Baseball, one of the most popular games in the United States--as well as in Japan--is, like any other sport, dictated by rules. Fortunately, the rules of baseball are not especially complicated; understanding the basics can make it possible for you to start playing the game, as well as enjoy watching it at the ballpark or on TV.
Defense
The team on the field is made up of nine players. Three of these cover the outfield, or area beyond the diamond: the right-fielder, the center-fielder and the left-fielder. In the infield, a first baseman, a second baseman and a third baseman cover their respective bases (with the second baseman generally playing somewhere between first and second), plus a shortstop playing between second and third. The pitcher stands on the pitcher's mound, in the center of the diamond. Finally, the catcher plays behind home plate, to catch pitches.
Offense
The team on offense, or "at bat," takes turns, one and a time, stepping up to homeplate with a baseball bat, attempting to hit the balls pitched by the pitcher. If a successful hit is made, the batter runs to first base, where she is "safe." She can run further if she wants to--all the way to second base, third base or all the way around the diamond back to home plate (the latter being a home run). Batters "on base" continue to attempt to make their way from base to base when teammates hit the ball, too. Returning to home plate after successfully rounding all bases results in a "run."
Outs
The fielding team must remain on the field until three outs have been achieved. There are many ways to get an out. Three strikes (missed swings at the ball, or unhit but good pitches, as determined by the umpire) results in an out. Catching the baseball before it touches the ground results in an out. Runners are out if they are tagged by a fielder in possession of the ball or don't make it to a base before a fielder with the ball does. Three outs signals a change, with the batting team now becoming the fielding team and vice versa.
Balls
A ball is like the opposite of a strike. When a bad pitch is thrown and the batter opts not to swing at it, a ball results. If four balls are thrown before three strikes or a hit, the batter gets to walk unmolested to first base. If a runner is already on first, that runner gets to walk to second, and so on.
Structure
The game of baseball is broken down into nine innings, with one team playing in the field (defense) and the other team playing at bat (offense) once per inning.
Winning
The winner is the team with the most runs after completing nine innings. Extra innings may be necessary in the case of a tie after nine innings.
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