The game of baseball is a complex and fascinating sport. Its history is rife with tinkering and change, but the basics remain the same today. If you are a casual fan or just starting to learn about the game, here is a guide to help you understand it better.
There are two teams of nine players each in baseball. The fielding team is made up of a pitcher, catcher, first baseman, second baseman, shortstop and third baseman, along with three outfielders at left field, centre field and right field.
The pitcher throws the ball towards home plate where the catcher squats to catch it. The batter then swings at the ball to put it in play. The eight fielders then try to catch the ball or throw it out (more on this later) so that the hitter can’t get on base and score a run for his team.
A hitter can also “walk” to first base if the umpire calls four pitches that are outside the strike zone during his at bat. This is known as a “base on balls.” If the hitter does not swing at the next pitch and misses it, he gets another walk. This continues until the hitter gets three strikes, at which point he is out and the team can start fresh with a new batter.
If the batting team is ahead by one or more runs, the team can load up all of its runners on the bases. This is called “loading the bases.” If a fair ball is hit while the bases are loaded, the team will be awarded four runs (one for each runner on base). This is a huge boost to any team’s chances of winning.
To win a baseball game, the batting team must score more points than the fielding team through 9 innings of play. If there is a tie, extra innings may be played until a winner is determined.
If you are a baseball fan, you should try to follow your favourite team for the entire season. This will help you learn the lingo and strategies, and it will make you more invested in the games. Plus, if you stick with the team for the whole season, you will be able to watch the games even when they aren’t playing at the stadium closest to your home. So give it a try – who knows, you might just become a lifelong fan!