During pre-professional days, baseball balls were handmade by cobblers. They were made from the leftover rubber from old shoes and wrapped in yarn. Sometimes, they were even adorned with sturgeon eyes. Baseball balls made during the 1840s and ’50s were not exact measurements, so pitchers often had to make them themselves. These balls often had some variation in size and weight due to the hand-made process and regional differences.
The ultimate goal of the game is to score as many runs as possible. Runs can be scored through base hits, walks, and home runs. To score runs, players must hit the ball hard and run fast. They also need to know how to make smart base-running plays. Coaches at first base and third base often provide advice to players on how to play the position. The team with the most runs wins the game. Here are some important terms you should know.
Hits are the number of times a batter has reached base safely. This does not include sacrifices and walks. Doubles and triples are considered two separate stats. Home runs are scored when the batter has reached home base. Runs batted in refers to how many times a batter has contributed to the team’s score. Stolen bases refer to how many times a base runner has advanced without the help of an outfielder.
In order to win a baseball game, a team must outscore the opposition in nine innings. If the scores are tied, the game continues to extra innings. The winning team is the one with the most points after nine innings. However, baseball games can also be forfeited, and the non-forfeited team is declared the winner. Most baseball games consist of nine innings. You can learn more about baseball by watching our video.
Each team has a unique role in the game. The batting team is the ‘attacking’ team and tries to hit the ball out of the defensive players’ reach the plate. The fielding team tries to prevent runs by putting runners or batters “out” (striking).
The outfield positions on a baseball field are designated by the team. Infielders stand on either side of home plate and are called “infielders.” The outfielders are called “outfielders” and stand in different positions on the field between plays. Shifting of fielders may be necessary for many reasons, including defensively. Because some batters can only hit the ball in certain directions, it makes double plays easier. However, it is important to note that baseball games can be a stressful game, and the umpires need to be prepared for any situation.
Each player is allowed four balls at-bats. A strike is defined as any ball that touches a batter’s body part. A strike is a strike if it hits the batter’s glove, leg, or knee. Any third strike is a strike. The pitcher’s strike zone is marked by a yellow circle, and a third strike is a strike. If a batter misses a pitch, he is out and awarded first base.