BASEBALL COURT

BASEBALL

Batter's Box: The area next to home plate where the batter is stationed when he or she is batting.
Catcher's Box: The area behind home plate where the catcher is.
First Base: The first of four stations on a baseball field that must be touched by the offensive
player in order to score a run.
Foul Line: The line that determines whether a batted ball is fair or foul.
Home Plate: The last of four stations on a baseball field that must be touched by the offensive
player in order to score a run. The Home Plate is also used to determine balls and strikes, as a
strike should be over the plate.
On-Deck Circle: Refers to the two circles behind home plate where the batter who is due up next
warms up.
Pitcher's Mound: The area on the baseball field where the pitcher delivers his or her pitch.
Second Base: The second of four stations on a baseball field that must be touched by the
offensive player in order to score a run.
Third Base: The third of four stations on a baseball field that must be touched by the offensive
player in order to score a run.
 BASEBALL RULES AND REGULATIONS

The rules of baseball can be quite complex. They can be divided up into four sections: 1) the
playing field 2) game structure 3) pitching and hitting 4) getting an out.

Baseball Playing Field

The playing field in baseball is made of an infield and an outfield. The infield is defined by 4
bases that form a square. This square is called the baseball diamond. The bases are called
home plate (this is where the batter stands), first base, second base, and third base. The
runners advance to each base in order. In the middle of the infield is the pitcher mound. The
pitcher must have one foot on the pitcher rubber when throwing a pitch. In a standard baseball
field the distance between each base is 90 feet. The distance from the pitchers mound to home
plate is 60 feet and 6 inches. The lines that are formed between home plate and first base as
well as home plate and third base are the foul lines. These lines extend out to the outfield and,
together with the home run fence, define baseball's outfield.

Baseball Game Structure

A baseball game is defined by outs and innings. A game is usually made up of 9 innings, but
may be less innings at many levels of play. During each inning each baseball team gets a turn
at bat. The home team bats at the bottom of the inning. During a teams turn at bat they get to
keep batting as long as they don't have three outs. Upon getting a third out, either the inning is
over or the other team takes their turn. The winner of the baseball game is the team with the
most runs at the end of the final inning. A run is scored for each player who safely crosses
home plate. If the game is tied another inning is played until there is a winner.

Baseball Pitching and Hitting

Each "at bat" in a game starts with a pitch. The pitcher throws the ball over home plate in an
effort to get a strike. A strike is when the baseball is pitched over the area of home plate, above
the batter's knees, and below the batter's belt. This "strike zone", however, is up to the
interpretation of the umpire calling the game. A strike also takes place when the batter swings at
the baseball and misses it entirely, regardless of the location of the pitch. A strike also is called
when a batter hits the ball foul. A foul ball only counts as a first or second strike. Any fouls after
the second strike, do not count as balls or strikes. A pitch that is not a strike and is not swung at
by the batter is called a ball. If the pitcher throws 4 balls, the batter gets to advance to first base.
This is called a walk. If the pitcher throws 3 strikes, the batter is out.

If the batter hits the baseball within the field of play, he then tries to advance on the bases.

Getting an Out

Once the batter hits the baseball in play, the batter becomes a base runner. The defensive
team, or fielders, try to get the base runner out before he/she can get to the safety of a base.
The first goal is to catch the baseball before it hits the ground. If the fielders do this, the batter is
out and all other base runners must return to their original base before they are tagged, or they
will be out. Once the ball touches the ground in play, then the fielders must get the baseball and
try to tag base runners or "force" them out. A force out is when the base runner has nowhere
else to go but to the next base. This is always the case with the batter and first base. In the case
of a force out, the defenders do not have to tag the runner, but just have a foot on the base and
control of the ball prior to the base runner touching the base.

To tag a runner out, the defensive player must tag the runner with the baseball or with the glove
that is holding the baseball.

An out can be achieved at any time there is a base runner. If a base runner tries to steal a base
or has a big lead off of the base, the pitcher or catcher may be able to throw them out. In this
case, they need to tag the runner.

EQUIPMENT
Baseball Ball

The ball used in baseball is between 9 and 9.25 inches in circumference. It

weighs between 5 and 5.25 ounces. The ball is made with a cork center which
is then wrapped tightly with thread and covered with leather.

Many times, a softer ball is used in youth leagues. This is called a RIF (Reduced Injury Factor)
baseball.

Baseball Bat

The bat is used to hit the baseball. There are different sizes and types of bats. In youth, little
league, high school, and college baseball most players use an aluminum or composite bat. In
the Major Leagues players can only use bats made from wood. The most popular type of
wooden bat is the Louisville Slugger which is made of ash trees.

Bat Drop

Youth baseball leagues play with different size bats based on the age group. One general
requirement is the bat drop. The bat drop is the difference between the length of the bat (inches)
and the weight of the bat (ounces). For example, a 34 inch bat that weighs 29 ounces has a
drop of -5.

Check with your league on the maximum bat drop you can have before you go and purchase a
bat. In Tee-ball and younger youth leagues the bat drop can sometimes be as much as minus
13. In high school the bat drop is minus 3.

It's important to choose a bat that the player is comfortable with. Taller players will generally use
longer and heavier bats.
Glove

The baseball glove is designed to help catch the ball and protect your
hand. You wear the glove on the opposite of your throwing hand. So if
you throw with your right hand, you wear your glove on your left hand.

Gloves are made of leather and have webbing between the thumb and
forefinger. This webbing is where the ball is caught most of the time.

Types of Gloves

Younger players use smaller gloves that fit their hands better. Youth baseball players usually
use a 9-11 inch glove. If they mostly play infield, they will use a smaller glove like a 9 inch. If
they play outfield, then a larger glove like an 11 inch.

Catchers use a special type of glove called a catcher's mitt. These gloves have extra padding
and extra wide webbing. First basemen often use a special first base glove as well. They are
longer and thinner than an outfielder's glove and designed to snag high or outside throws to
first.

Hat and Helmet

Baseball hats are used to help keep the sun out of your eyes. They are very popular outside of
the sport of baseball. You will see them on the sidelines of football, at a golf tournament, or just
at school or the mall.

The helmet is important and is used to protect the batter's head from a wild pitch. You should
always wear a helmet when batting whether you are playing a serious game or just practicing or
messing around.

Uniform

The baseball uniform consists of baseball pants, a jersey, and the baseball cap. Sometimes
socks may be part of the uniform as well. It's usually a good idea to wear long pants for baseball
so you don't get scraped up when sliding into base.

Cleats

Baseball players wear cleats when playing. Cleats help to keep you from slipping when batting
and fielding a ball.

Catcher's Gear

Catchers wear special gear while playing. They need lots of protection as pitches can come in
very fast. Even if you are great at catching a ball, you can't control when the batter may tip the
ball and, in that case, you will not be able to protect yourself. Wearing protective equipment as a
catcher is a must!

Catchers should wear a full set of protective gear including masks, helmets, shin guards, chest
guards, cups, and neck protectors. Be sure to have your coach check your gear and make sure
it is on properly before you play.