At its simplest, baseball is the ongoing story of 30 clubs battling to get all the best players and then trying not to screw it up. But there’s so much more to it than that. It’s the tale of a game that has become deeply culturally resonant, one with a rich history that continues to evolve even as it tries to keep up with a changing world.
Whether you’re a casual fan or an obsessive, this sport will fascinate you. It’s not only the game itself, but how it’s played – how the rules are interpreted, what makes a good hitter, a good pitcher, and how a whole team comes together for nine innings to win a game.
The game is played on a field that’s roughly 90 feet by 60, with four bases spaced about 90 feet apart. There’s also a pitching mound, home plate, and a team of nine fielding players on each side. Each player has a particular position – a pitcher, catcher, first baseman, second baseman, shortstop, third baseman, and outfielders at left field, centre field, and right field.
There are no time limits in a baseball game, and the teams continue playing until all nine innings have run their course. As a result, there’s always something new to see: the game’s endless possibilities play out pitch after pitch.
The fielding players wear protective gear to minimize injuries. In addition to a glove and cleats, the catcher wears mitts (which are basically oversized gloves), leg guards, body pads, and a helmet. The bats used in the game can be made of wood or aluminium, and are usually about 34 inches long. The ball is white and has red stitching.
A batter gets a point for each hit that makes it into play. The game is won by the team with the most points after nine innings have been played.
If a batter hits the ball and it’s caught before it bounces, they’re out. But if they don’t swing at the ball and it’s within a certain zone, called the strike zone, then it’s a strike. If a batter gets three strikes, they’re out.
There are a lot of strategies to improve as a hitter, but the most important is to believe in your abilities & be aggressive at the plate. The most efficient hitters have a soft eye-gaze with minimal head movement, and balance at the point of contact. They also transfer their power from the lower body to the upper body, resulting in a strong, consistent swing. If you can learn to do these things, you’ll be able to get better at the game, too.