Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Regional Office IX, Zamboanga Peninsula

8
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Quarter 3 – Module 1:
BASEBALL and SOFTBALL

Name of Learner: ___________________________

Grade & Section: ___________________________
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Name of School: ___________________________
 WHAT I NEED TO KNOW?
In your previous module you’ve learned the proper execution of skills in Basketball.
This module is made for you to introduce you another team sport, Baseball and Softball. As you
go along this module, you will encounter activities that will demonstrate understanding on the
benefits derived from your engagement and participation in baseball and softball together with
your family which eventually promote family fitness, health and wellness.
In this module, it you are expected to attain the following objectives:
a. Discuss the nature and background of baseball and softball
b. Execute basic skills and tactics in basketball
c. Interpret rules and regulations of basketball
Content Standard:
The learner demonstrates understanding and guidelines and principles in exercise program
design to achieve fitness
Performance Standard:
The learner modifies a physical activity program for the family/school peers to achieve
fitness

WHAT I KNOW?
In your previous module you learned about basketball.
Let’s put it on a test!
__________1. The ability to jump with power to gain possession of the ball as it bounces
to the rim after a failed shot before it touches the floor.
__________2. A Skill that maximizes the involvement of all player in setting up a play to
earn successful shots and earn points for the whole team.
__________3. This skill must be possessed by any basketball player, speed defines best
whether you are on the offensive or defensive part of the game.
__________4. It allows you to move around the court while you’re in possession of the
ball
__________5. This skill allows you to score a point

DRIBBLING PASSING SHOOTING RUNNING REBOUNDING

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 WHAT’S IN?
Activity 2
TEAM SPORTS ENGAGEMENT SURVEY FORM
This will assess your engagement in team sports which will serve as your
reference in identifying your personal goals and targets.

Directions: Put a check mark ( √ ) in the corresponding column under the sport for your
responses.
SURVEY QUESTIONS BASKETBALL BASEBALL SOFTBALL
YES NO YES NO YES NO
1. Do you have experience playing
team sports?
2. Do you play team sports often?
3. Do you play team sports with your
friends?
4. Do you play team sports with your
family?
5. Are you a member of the school
varsity team?
6. Do you participate in community
sports program?
7. Do you enjoy participating in
team sports?
8. Do you consider the benefits
derived from playing team sports?
9. Ae there team sports ethusiast in
your family?
10. Do you plan to make team sports
as one of your lifetime fitness
activities?

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 WHAT’S NEW?
Activity 3
BASEBALL SCRABBLE
Directions: Arrange the scrambled words, then use the highlighted letters to form the
words below.

GITTNHI

LOVSEG

RBTTEA

LABESBLA

AIMODND

ACRPTICE

FFENSEO

HWRIONGT

LOSTBLAF

KSILSL

WHAT IS IT?
BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL
A baseball/softball game is played by two teams who alternate between offense and
defense. There are nine players on each side. The goal is to score more runs than the
opponent, which is achieved by one circuit of four bases that are placed on the diamond.

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HISTORY OF BASEBALL
The game of baseball is said to have begun in the early 19th century, but that's just half the truth.
The game was played much before but the first baseball clubs were formed around that time. An
Englishman named Alexander Cartwright in the year 1845 devised the first set of rules baseball.
In fact, many of the rules listed out then are still used in the game.
Baseball became a game of strategy and hitting throughout the last part of the 20th century.
However, pitching and home run hitting are the baseball benchmarks of today. Depending on the
strength of their bullpens and their home run hitters, baseball teams are either big winners or big
losers. The one thing that is consistent is that the cost of admission still continues to rise.
HISTORY OF SOFTBALL
The name "softball" dates back to 1926. The name was coined by Walter Hakanson of the
YMCA at a meeting of the National Recreation Congress. (In addition to "indoor baseball",
"kitten ball", and "diamond ball", names for the game included "mush ball", and "pumpkin ball".)
The name softball had spread across the United States by 1930. By the 1930s, similar sports with
different rules and names were being played all over the United States and Canada. The formation
of the Joint Rules Committee on Softball in 1934 standardized the rules and naming throughout
the United States.. The first British women's softball league was established in 1952. In 1991,
women's fast-pitch softball was selected to debut at the 1996 Summer Olympics. The 1996
Olympics also marked a key era in the introduction of technology in softball; the IOC funded a
landmark biomechanical study on pitching during the games.
THE EQUIPMENT
The defense wears baseball/softball gloves, a leather contraption that fits on the hand, to catch the
ball. A baseball is a white ball roughly three inches in diameter with red stitching. A softball is
roughly twice as big, sometimes yellow (but no softer). The offense uses a bat, which is made of
wood in the professional ranks, and likely made of aluminum or a metal composite at amateur
levels. Almost all softball bats are aluminum or metal.
THE FIELD
The part of the field closest to the bases is called the infield, and the grassy farther reaches is
called the outfield. The bases are 90 feet apart on the diamond, closer in children's leagues and
softball. Other fields are variable, and the outfield fences or the amount of “foul territory” - the
amount of ground that borders the field between the long white lines that connect first base to
home plate and third base to home plate – varies from field to field.

