BASEBALL

Brief history
For hundreds of years people in many parts of the world have
played “bat and ball” games. In these games, a player on one team
throws a ball and a player on the other team tries to hit the ball with a
bat and score runs.
In the 18th century, many people from Great Britain and Europe
travelled to the new colonies in North America to settle. These settlers
took along traditional games that their families had been playing for
generations, including several bat and ball games such as Ireland’s
rounders and Germany’s “schlagball”. During the 18 th and 19th centuries,
new variations like “town ball”, “goal ball” and “round ball” appeared.
Each form of the game has its followers, but none really dominated until
the 1840s when New York fireman Alexander Joy Cartwright helped
developed a new variation of “town ball” called “baseball”.

In 1871 the first professional league, the National Association of

Professional Base Ball Players, was founded. Five years later,
the National League was created; it was followed by the American
League in 1901. The first World Series between the champions of the two
major leagues was held in 1903, and by 1905 it became an annual event.

Baseball early in the 20th century was characterized by low-

scoring games, but the dead-ball era ended in the early 1920s with rule
changes and the rise of power hitter Babe Ruth. The major leagues had a
color barrier that lasted until 1947, when Jackie Robinson made his
debut. The major leagues began the process of expansion in 1961 and
attendance increased from the mid-1970s to 1994, when a work
stoppage led to the cancellation of the World Series.

Basic skills
 Baseball requires a high degree of skill to play well. Athletic ability will
help a player compete with other top players, but the specific skills of hitting,
throwing and catching the baseball require significant work and practice to
acquire.
Throwing
Throwing is the most basic skill in baseball. It allows the team to prevent
their opponents from touching bases or even earning points or runs. Style and
technique in doing it differ from player to player.
Pitching
Pitching is a skill that put the game to play. It is performed by a pitcher,
one of the key players in baseball who stay at the center of the playing field
called diamond.
Catching
This is a defensive skill used to receive a thrown ball and hold a base
runner or batter from proceeding or prevent the opponent from earning a point
or a run. In baseball, a catch occurs when a fielder gains secure possession of
a batted ball in flight, and maintains possession until he voluntarily or
intentionally releases the ball.
Hitting or Batting
The aspect of baseball that draws many young players to the game is the
idea of hitting a baseball squarely. In order to hit the ball consistently, a batter
must take a solid stance in the batter’s box with his left shoulder-for a right-
handed hitter-facing the pitcher. This is an offensive skill used to strike the
pitched ball using a bat. It is done to advance to the bases and eventually lead
to earning a run or point.
Running or Base Running.
This is a very important skill you need to master because it allows you to
advance safely from one base to other with full speed and agility.
Equipment
Sports safety equipment and gear may sometimes look a little bit odd or
unfashionable, but using the right protective safety gear for your sport is
essential for preventing serious injuries or reducing the severity of an injury
you may receive
Bat
 A rounded, solid wooden or hollow aluminum bat. Wooden bats are
traditionally made from ash wood, though maple and bamboo is also
sometimes used. Aluminum bats are not permitted in professional leagues, but
are frequently used in amateur leagues. Composite bats are also available,
essentially wooden bats with a metal rod inside. Bamboo bats are also
becoming popular.
Ball
The ball shall be a sphere formed by yarn wound around a small
core of cork, rubber or similar material, covered with two strips of white
horsehide or cowhide, tightly stitched together. It shall weigh not less than five
nor more than 5¼ ounces avoirdupois and measure not less than nine nor
more than 9¼ inches in circumference.
No player shall intentionally discolor or damage the ball by rubbing it with soil,
rosin, paraffin, licorice, sand-paper, emery-paper or other foreign substance.
Or else the umpire shall demand the ball and remove the offender from the
game. In addition, the offender shall be suspended automatically for 10 games.
Gloves
Leather gloves worn by players in the field. Long fingers and a webbing
between the thumb and first finger allow the fielder to catch the ball more
easily. Catcher’s mitt

The catcher may wear a leather mitt not more than thirty-eight inches in
circumference, nor more than fifteen and one-half inches from top to bottom.
Such limits shall include all lacing and any leather band or facing attached to
the outer edge of the mitt. The space between the thumb section and the finger
section of the mitt shall not exceed six inches at the top of the mitt and four
inches at the base of the thumb crotch.

The web shall measure not more than seven inches across the top or
more than six inches from its top to the base of the thumb crotch. The web
may be either a lacing, lacing through leather tunnels, or a center piece of
leather which may be an extension of the palm, connected to the mitt with
lacing and constructed so that it will not exceed any of the above-mentioned
measurements.
The first baseman’s Mitt
Leather mitt worn by first baseman. It is longer and wider are connected
and the glove is rounded like a catcher’s mitt. A first baseman’s mitt has a bit
more padding than a standard fielder’s glove.
Batting Gloves
Gloves often worn on one or both hands by the batter. They offer
additional grip and eliminate some of the shock when making contact with the
ball.
Batting Helmet
A helmet worn by batter to protect the head and the ear facing the
pitcher from the ball. Professional models have only one ear protector (left ear
for right-handed batters, right ear for lefties), amateur and junior helmets
usually have ear protectors on both sides, for better protection from loose balls,
and to reduce costs to teams (all players can use the same style of helmet).

