If you’re looking for a sport that’s as socially acceptable as football, basketball, or hockey is, baseball might be your thing. It was a craze in the aftermath of America’s bloodiest civil war and remains popular with veterans who played it in the service. Today, it’s a great family activity and has a large and loyal fan base. But the league faces challenges. Youth are increasingly choosing single-sport specialization over team sports, and the game’s popularity is slipping among teens. The league has responded by implementing changes designed to speed up the game and encourage fans to return.
The game’s basic rules are easy to understand. It’s played on a diamond-shaped field with four bases and a home plate. There are three types of balls: a fastball, a curveball, and a changeup. A batter swings at any of these balls and either misses or hits it into foul territory. A hit allows a runner to advance one base and makes him eligible for another when the next batter is up. A run is scored when a runner reaches home.
Each team has nine players on the field and two players in the dugout, where they sit while their teammates play defense. Games are played over nine innings, and the teams switch sides after every inning.
Players practice hitting from a tee or in the on-deck circle (which is just behind the batter’s box). They focus on the fundamentals of the swing: a good load, separation, or stretch; a smooth, controlled weight transfer; and a balanced finish. They also work on a proper grip and a smooth, flat-level swing with minimal head movement.
As the players grow older, they must learn to handle the pressure that can come with a close game. The better they become at handling the stress, the more fun the game will be for them and their fans. They will develop a deeper appreciation for the game and the hard work that it requires to excel.
When a player gets a hit, he runs to first base. He can then run to any of the other bases in order, depending on the situation. A hitter can also score a run by passing the preceding runner on the base paths, or by touching any of the bases in front of him. If a teammate touches the same base as a runner while the ball is still alive, that runner is out.
A double or triple play occurs when a defensive player gets a double or a triple by catching a ball that the batter missed, touching or passing a preceding runner on the bases, or hindering a fielder from making a play. A triple play is very rare, but possible on line drive flyouts or if a runner at second base reaches third base before the batter can get to first base.