Part 1: The Basic Game third on your way around and wait for the next

batter to . Alternatively the runner is played by two teams of nine can take a risk at “stealing” a base and players each. The teams take turns therefore can advance further. (Stealing and fielding. The batting team is a base will be explained later). called the OFFENSIVE team and the fielding team is called the DEFENSIVE The defensive teams objective is to get team. batters and base runners , either

by catching balls hit in the air, as in The basics of Baseball are very simple. cricket, or in various other ways we’ll A player, known appropriately enough get to later. Once three players on the as the PITCHER, pitches the ball to offensive team have made outs, the two , who crouches behind a teams switch: the defensive base called home plate, a BATTER team comes in to bat and the batting stands next to home plate then swings team goes out to the field to defend. to try to hit the ball. If he makes fair contact he runs around as many bases An is completed when each team as possible before the ball is retrieved has batted, and a full game consists of and returned under control by the nine . A game usually takes defensive team. The aim of the game is between 45 and 90 minutes to play. to score more RUNS than the opposition. A is scored when a Players bat in a pre-arranged order. player on the batting team advances After the last batter in the order has hit, around all three bases and back to the first batter comes up again. If the where he started (HOME PLATE). final out in an inning is made by, say the from whence he started. fourth batter in the order, then the fifth

batter will be the first to hit when the Unless you hit the ball so far that you team comes in to bat again. can run around all the bases before it’s returned (a ), you’ll probably have to stop at first, second or

Part 2: The Playing Area to a boundary, either actual or notional. From above, the playing area

looks like the illustration below. A Baseball playing area is contained within a 90-degree angle, and is usually Everything inside the thick black lines called a DIAMOND, because of the are known as FAIR TERRITORY and central part of the playing field – the is where most of the action takes place. INFIELD – is diamond shaped. The The shaded area outside these lines is extends outward from the called FOUL TERRITORY, where some action can take place. Everything base; and right field is the outfield area put down clothing or similar items to beyond this is called to the right on the diagram. mark base positions. TERRITORY because if this ball goes The pitcher stands on the PITCHER’S For safety reasons, FIRST BASE often into this area, all action stops. As a PLATE (P) and pitches the ball to the (but not always) consists of a basic rule, the batter must hit the ball batter, who stands beside HOME base, half white and half orange, with into fair territory. PLATE (H), 60 feet 6 inches away. A the orange section in foul territory and right handed batter will stand to the the white section in fair territory. The Unfortunately, Baseball diamonds are right side of home plate (from the batter heads for the orange part, the not always marked out and you may pitcher’s point of view) and a left- fielder uses the white part, and have to imagine (and agree with the handed batter to the left of home plate. collisions are avoided. other team!) where Fair, Foul and Dead Once a batter hits the ball into fair Ball Territory is located. territory, he advances counter- HOME PLATE is a five-sided piece of clockwise around the bases. heavy rubber measuring 17” across. You will often hear people referring to LEFT FIELD, CENTRE FIELD and Each BASE (First Base, Second Base, The PITCHER’S PLATE is a RIGHT FIELD. These terms mean and Third Base) is marked, usually with rectangular piece of heavy rubber exactly what they say. Left field is that a 17” square plastic bag filled with foam. measuring 6” by 24”. The pitcher must part of the outfield which is to the left The distance between each base is 90 have one foot in contact with this plate as you look at the field diagram; centre feet (quite a long way!). In the absence when delivering a to the batter. field is the outfield area behind second of proper bases, players will sometimes

Part 3: The Defensive Team INFIELDERS returns the ball to the pitcher if the batter swings and misses or fails to

swing. The catcher also guards home The job of the defensive team, known PITCHER (1): The pitcher pitches the plate against incoming base runners and as FIELDERS, is to or stop any ball to the batter from the pitcher’s tries to tag them out before they can balls hit, with the aim of preventing plate and then becomes another reach the base and score a run. offensive players from advancing around infielder, ready to catch or stop batted the bases and scoring runs. Towards balls and throw to bases as required. FIRST BASE (3): This is often a busy this end, each fielder has specific duties The pitcher will often take throws at posting, as many balls will be thrown to (and also a specific number which is first hit to the first base first base in an attempt to put batters used as a form of shorthand in player, or back up other infielders on out who are running from home to scorekeeping): throws coming in from the outfield. first. The first base player also guards

