If you are a fan of the game of baseball, then chances are that you love goofiness, bat flips and brawls. You might also marvel at how random chance can yield hilarity in the form of a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, to win the World Series.
While these are all wonderful reasons to enjoy the game, there is more strategy to the sport than meets the eye. It is a sport that teaches kids about the laws of physics, while also bringing together fans in a communal environment, where they can discuss the game. The game has a lot to teach us about the economy, and how a well-executed plan can pay off.
The game is played between two teams, each made up of 9 players. Each inning lasts for three outs and each team alternates between batting and fielding. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.
A baseball is made out of a leather ball covered in 108 hand-stitched stitches. The ball is a little bigger than a basketball and weighs around 5 to 5 1/4 ounces. Its shape is a little bit more rounded than a golf ball and has red stitching. The catcher, who stands behind the batter and catches any missed balls, wears a glove with extra padding along with leg guards, a chest protector and a helmet.
There is a small area of the field called the strike zone, which is defined by a triangle extending from home plate to the catcher’s knees and up through the middle of the body. A player can be called out on a fielding error if the ball hits them in this triangle, or by catching the ball in foul territory. Players can also be called out for running past their base, failing to touch a base or being tagged while trying to reach one.
As of 2018, there are 30 Major League Baseball (MLB) teams. These are organized into two leagues: the American League and the National League. MLB also maintains an international league, the World Baseball Classic.
From about the mid-20th century, until recently, baseball’s claim to be America’s pastime rested on shakier ground than ever. It faced potent competition from other professional sports and the massive shift of Americans to at-home entertainment. Player strikes, free agency and disparities in competitiveness all contributed to declining attendance and a general decline in the quality of the game. The steroid era, a period of time in the late 1900s and early 2000s in which players used performance-enhancing drugs, further undermined the legitimacy of the game. But there are signs that the sport is rebounding. There are more young people coming to games, and the stadiums are getting nicer. The number of players is increasing as well, and the revenue streams are expanding. And, of course, there are the viral videos of a few famous fans showing their love for the game.