Baseball is America’s national pastime, and the game has a long history of being played in many different ways. The sport has grown to have 30 professional teams in the Major Leagues, split into two leagues, the National and American Leagues. It also has many minor leagues with more than 250 teams in the United States and Canada. Whether you’re looking for an essay topic or simply want to share your passion for the game, there is no shortage of things to write about.
The game is played between two opposing teams of nine players. A player on the defensive team, called the pitcher, stands on a raised platform, called the mound, and throws the ball to the batter. The batter must hit the ball, and if he successfully hits it, runs around the field, passing 3 points called bases before returning to home plate. If he successfully makes the rounds without getting tagged out, his team earns a point.
A player who hits the ball in such a way that it flies into foul territory (a rectangle defined by the batter and an umpire) is out. In some cases, the ball may even be knocked over the outfield wall or into a crowd in the stands, and still be considered a catch if it’s in fair territory when it falls to the ground. A fielder can also put out a runner by touching him with the ball while he isn’t on a base.
The rules of baseball are complex and have evolved over time to accommodate the changing needs of the game. Traditionally, teams were amateur, but after the American Civil War, commercial interests began to take over the game, and the first all-professional teams emerged. In 1903, the first World Series was held.
In addition to determining the division champion, the overall winner of each league is determined by a playoff between the top two teams. The winners of the two playoffs then compete in a best-of-seven games series to determine the World Series champion.
Writing an essay on baseball can be challenging, but if you narrow your focus to a critical moment in the game, such as a walk-off home run or a last-inning comeback, your paper will have a compelling story that will grab your reader’s attention. You could also focus on a specific player or event, such as the first time you watched a game at Yankee Stadium or Wrigley Field.
Once you’ve chosen your angle, it’s time to start researching and writing. The most important aspect of writing any essay is finding a strong subject, and when it comes to baseball, the options are limitless. Choosing a subject that holds personal significance can help to keep your interest in the work high, and it’s always a good idea to pick a subject you have some background knowledge on. This will allow you to write with authority about the subject. For example, if you’re writing about the first game played at Fenway Park, you should have some familiarity with the history of the stadium and its famous fans.