Baseball has been known as the "national pastime" since a New York newspaper coined the term in 1856, and yet it can still be a fairly confusing sport to watch for the uninitiated. If you'd like to learn more about the sport so you can enjoy it as a fan, or if you think you might enjoy playing on one of the numerous amateur teams available to adults and kids, don't be intimidated. Baseball, like any other procedure, is easiest to understand if you break it down into a series of steps.
Step 1
Brush up on the rules of baseball, at least the basic ones that govern how the game is played. You can save the obscure ones like the infield fly rule for when you're really an expert. Baseball is played by nine team members at a time, and teams are either at bat or in the field. Games last nine innings, and each inning has two halves--a top half and a bottom half. The home team will take the field for the top half of each inning while the visiting team bats. After the team at bat has recorded three outs, they will take their positions in the field and the home team will go up to bat for the bottom half of the inning. If the game is tied at the end of nine innings, it will go into extra innings until one team is ahead at the conclusion of an inning.
Step 2
Assume a correct batting stance when you come to the plate. Each batter's stance will be slightly different, but generally your feet will be about shoulder-width apart, your knees will be slightly bent, and your weight will be on your back foot so you can step into your swing. Hold your bat with your knuckles lined up, your back elbow up and your bat slightly raised off your shoulder. As you swing, turn your hips, keep your elbows slightly bent and keep your eye on the ball. Try to hit the ball right in the center.
Step 3
Run as fast as you can to first base once you hit the ball. Remember to keep track of the ball as you run and keep an eye on the first base coach. If the ball is not caught by a fielder, you might be able to keep on running to second base (a double), third base (a triple), or if the ball sails out of the park, all the way back to home (a home run). If the ball is caught in the air or caught and thrown to the first baseman before you reach base, you'll be called out. If, however, the pitcher throws four balls, which occurs when the pitcher throws four balls outside of the strike zone and you do not attempt to swing at those bad pitches, you will advance to first base with a walk.
Step 4
Learn the different field positions. These are first base, second base, third base, shortstop, left field, right field, center field, pitcher and catcher. The pitcher stands on an area called the mound and throws the ball to the batter. The catcher assumes a crouching position behind the batter and catches any balls the batter does not hit out into the field. A catcher signals to the pitcher what type of pitch to use, such as a fastball, curve ball or slider. The infielders all cover the territory around their respective bases (first, second and third), with the shortstop covering the territory between second and third base. The outfielders will try to catch any balls that are hit past the infielders, and each outfield position (left field, right field, center field) requires a player with a strong arm to make the long throws back to the infield. While you might find one position that suits your playing ability better than the others, you'll need to have a thorough understanding of what all of your teammates are doing, and the best way to gain this understanding is by spending a little time playing each position..
Tips and Warnings
- Hit off a tee to work on your swing. Batting tees aren't just for small children; professional players use them for practice
Things You'll Need
- Bat
- Batting helmet
- Glove
- Batting tee
References
- Past Time: Baseball as History, Jules Tygiel, 2000
- Baseball Rules: Running Around the Bases
- "Coaching Youth Baseball"; Cal Ripken; 2006
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