a row as each clue rules it out. On screen, tap a row.
21 of 21 still in play
| Name | Signature Pitch | Favorite Gear | Glove Hand | Cap Color | Distraction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sis Bates | Changeup | Visor | Left Handed | Blue Cap | Bubble Gum |
| Kinzie Hansen | Changeup | Catchers Mask | Right Handed | Blue Cap | Loud Cheering |
| Jayda Coleman | Screwball | Batting Glove | Left Handed | Gold Cap | Squeaky Shoes |
| Ali Aguilar | Fastball | Visor | Right Handed | Red Cap | Squeaky Shoes |
| Valerie Cagle | Fastball | Catchers Mask | Left Handed | Gold Cap | Loud Cheering |
| Amanda Chidester | Changeup | Batting Glove | Left Handed | Gold Cap | Bubble Gum |
| Monica Abbott | Riseball | Ankle Guard | Left Handed | Blue Cap | Loud Cheering |
| Haylie McCleney | Dropcurve | Shiny Bat | Left Handed | Gold Cap | Loud Cheering |
| Jocelyn Alo | Riseball | Shiny Bat | Right Handed | Blue Cap | Bubble Gum |
| Jennie Finch | Dropcurve | Catchers Mask | Right Handed | Blue Cap | Bubble Gum |
| Megan Faraimo | Changeup | Visor | Right Handed | Gold Cap | Loud Cheering |
| Tiare Jennings | Fastball | Visor | Left Handed | Gold Cap | Squeaky Shoes |
| Kiki Milloy | Fastball | Catchers Mask | Right Handed | Gold Cap | Squeaky Shoes |
| Cat Osterman | Fastball | Shiny Bat | Right Handed | Blue Cap | Bubble Gum |
| Rachel Garcia | Screwball | Batting Glove | Right Handed | Red Cap | Bubble Gum |
| Skylar Wallace | Dropcurve | Ankle Guard | Right Handed | Blue Cap | Bubble Gum |
| Alana Vawter | Changeup | Catchers Mask | Right Handed | Gold Cap | Squeaky Shoes |
| Sierra Romero | Riseball | Visor | Right Handed | Blue Cap | Bubble Gum |
| Lauren Chamberlain | Fastball | Catchers Mask | Right Handed | Blue Cap | Loud Cheering |
| NiJaree Canady | Changeup | Catchers Mask | Left Handed | Blue Cap | Bubble Gum |
| Odicci Alexander | Screwball | Catchers Mask | Left Handed | Gold Cap | Bubble Gum |
Clue 1
Multiplication facts (1-12)
The detective counts equal rows of softballs stacked in the dugout storage room to unlock the first clue.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
T
96
1
81
T
96
1
28
81
72
16
48
81
14
18
48
T
96
15
81
64
5
64
18
64
18
108
80
81
84
20
64
5
16
8 × 12 =T
12 × 6 =F
4 × 4 =D
9 × 12 =K
5 × 1 =R
8 × 8 =A
9 × 9 =E
10 × 8 =L
2 × 10 =U
12 × 7 =G
4 × 12 =O
1 × 1 =H
5 × 3 =W
7 × 4 =I
2 × 7 =S
9 × 2 =N
0/16 letters found
Clue 2
Skip counting
The detective skip counts the light beam flashes along the outfield fence line to decipher the second clue.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
T
27
8
18
T
27
8
90
18
14
26
65
T
27
26
8
18
16
35
90
T
27
8
65
33
90
20
8
T
27
8
65
24
42
18
42
20
110
9
60
18
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, ___, 30, 33T
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, ___, 10, 12H
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ___, 21, 24E
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, ___, 100, 110I
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, ___, 45, 48D
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20S
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, ___, 120, 130L
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, ___, 16, 18F
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, ___, 25, 30G
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, ___, 28, 30C
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, ___, 70, 75A
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ___, 40, 45W
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, ___, 26, 28N
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, ___, 65, 70V
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, ___, 36, 39R
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, ___, 12, 15O
0/16 letters found
Clue 3
Addition
The detective adds up all the safety helmets left in the equipment bins to reveal the third clue.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
B
2427
3873
B
2427
B
2427
2398
5564
4045
3873
7232
5471
2398
5853
3239
5564
2323
2323
5853
3239
8831
8459
5418
5564
5471
3873
5471
8587
5564
8878
8459
1387 + 1040 =B
2621 + 5966 =P
3666 + 5212 =C
5183 + 3648 =N
1177 + 1221 =L
1361 + 962 =D
3450 + 2021 =S
4539 + 2693 =M
3336 + 2228 =E
2643 + 2775 =H
1189 + 2684 =U
1309 + 2736 =G
1845 + 1394 =W
2409 + 3444 =O
5185 + 3274 =T
0/15 letters found
Clue 4
Rounding
The radar gun on the field rounds pitch speeds to the nearest ten to generate the fourth clue.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
A
7000
30
1700
170
9000
3700
A
7000
20
5000
A
7000
70
1700
9000
3000
230
370
9000
A
7000
4300
2000
2300
500
9000
20
1700
A
7000
230
9000
Round 7,326 to the nearest thousandA
Round 5,098 to the nearest thousandW
Round 234 to the nearest tenT
Round 1,673 to the nearest hundredL
Round 3,736 to the nearest hundredC
Round 171 to the nearest tenU
Round 30 to the nearest tenB
Round 67 to the nearest tenS
Round 4,307 to the nearest hundredR
Round 2,260 to the nearest hundredO
Round 492 to the nearest hundredM
Round 3,408 to the nearest thousandF
Round 9,346 to the nearest thousandE
Round 372 to the nearest tenN
Round 16 to the nearest tenP
Round 1,785 to the nearest thousandH
0/16 letters found
Clue 5
Division facts (1-12) — the last clue
The detective divides the extra practice balls equally into buckets across teams to find the final clue.