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SKILLS IN BASEBALL
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. Many of the top
hitters in the game don't have a tremendous speed or strength, but they all have a highlevel of
eye-hand coordination.

A. THROWING
Throwing is the most basic skill in baseball and
softball. 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.
Here’s how the elements of throwing are being executed:
Grip
Grip the ball across the seams with your index and middle finger. The thumb is
under the top fingers.

Wind-up Raise
The throwing arm up and turn the shoulder in the direction of the throw. The
gloved hand points toward the target. Raise left foot and place all the weight of
the body on the right foot.

Delivery
Make a backward swing with bent elbows; lean forward in transferring
weight to the left foot and release the ball.

Follow-through
Point the throwing arm down-forward, putting the feet parallel in a ready
position.
B. PITCHING
Pitching is a skill that puts the game to play. It is performed by a
pitcher, one of the key players in baseball/softball who stays at the
center of the playing field called diamond.
Here’s how the elements of pitching are being executed...

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 Wind-up
Keep the front part of the right foot in contact with the side of the plate. Shift
the weight to the back leg and take a backward step.

Pivot -Pivot on the ball of the front foot to turn parallel to the plate. Lift the left
foot.
Stride -Take a stride or wide step with your left foot. Release
Follow-through
After the relase of the ball, continue the forward motion, with the throwing arm
pointing to the target.

C. Catching
This is a defensive skill used to receive a thrown ball and hold a
base runner or batter from proceeding or preventing them from earning
a point run.
In performing this skill, you must consider the following mechanics:
 Keep your free hand in front of you and bring it on top of the glove as the ball
approaches;
 Close your hand over the ball the moment it hits inside your glove.
D. HITTING/ BATTING
This is an offensive skill used to strike the pitched ball using a bat
done to advance to the bases and eventually leading to earning a run or
point.
Gripping
-use your fingers in gripping the bat and tighten your grip as ball approaches.
Stance
-proper stance includes slightly bending your knees, feet parallel to the plates in shoulder
width distance and bat tilted at 45 degrees and not positioned over the shoulder.
Stride
-as the ball approaches, stride right foot a little backward to gain momentum
Swing
-after a little stride backward, transfer the strength generated by the body towards the arms to
bat as it swings parallel to the ground aiming a the ball and directing it to the intended destination.

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 E. Running/Base-Running
This is a very important skill you need to master because it allows you to
advance from one base to the other with full speed and agility safely.
To condition the body for efficient and effective running, you must take into consideration the
following:
Speed Running
Running with speed from one point to a definite distance. Try getting your time as you run
and improve your speed every time you do it.
Agility Running
Running with a change in position and direction in the fastest possible speed you can. To
master this, you might as well consider running through the bases of the diamond. Improve your
speed every time you do it.
Before the start of any baseball/softball drill lessons, lead-up or actual game, consider doing a
combination of the following exercises that may help you improve your running: Shuffle, Back
Pedal, Jogging, High Knees, Carioca, Butt Kicks, Jumping Jacks.

Baseball Rules & Regulations

Each team in a baseball game starts nine players. The game is broken up into innings, during
which each team plays both offense and defense. A regulation baseball game consists of nine
innings (many levels of youth baseball, including high school, play only six- or seven-inning
games). An inning starts with the home team on defense and the away team on offense. The
offensive team attempts to score runs, while the defensive team attempts to record outs.
One inning is completed after each team makes three outs. The team that has the most total runs
after nine innings are completed is the winner. If the score is tied, play continues, with each extra
inning functioning as sudden death.

