Baseball is a sport in which teams of players try to score by running along bases and hitting a ball. It was invented in the United States, but it’s roots go back to the American Civil War. The game was adopted from a British game known as “rounders” and the first major league team was formed in 1845. However, the game was not widely played until the mid-19th century.
In baseball, each team at bat consists of three members: a batter, a catcher and a pitcher. Each player plays a specific role on the team. Among the most common positions are the hitter, shortstop, pitcher and catcher. There are also nine defensive players, including the first baseman, second baseman, third baseman and right fielder.
After three outs, the batting team must be replaced. This is called a double play. A triple is when the batter safely runs to third base. Also, a home run is when the batter hits the ball over the first and second bases. Other terms include stolen base and doubles. A walk is a free pass to first base.
When a team is at bat, they will generally stay at bat for half an inning. At the end of the inning, they may be forced out, which is when the other team tags the runner with the ball. For this reason, many coaches have adopted the “opener” strategy, which means that the hitter goes up to bat first.
If the hitter strikes the ball, the pitch is called a strike. A foul is when the ball is hit outside the foul lines. The player can still be struck by a foul up until the third strike.
A runner is a base runner who is returning to the base. A tag out is when the runner is tagged with the ball before the ground. To prevent this, a player must tag up at the base before the ball hits the ground.
If the runner gets caught, the team must make a play at the base, usually with the aid of the fielder. During a catcher’s relay, the ball is passed to the catcher. With the assistance of the fielder, the runner can touch the base. Afterward, the offensive player can round the bases and score.
An umpire is in charge of determining the strike zone. This is the area on the playing field directly over the home plate. The umpire also calls the ball “strike” when the pitch is inside the zone.
In the late 19th century, the sport of baseball was growing in popularity. By the early 1900s, it was recognized as the national game of the United States. But it still faced serious competition from other professional sports, such as football. Some historians believe that the sport’s popularity was aided by the nationalistic sentiment that helped make baseball “America’s game.”
The game is divided into innings. Each inning has three outs. One team will win if the other team is unable to score during the inning. Alternatively, the game can be forfeited.