Baseball is a sport played between two teams of nine players, with each team trying to score points (also known as runs) by running around four bases while preventing their opponents from doing so. Batters on the offensive team try to hit balls thrown by the pitcher as far and skillfully as possible. The defensive players attempt to catch and field the balls and throw them to teammates at the right time to prevent runners from advancing to the next base.
The game was invented in the mid- to late-18th century in America, probably by a former army officer named Abner Doubleday, according to legend. The story goes that he was inspired by watching Native American games in which young men would hit a ball with a stick. Doubleday then made some improvements and invented the modern game of baseball. The rules of the game are complicated but the fundamentals are simple. The game is played on a diamond-shaped dirt field with home plate at the center. First base is 90 feet to the right of home plate, third base is 90 feet to the left and second base is between them. A pitching mound, or dirt platform, is positioned behind the home plate. A pitcher stands on the mound and delivers the ball to batters who aim for home plate, attempting to hit the ball as far and high as possible.
Hitting is the hardest part of the game but with practice it can be mastered. The bats used in the game are long, flexible sticks with a knob at the end. A batting cage is the best place to learn how to hit a ball, but if you don’t have access to one you can use a tennis ball or a whiffle ball. First, you’ll need to stretch a little, then get a partner and start throwing the ball back and forth. Be sure not to throw it underhand or side arm; this is bad for the arm. Try to keep your partner at least 10-15ft away and only throw it overhand for now. After a while, slowly increase the distance and then practice catching the ball. Once you’ve mastered that, start throwing the ball to your partner while running! This takes some practice, but is a good way to get your legs moving and to work on your timing.
Defense is key in baseball, as is playing as a team. Shortstops defend the area between second and third base and must be quick to make difficult plays on ground balls. Third basemen must have strong arms for throwing to other bases and catching fly balls in the outfield.
Attending local Little League or college matches is a great way to observe the basics of baseball firsthand. Take notes and listen to commentary to gain more insight into the game. Watching professional baseball games is even better and can help you learn more about player movements, defensive positioning and offensive strategies.