Baseball hitting is the primary offensive weapon for ever team or baseball player. A baseball hitter should develop the ability to hit for power and home runs, or the ability to hit the ball into the open field to get on base. Baseball hitters must follow the rules of the game or risk being given out or ejected by the baseball umpire.
Hitting Order
Baseball hitters must bat in an order that is designated prior to a game. A baseball hitting order runs one through nine and cycles through. The baseball hitting order may not be switched during a game. A substitute takes the spot in the hitting lineup of the baseball player he replaces.
Batter's Box
A baseball hitter must promptly take up his position in the batter's box promptly when it is his turn at bat. A baseball player is not allowed to leave the batter's box during the pitcher's wind up or motion. A batter may request a timeout to leave the batter's box if the pitcher is not in his motion. A timeout for a batter is awarded at the discretion of the baseball umpire. A hitter may leave the batter's box during a timeout for the fielding team.
Strikes and Balls
A hitter is allowed three strikes. The strike zone goes from the knee to the shoulder of a hitter, and extends as wide as a normal swing. The umpire calls a strike if a pitch goes through to the catcher and is adjudged to have crossed through the strike zone. A strike is also called when a player swings at and misses a pitch during an at bat. A swing and miss results in a strike regardless of the pitch location. A pitch that misses the strike zone and the hitter does not swing at is called a ball. After four balls the baseball hitter is allowed to walk to first base. The hitter is also allowed to walk to first base if he is hit by a pitch during the at bat.
Outs
A player is given out if three strikes are thrown during an at bat. A hitter is also out if a batted ball is caught by a member of the fielding team before the ball hits the ground. A hitter is also given out if when he is running to a base he is beaten there by a member of the fielding team who touches the base while holding the ball.
Scoring and Base Running
When a batted ball is hit in fair play the baseball hitter must run to first base. A player is allowed to run as far as possible around the bases while the ball remains in live play. A run is scored when a player rounds the bases and returns to home plate. A home run is scored if a batted ball is hit over the outfield wall in fair play territory.
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