part of the right side of the infield CATCHER (2): The catcher kneels or squats behind home plate and against batted balls hit on the ground or direction) and a good throwing arm, and catch balls. These gloves may seem in the air. since it’s a long throw from third to cumbersome at first and even a bit sissy SECOND BASE (4): the second first base. – macho cricket players are often base player will guard much of the right tempted not to use them! But gloves side of the infield and will try to catch OUTFIELDERS are essential because the glove will balls hit in the air or on the ground. allow you to make catches you could She will often catch throws made to Outfield positions are not quite so never make barehanded and to control second base, though the (see rigidly defined as infield positions. The the ball quickly in order to throw it, below) can do this as well. See how team captain or possible the catcher which is an essential part of the game. the infielders are positioned on the may position the outfielders, sometimes Besides – it’s against the rules not to diagram to cover as much of the infield differently for each batter. For wear one! Players will usually buy their area as possible. It is a common fault of example, if a hard hitting batter is up, own gloves to ensure they have one inexperienced infield players to stand the outfielders may all move back, or if that fits and feels comfortable. on their base at all times. This isn’t a left handed batter comes up, the Practice using the glove, catching the necessary and means that they’re not outfielders may all swing around ball in the webbing rather than the palm covering as much of the field as they towards right field. and remembering not to rely on the could be. It only becomes necessary to glove to do everything. Close your touch your base if you are trying to get In general, however, the LEFT fingers on the ball once it goes into the someone out there. FIELDER (7) will play in left field, the CENTRE FIELDER (8) will play in glove and cover the gloved hand with SHORTSTOP (6): the shortstop centre field behind second and the your bare hand to stop the ball popping stands between second and third base RIGHT FIELDER (9) will play in right out. and tries to stop or catch any ball hit field. The outfielders’ job is to catch or Another reason to practice with the towards left field. The shortstop is also stop balls hit in their direction and glove is that it’s worn on your weaker in a good posting to take throws at return them quickly and accurately to hand (i.e., if you’re right handed you’ll second base or, occasionally, at third. the infield. wear a glove on your left hand), and THIRD BASE (5): the third base you’re probably not used to catching player guards the area near third base GLOVES with this hand. The reason for this and will usually take throws made to arrangement is so that your stronger third. This player needs good reflexes Each defensive player, including the hand is free for throwing. (since the ball is often hit hard in there pitcher, wears a fielder’s glove to stop

Part 4: Batting

There are several stages involved in basic batting technique:

Start with your weight Begin the swing by stepping Twist the body to open the Just before the bat meets the ball, the wrists should snap mostly on the back foot towards the pitcher with hops, then the shoulders, to accelerate the bat into the ball and to help generate and the bat drawn back. the front foot. which pulls the bat through follow through on the swing to meet the ball.

BUNTING hand should be further up the bat than FAIR BALLS AND FOUL BALLS normal but still on the grip tape. · If a ball is hit into the infield (i.e. in Fair There are several types of bunts and Territory) but then rolls foul before it situations for using the bunts. In this With a (unless it is a sacrifice or slap passes first or third base, it is considered beginners guide we will only look at the bunt) you want to hold off as long as FOUL. · If a ball lands in the outfield (i.e. in Fair mechanics of a regular bunt. possible before “squaring around”. Territory), and then rolls foul, it is considered FAIR. Stand in your normal hitting stance and · If a ball is hit into Foul Territory but then rolls into Fair Territory before it passes just before the ball is about to be first or third base, it is considered FAIR. released pivot on your feet so that your · If a ball is hit into Foul Territory outside chest is facing the pitcher. When the outfield and then rolls into Fair gripping the bat the top hand should be Territory, it is considered FOUL · If a hits either first or third on the barrel of the bat with only the base, it is considered FAIR no matter index and thumb touching and bottom where it goes afterwards!

Part 5: Pitching stands at home plate, anything else would pass through any part of this zone to be be a ball. called a strike.

If a pitch is good and the batter fails to Steps to becoming a great pitcher: swing, or swings and misses, or swings 1. Start by standing on the pitchers A GOOD PITCH and hits the ball into Foul Territory rubber with both feet facing home |(without it being caught) or into Dead plate. · MUST be pitched from the pitching Ball Territory, then the pitch will be 2. Take a small step back and slightly plate. · MUST pass between the height of the called a strike. If three strikes are called side ways with your glove side foot. batter’s knees and back shoulder as against you and you haven’t managed to 3. Plant your other foot in front of the he stands at home plate in a n ormal hit the ball into Fair Territory, you are rubber, while keeping this foot in batting stance (you can’t make it STRUCK OUT. contact with the rubber. harder by crouching down!).

4. Lift your glove side leg. · MUST pass across some part of If a pitcher pitches four BALLS – bad home plate. 5. Break hands as your glove side leg pitches which are out of the

drops. and which the batter makes no attempt 6. When your front foot hits the to hit – then the batter will walk to first ground throw! A pitched ball which fulfils all these base. Putting batters on base is conditions will be called a STRIKE dangerous since they are liable to get STRIKES AND BALLS because it will have been judged by the around to score runs, so the defensive umpire to have passed through at least team will hope that the pitcher doesn’t A pitched ball will be described (by the some part of the STRIKE ZONE. The do this too often! The basic job of a umpire) as either a STRIKE or a BALL. strike zone is an imaginary three- baseball pitcher is to throw the batter Basically, a strike is pitched across the dimensional column of space with depth, off, mix him up or locate the ball where it plate and no lower than the knees or width and corners corresponding to the will be hit as an easy ground out or pop higher than the back shoulder as he shape of home plate. A ball need only up.

A typical example would be this: you hit lose speed and momentum), after the ball along the ground (called a which you can safely walk back to first GROUND BALL) to the shortstop. without the danger of being tagged out. You set off for first base. The However, if you pass first base and turn shortstop picks it up and throws to the into the field of play with the intent to first base player, who catches the ball in run on towards second, you can be her glove while her foot is in contact tagged out. When running to second with the base. The ball gets to her or third base, however, you must stay before you can reach the base. You’re in contact with the base once you out! You can be put out in the same reach it. Incidentally: you can also over way at all bases to which you are run home plate when scoring a run. FORCED to run (we’ll explain when A dead ball situation. An example of a PART 6: Running the Bases you’re forced to run and when you’re dead ball situation is when the batter not in a moment). swings and hits the ball into Foul Territory. The ball is now considered So you’ve hit the ball, it’s not been Remember – as a base runner you are dead and no play can take place, so if caught in the air by a fielder, it lands fair never until you are touching a base. you have left your base on the swing, and you’re forced to run. You have If at any point you are touched with the you are allowed to walk back to it in now become a BATTER-RUNNER until ball (whether in or out of the glove) by safety prior to the next pitch. Another you reach first base, and a a fielder and you are not safely in common example of a dead ball BASERUNNER thereafter. contact with a base, you are out. This situation is an OVERTHROW. This is is called a TAG. There are two where a ball thrown errantly or missed You are not considered safe – i.e. you exceptions to this rule: by one of the fielders winds up in Dead can’t become a base runner – until you Ball Territory. At this pint, the umpire reach first base without being put out. Over-running first base. As a batter will call the play dead. Any base If any defensive player is holding the ball runner, you don’t have to stop dead on runners are then allowed to walk safely and touches first base with any part of first base. You are allowed to make to the base they were attempting to her body, or the ball itself, before you contact with the base and then run reach at the point when the throw was get there, you are OUT. beyond it in a straight line (so you don’t made, plus one more. Even if a base runner was standing on a base she will award of two additional bases in this when they’re not, and what fielders be awarded the next base she might situation, but that’s the rule! have to do in these situations to put have advanced to, plus one more. Now we’ll look more closely at when runners out. Inexperienced players often dispute the base runners are forced to run and