Cap
Hat worn by all players. Designed to shade the eyes from the sun, this
hat design has become popular with the general public.
Catcher’s helmet
Protective helmet with face mask worn by the catcher. Newer styles
feature a fully integrated helmet mask, similar to a hockey goalie mask.

Jockstrap with cup pocket

Jockstrap with cup pocket also called jock or athletic supporter. An
undergarment worn by boys and men for support of the testicles and penis
during sports. A jockstrap by itself holds the testicles up and close to the body
to help keep them from being squished between the thighs, or from twisting or
hanging out. The jockstrap with a cup pocket contains a pocket to hold a
protective cup.

Protective cup
 It is also called a baseball cup, box, athletic cup – made of hard impact-
resistant plastic or light metal, often with flexible sides for comfort and
protection, designed to protect the testicles and groin from impact of a
baseball, baseball bat, cleats, or any other moving object. Absolutely required
for catchers, pitchers, and often all infielders.
Pelvic protector
It provides groin to protection for females against impact.

Uniform
Shirt and pants worn by all players, coaches and managers. Each team
generally has a unique pattern of colors and designs. Traditionally, the home
team’s uniform is predominantly white with the team’s nickname, and the
visiting team’s is predominantly gray with the team’s city.

Sliding shorts
Padded supports shorts sometimes worn to protect the thighs when the
player slides into the bases. Some sliding shorts contain a pocket for a
protective cup. This is so the player does not have to wear a jockstrap and
sliding shorts at the same time.
Baseball cleats
Baseball specific shoes worn by the player for better traction. The cleats
themselves are either rubber or metal.
Baseball doughnut or Bat weight
It is a weighted ring that fits over the end of a baseball bat, used for
warming up during baseball game. A doughnut can help increase bat speed.

Rules of the game

 Baseball has two teams of 9 players.

 The fielding team’s positions are made up of a pitcher, catcher, first
baseman, second baseman, shortstop, third baseman, and three
outfielders at left field, center field and right field.
 Games last for 9 innings of which both teams get to bat once. If the game
is a tie after 9 innings, then an extra inning will be added until a winner
is found. If the team batting second in the bottom of the 9th inning are
already ahead in points, then they do not need to complete their batting
innings.
  Once a batting order is picked, then it cannot be changed throughout the
game. Substitutes are permitted; however, they must bat in the order of
the previous player whom they replaced.
 If the batter manages to hit the ball from the pitcher, they must make an
effort to at least get to first base. They can then run to as many bases as
they wish before being tagged out. Each base must be touched with some
part of the batter’s body when running past.
 A batter gets up to three strikes before getting out. A strike is deemed
when a batter swings for a ball and misses it. The batter can leave the
ball but, if it’s within a certain area (called the 'strike zone'), then a strike
will also be given. If four balls miss the strike zone and the batter does
not swing their bat, they can walk to first base.
 When on base, the batter can run to the next base at any point.
 Players can be dismissed by either a 'strike out' (referring to a batsman
missing the ball three times), 'force out' (when a player fails to make the
base before the defensive player), 'fly out' (when the ball is hit in the air
and caught without it bouncing), and 'tag outs' (where a defensive player
with the ball tags the batsman with the ball all whilst they are running).

How to score

To score, a batter must hit the ball with the bat into the designated
fielding area and make it around all four bases (before the fielding team is able
to collect the ball and throw it to the base the batter is running to). A player
can score a mandatory point if they hit a home run, which usually means the
ball has left the playing area, often landing in the crowd. A player can stop at
any base if they feel they might not make it to the next base before being
tagged out.

Players can score multiple points from one hit if more than one player is
already on one of the bases. When you hear the phrase 'the bases are loaded',
this refers to the instance where there is a player on every base. So, every time
a batter successfully makes it to first base, the other players on the second and
third bases are able to trickle home, earning a point for their team each time.
Depending on how many players get around to home plate before being tagged
will depend on how many points you score. A maximum of four points can be
scored on one hit.

