Part 1: The Basic Game third on your way around and wait for the next batter to hit. Alternatively the runner Baseball 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 batting 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 OUT, 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 CATCHER, 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 inning 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 innings. 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 run 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 HOME RUN), you’ll probably have to stop at first, second or Part 2: The Playing Area infield 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 OUTFIELD 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 DEAD BALL 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 double 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 pitch 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 catch 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 base on balls 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 shortstop (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.