STEALING defensive player who might be waiting get a FORCE OUT at any base – to tag you. including home plate. Runners may leave a base at any time that the ball is in play. This usually TIPS FOR SLIDING TAG OUTS takes the form of taking a walking lead- Start your about 10 feet from the base. off from the base when the pitcher has Tuck one leg under the other, lean back into You have probably already grasped the the ball (primary lead). The distance a a reclining position, but keep your fists point that fielders must runner 'cheats' away from the base will clenched and your arms up off the ground runners who are not forced to run; (to avoid injuries). Sliding is most fun and vary but is usually about 3-4 steps - simply standing on the base with the least painful on wet grass; it can be a killer enough to be able to safely return to on Astroturf or gravel ! ball won’t do. the base if necessary. When the pitcher pitches the ball to the hitter, Say you are the first batter in the inning the runner may take more of a lead and you hit a DOUBLE (a hit that (secondary). Occasionally, runners will FORCE OUTS allows you to get to second base). attempt to 'steal' a base. The runner When the next batter hits the ball and will take their primary lead and attempt Let’s suppose that you have made it to runs toward first, you don’t’ have to first base safely and now the next to run to the next base when the ball is advance if you don’t want to, because pitched to the batter. It is then up to batter comes up to bat. If the next no one is coming to occupy your base. batter hits the ball into Fair Territory the catcher to attempt to throw to the If you do choose to head for third, you base they are running to in an attempt without it being caught in the air, you are and to put you out, a fielder must to get them out. When stealing a base, are forced to run towards second base tag you with the ball in hand or glove the runner has to be tagged by the because the batter runner is coming to before you reach your target base. In fielder holding the ball. occupy first base and no more than one fact, you can turn around and run back runner per base is allowed. In any to the base you came from if that SLIDING/DIVING situation where you as a base runner seems a wiser choice; no one is coming are forced to advance, the defensive to occupy that base and it’s still yours! team can put you out simply by

throwing the ball to a player standing There is a great deal of skill and

on the base to which you’re advancing. judgement involved in and

This is called a FORCE OUT (or a good runner can often gain an

Force Play). No tag is necessary – advantage by forcing the defensive team

although the fielder can choose to tag to panic and make mistakes. So pay

you while you’re between bases if he attention at all times, run hard and look

wishes. for chances to take extra bases when the defenders make bad throws or Now, let’s suppose you’re a base simply aren’t paying attention. Never runner on first and the next batter hits give up on the possibilities until the a ground ball to the shortstop. You are umpire has called “Time!” and the play forced to run to second, the batter is over. Take nice big lead offs and runner is forced to run to first, and the steal as a chance provides. defensive team has a choice of two possible FORCE OUTS – you or the batter runner. If they’re feeling Suppose you’re on first base with less than two outs and the next batter hits a ball in the air ambitious and there are less than two towards an outfielder. If it is caught without outs, they can go for both you; if touching the ground then the batter-runner will they’re successful, this is called a be out and you are not forced to advance to second anymore. Since the batter runner . Typically, the is out then the force is off. Remember that we said you can shortstop would throw the ball to the overrun first base (or home), but not second base player standing on second Instead, you can choose whether to advance to second or not and so the defensive team can’t second and third, where you can be – that puts you out – and the second get you out with a . They can only tagged out if you’re not in contact with base player would throw immediately get you out by tagging you with the ball: a TAG the base. But running hard and then on to first base. If the throw reaches OUT or Tag Play. That’s why , if the ball is hit the first base player before the batter in the air towards a fielder when you’re a stopping dead on a 17” piece of plastic forced runner, you shouldn’t’ automatically take isn’t easy! runner reaches the base, they too off for the next base, because the catch might would be out. be made and the force removed. One way to do this is to slide or dive Force plays can apply at any base. For AND HERE’S THE KEY POINT: you the last few feet into the base along the cannot advance to the next base on a caught fly example, if there are base runners on ground, so that you come to rest on or ball unless your foot is in contact with the base all three bases (this is called BASES you’re already occupying when the catch is in contact with the base with minimal LOADED), then all the runners are made, or afterwards. This is called TAGGING loss of momentum. Another reason to UP. You must before you can advance forced to run on the net hit that isn’t slide or dive is that you will present a after a caught fly ball. Why? It’s a Rule! caught in the air, and the fielders could smaller and more difficult target for the