First solve each problem. Then find each answer in the list below and cross that sentence out. One sentence will be left — that's exactly what the villain did!
Step 1 — solve these
50 ÷ 10 = ?
9 ÷ 3 = ?
56 ÷ 8 = ?
7 ÷ 7 = ?
54 ÷ 6 = ?
110 ÷ 10 = ?
18 ÷ 3 = ?
20 ÷ 2 = ?
36 ÷ 9 = ?
16 ÷ 2 = ?
84 ÷ 7 = ?
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain threw a fast riseball, then tightened a batting glove.
2.The villain threw a blazing fastball, then grabbed the shiny bat.
3.The villain threw a fast riseball, then adjusted a visor.
4.The villain threw a sneaky changeup, then fixed a catchers mask.
5.The villain threw a sharp dropcurve, then fixed a catchers mask.
6.The villain threw a trick screwball, then tightened a batting glove.
7.The villain threw a fast riseball, then grabbed the shiny bat.
8.The villain threw a trick screwball, then grabbed the shiny bat.
9.The villain threw a blazing fastball, then strapped on an ankle guard.
10.The villain threw a sneaky changeup, then tightened a batting glove.
11.The villain threw a blazing fastball, then tightened a batting glove.
12.The villain threw a blazing fastball, then fixed a catchers mask.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Great Softball Swindle
Culprit: Cat Osterman (Fastball · Shiny Bat · Right Handed · Blue Cap · Bubble Gum)
- Clue 1 (Multiplication facts (1-12)): "THE THIEF DOES NOT WEAR AN ANKLE GUARD"8 × 12 = 96 (T) · 12 × 6 = 72 (F) · 4 × 4 = 16 (D) · 9 × 12 = 108 (K) · 5 × 1 = 5 (R) · 8 × 8 = 64 (A) · 9 × 9 = 81 (E) · 10 × 8 = 80 (L) · 2 × 10 = 20 (U) · 12 × 7 = 84 (G) · 4 × 12 = 48 (O) · 1 × 1 = 1 (H) · 5 × 3 = 15 (W) · 7 × 4 = 28 (I) · 2 × 7 = 14 (S) · 9 × 2 = 18 (N)
- Clue 2 (Skip counting): "THE THIEF CATCHES WITH A RIGHT HANDED GLOVE"Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, ___, 30, 33 = 27 (T) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, ___, 10, 12 = 8 (H) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ___, 21, 24 = 18 (E) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, ___, 100, 110 = 90 (I) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, ___, 45, 48 = 42 (D) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, ___, 18, 20 = 16 (S) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, ___, 120, 130 = 110 (L) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, ___, 16, 18 = 14 (F) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, ___, 25, 30 = 20 (G) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, ___, 28, 30 = 26 (C) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, ___, 70, 75 = 65 (A) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ___, 40, 45 = 35 (W) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, ___, 26, 28 = 24 (N) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, ___, 65, 70 = 60 (V) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, ___, 36, 39 = 33 (R) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, ___, 12, 15 = 9 (O)
- Clue 3 (Addition): "BUBBLE GUM SLOWED DOWN THE SUSPECT"1387 + 1040 = 2427 (B) · 2621 + 5966 = 8587 (P) · 3666 + 5212 = 8878 (C) · 5183 + 3648 = 8831 (N) · 1177 + 1221 = 2398 (L) · 1361 + 962 = 2323 (D) · 3450 + 2021 = 5471 (S) · 4539 + 2693 = 7232 (M) · 3336 + 2228 = 5564 (E) · 2643 + 2775 = 5418 (H) · 1189 + 2684 = 3873 (U) · 1309 + 2736 = 4045 (G) · 1845 + 1394 = 3239 (W) · 2409 + 3444 = 5853 (O) · 5185 + 3274 = 8459 (T)
- Clue 4 (Rounding): "A BLUE CAP WAS LEFT NEAR HOME PLATE"Round 7,326 to the nearest thousand = 7000 (A) · Round 5,098 to the nearest thousand = 5000 (W) · Round 234 to the nearest ten = 230 (T) · Round 1,673 to the nearest hundred = 1700 (L) · Round 3,736 to the nearest hundred = 3700 (C) · Round 171 to the nearest ten = 170 (U) · Round 30 to the nearest ten = 30 (B) · Round 67 to the nearest ten = 70 (S) · Round 4,307 to the nearest hundred = 4300 (R) · Round 2,260 to the nearest hundred = 2300 (O) · Round 492 to the nearest hundred = 500 (M) · Round 3,408 to the nearest thousand = 3000 (F) · Round 9,346 to the nearest thousand = 9000 (E) · Round 372 to the nearest ten = 370 (N) · Round 16 to the nearest ten = 20 (P) · Round 1,785 to the nearest thousand = 2000 (H)
- Clue 5 (Division facts (1-12)): surviving statement (box 2) → Cat Osterman50 ÷ 10 = 5 · 9 ÷ 3 = 3 · 56 ÷ 8 = 7 · 7 ÷ 7 = 1 · 54 ÷ 6 = 9 · 110 ÷ 10 = 11 · 18 ÷ 3 = 6 · 20 ÷ 2 = 10 · 36 ÷ 9 = 4 · 16 ÷ 2 = 8 · 84 ÷ 7 = 12
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 4 math
- Math topics
- Multiplication, Skip counting, Addition, Rounding, Division
- Reading level
- grades 3-4
- Theme
- The Great Softball Swindle — set in Sun Valley Diamond Arena
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects