Baseball for Dummies:
- The teams: Baseball is played by two teams of nine players each. The teams take turns playing offense (batting) and defense (fielding).
- The field: Baseball is played on a diamond-shaped field, with bases at each corner. The pitcher’s mound is located in the center of the diamond, and home plate is located at the back corner of the diamond.
- The ball: Baseball is played with a leather-covered ball that is approximately 9 inches in diameter.
- The bat: Baseball players use a wooden or metal bat to hit the ball.
- The objective: The objective of baseball is to score runs by advancing around the bases and crossing home plate.
- Starting the game: The game begins with the visiting team taking the field and the home team batting.
- Scoring: A run is scored when a player advances around all the bases and crosses home plate. The team with the most runs at the end of the game wins.
- Pitching: The pitcher throws the ball to the batter, and the batter tries to hit the ball. If the batter hits the ball, he becomes a runner and tries to advance around the bases.
- Fielding: The defense tries to catch the ball and get the runner out by tagging him with the ball or throwing the ball to a player standing on a base.
- Innings: Baseball is divided into innings, which are completed when both teams have had a turn at batting and fielding. A standard game is nine innings, but some leagues play extra innings until a winner is determined.
These are the basic rules of baseball, but like all sports, there are many nuances and variations to the game. To fully understand the game and its strategies, it’s best to watch and learn from experienced players and coaches. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, baseball is a great sport to enjoy with friends and family.