Baseball is America’s pastime, a game of strategy and athleticism that has captivated the country for more than a century. The sport’s rich history has provided a backdrop for significant social change, from the integration of major league teams to the emergence of African-American stars like Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron. In addition to its entertainment value, baseball has been a source of national pride and a symbol of unity during times of turmoil.
The game of baseball involves an eight-person team from each opposing side. One team, the defensive side, occupies various positions in the field, while the other, the offensive side, stands in batting position at home plate. To score, the batter must hit a ball thrown by the pitcher to a location out of reach of the fielders, allowing him or her to run around the bases and return to home plate before the other team catches him or her.
The ball must settle in fair territory, which includes all areas of the playing field within four feet from the first base line and three feet from the third base line perpendicular to it. The batter must also avoid stepping on any bases before running back to home. A runner is declared “safe” when the umpire declares that he or she has not been touched by any defensive player and has not crossed over any baseline in his or her route to the next base.
In recent years, MLB has implemented a number of changes to the rules to promote offense and attract more fans. For example, the oversized baseballs used since 2014 allow batted balls to travel farther than before. Whether the larger ball is actually improving hitters’ performances remains unclear, but it could be changing the way teams invest in pitching and hitting.
Writing a baseball essay requires the use of clear and concise language to ensure that the reader understands all the important details. Avoid jargon and cliches, which are signs of imprecise writing. Instead, write using a more conversational tone that is less formal. For example, use “batting average” rather than “batting total.” Also, avoid describing a game with statistics that have been reported before. For example, do not describe a team’s performance as “the best ever” or as “unbelievable.” Instead, provide context for these claims with facts and statistics. This will give the reader a better idea of what you are discussing and help to keep your argument on point. For more information, see How to Write a Sports Essay.