To win a game, you must outscore your opposition through the 9 innings
played. The team with the most points after 9 innings is deemed the winner. In
the event of a tie, extra innings are played until a winner has been concluded.
Play area

Layout of the Field

The infield shall be a 90-foot square. The outfield shall be the area
between two foul lines formed by extending two sides of the square. The
distance from home base to the nearest fence, stand or other obstruction on
fair territory shall be 250 feet or more. A distance of 320 feet or more along the
foul lines, and 400 feet or more to center field is preferable. The infield shall be
graded so that the base lines and home plate are level. The pitcher’s plate shall
be 10 inches above the level of home plate. The degree of slope from a point 6
inches in front of the pitcher’s plate to a point 6 feet toward home plate shall be
1 inch to 1 foot, and such degree of slope shall be uniform. The infield and
outfield, including the boundary lines, are fair territory and all other area is
foul territory.
It is desirable that the line from home base through the pitcher’s plate to
second base shall run East-Northeast.
It is recommended that the distance from home base to the backstop,
and from the base lines to the nearest fence, stand or other obstruction on foul
territory shall be 60 feet or more.
Home Base
Home base shall be marked by a five-sided slab of whitened rubber. It
shall be a 17-inch square with two of the corners removed so that one edge is
17 inches long, two adjacent sides are 8½ inches and the remaining two sides
are 12 inches and set at an angle to make a point. It shall be set in the ground
with the point at the intersection of the lines extending from home base to first
base and to third base; with the 17-inch edge facing the pitcher’s plate, and the
two 12-inch edges coinciding with the first and third base lines. The top edges
of home base shall be beveled and the base shall be fixed in the ground level
with the ground surface
The Bases
First, second and third bases shall be marked by white canvas or rubber-
covered bags, securely attached to the ground. The first and third base bags
shall be entirely within the infield. The second base bag shall be centered on
second base. The bags shall be 15 inches square, not less than three nor more
than five inches thick, and filled with soft material.
The pitcher’s plate
The pitcher’s plate shall be a rectangular slab of whitened rubber, 24
inches by 6 inches, so that the distance between the pitcher’s plate and home
base (the rear point of home plate) shall be 60 feet, 6 inches.
Benches
The home Club shall furnish players’ benches, one each for the home
and visiting teams. Such benches shall not be less than twenty-five feet from
the base lines. They shall be roofed and shall be enclosed at the back and ends

Officiating officials
Umpire Chief
Usually the home plate umpire, it is the umpire who is in charge of the
entire game. This umpire calls balls and strikes, calls fair balls, foul balls short
of first/third base, and makes most calls concerning baserunners near home
plate. To avoid injury, the home plate umpire wears similar equipment to the
catcher, including mask, chest protector, leg guards and shoes with extra
protection added over the laces.
 Other umpires are called base umpires and are commonly stationed near
the bases. Field umpire is a less-common term. When two umpires are used,
the second umpire is simply the base umpire. This umpire will make most calls
concerning runners on the bases and nearby plays, as well as in the middle of
the outfield. When three umpires are used, the second umpire is called
the first-base umpire and the third umpire is called the third-base umpire,
even though they may move to different positions on the field as the play
demands. These two umpires also call checked swings, if asked by the plate
umpire often requested by catcher or defensive manager; however, only the
plate umpire can authorize an appeal to the base umpire: the first base umpire
for right-handed batters, and the third base umpire for left-handed batters; to
indicate a checked swing, the umpire will make a "safe" gesture with his arms.
To indicate a full swing, he will clench his fist.
When four umpires are used as is the case for all regular season MLB
games unless one has to leave due to injury, each umpire is named for the
base at which he is stationed. Sometimes a league will provide six umpires; the
extra two are stationed along the outfield foul lines and are called the left-
field and right-field umpires or simply outfield umpires
Outfield umpires are used in major events, such as the Major League Baseball
All-Star Game, and depending on the level, at parts of post-season playoffs. For
Major League Baseball, all playoff levels use six umpires adding a left-field and
right-field umpire, while at lower levels, six umpires are used at the
championship games such as NCAA. Rulings on catches of batted balls are
usually made by the umpire closest to the play.

Crew chief
The term umpire-in-chief is not to be confused with the crew chief, who
is usually the most experienced umpire in a crew. At the major-league and high
minor-league (Class AAA and AA) levels, the crew chief acts as a liaison
between the league office and the crew and has a supervisory role over other
members of the crew.
For example, on the Major League level, "The Crew Chief shall coordinate
and direct his crew's compliance with the Office of the Commissioner's rules
and policies. Other Crew Chief responsibilities include: leading periodic
discussions and reviews of situations, plays and rules with his crew; generally
directing the work of the other umpires on the crew, with particular emphasis
on uniformity in dealing with unique situations; assigning responsibilities for
maintaining time limits during the game; ensuring the timely filing of all
required crew reports for incidents such as ejections, brawls and protested
games; and reporting to the Office of Commissioner any irregularity in field
conditions at any ballpark."

Judgment Calls
An umpire's judgment call used to be final, unless the umpire making
the call chose to ask his partners for help and then decided to reverse it after
the discussion. Since 2014, the MLB allows managers to challenge plays
during the game. If the manager successfully has a call overturned, they are
rewarded with another challenge. If an umpire seems to make an error in rule
interpretation, his call, in some leagues, can be officially protested as is the
case in MLB. If the umpire is persistent in his or her interpretation, the matter
will be settled at a later time by a league official.