How To Play Baseball For Children

For many children, playing baseball is an enjoyable experience. The joy of hitting a baseball or catching a fly ball can create memories and a lifetime love of the sport. However, learning how to play the game is anything but easy. It takes skill to hit a round ball with a round bat squarely. Catching a baseball takes coordination and courage, while learning to throw is a combination of hand placement, fine motor control and arm strength.

Step 1

Stand in the batter's box with your front foot facing the pitcher. Hold the bat over your back shoulder, and grip the bat firmly. Bend your knees so you can transfer your weight easily from your back leg to your front leg. Concentrate on watching the ball in the pitcher's hand. As the pitch comes in, bring the bat forward and try to hit the ball just as it is about to enter the strike zone. Don't be discouraged; it takes a lot of practice to become a good hitter.

Step 2

Bring your hand over your head in order to throw the ball. Place your forefinger and your middle finger over the top of the ball and your thumb on the bottom. Bring the ball to ear level. Step forward with your left foot--if you are right-handed--and then snap your right wrist to throw the ball. Bring your right foot around to follow through and help the ball stay on track.

Step 3

Use two hands to catch the ball. Once you catch the ball in your glove hand, put your throwing hand over the ball to secure it in the glove. If the ball is coming at waist level or below, point your glove fingers toward the ground. If the ball is coming in at waist level or above, turn the fingers of your glove toward the sky. This gives you the best chance of catching the ball.

Step 4

Learn the rules of the game; knowing the rules helps you play better and enjoy the game more. Understand that there are three outs in an inning, there are nine players on the field and you get three strikes before you are out. Four balls make a walk. The team that scores the most runs wins. There is no time limit. The game of baseball is all about scoring runs before the third out of an inning.

Tips and Warnings

Practice all your skills in order to improve. Nobody is an excellent baseball player right from the start. You need a lot of at-bats and a lot of chances in the field in order to develop the skills you need to become a good baseball player.