Positions & Lineups

On defense, the players occupy nine positions. There are five infield positions (pitcher,
catcher, first base, second base, third base, and shortstop), and three outfield positions
(left field, center field, and right field). The diagram to the left shows the typical
defensive alignment on a basic baseball diamond.
On offense, the nine starters form a strategically arranged lineup, which determines the
order in which each player bats. Many baseball organizations allow the use of a

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designated hitter. This means that one player who is not among the defensive starters may
bat in the place of a defensive player. In many cases, the designated hitter bats for the
pitcher.
The players take turns batting according to the lineup, and once every player has batted,
the order starts over from the top. It is against the rules to bat out of order. Substitutions
may be made at any time, but once a player has been removed from the game, he cannot
return (unless specific league rules allow it).

There are several ways to record an out on defence:

Strike out: After three strikes, the batter is out. However, a batter cannot strike out on a foul ball.
If he hits a foul ball with two strikes, the count remains the same.
Tag out: When the ball is in play, any defensive player may tag a base runner when he is off the
base to record an out.
Catch: If the batter hits a pitched ball in play, and any member of the defense catches it in the air,
then the batter is out. A runner on base may attempt to advance to the next base once a catch has
been made by “tagging up.” However, the runner does so at the risk of being tagged out.
Force out: If the batter hits a pitched ball in play that is not caught in the air, the defense may
field the ball and touch first base (or more likely, throw it to the first baseman, who then touches
first base) before the batter reaches the base to record the out. Also, if there are runners on first
base, first and second base, or all three bases, the runners must advance if a batted ball touches the
ground (they are “forced”). Therefore, the defense can tag a base in front of a runner for a
force-out.
Scoring
The home plate area consists of home plate, a left-hand batter‟s box and righthand batter‟s box
(on separate sides of home plate, and a catcher‟s box (directly behind home plate). The offensive
player stands in one of the batter‟s boxes, while the catcher squats down behind home plate, and
the umpire stands just behind the catcher. In order to score a run, a batter must safely touch all
four bases (in a counter-clockwise direction) and home plate. Therefore, in order to score a run,
the offensive team typically must get multiple players on base safely in order to advance them
around the diamond and touch home plate to score a run.
There are several ways that a batter may reach base safely:
Single: The batter hits a pitched ball into fair territory, and the defense is unable to catch it in the
air. If the batter makes it to first base without being tagged with the ball or before the defense can
make a force-play at first base, then the batter is safe with a single.

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Double: The batter hits a pitched ball into fair territory, and the defense is unable to catch it in
the air. If the batter makes it to second base without being tagged with the ball or before the
defense can make a force-play, then the batter is safe with a double.
Triple: The batter hits a pitched ball into fair territory, and the defense is unable to catch it in the
air. If the batter makes it to third base without being tagged with the ball or before the defense can
make a force-play, then the batter is safe with a triple.
Home run: The batter hits a pitched ball into fair territory, and the defense is unable to catch it
in the air. If the batter touches all three bases and makes it to home plate without being tagged
with the ball or before the defense can make a force-play, then the batter is safe with a home run.
Base on balls: If the pitcher throws four pitches out of the strike zone (as determined by the
home plate umpire) before the batter hits the ball fair or strikes out, then the batter is awarded first
base.
Hit by pitch: If a pitched ball strikes the batter on any part of his body, the batter is awarded
first base (unless an umpire determines that the batter intentionally moved in order to get hit).
Catcher’s interference: If the batters bat makes contact with the catcher while he
attempts to swing at a pitch, the batter is awarded first base.
Defensive error: If the batter is able to safely reach base as the result of a defensive
player‟s mistake, then the play is called an error. An error has effectively the same result
as a hit, but officially it is a different type of play.
Dropped third strike: If a batter swings and misses at a pitched ball for the third strike,
but the catcher drops the ball or it bounces away, the batter may attempt to run to first
base. If the batter reaches first base before the catcher can tag him or make a force-out,
then the batter is safe.
Fielder’s choice: If the batter hits a pitched ball into play, and the defense chooses to tag
or force-out another base runner instead of the batter (thereby allowing the batter to reach
base safely), then it is considered a fielder‟s choice. This is a less desirable way to reach
base, because an out is recorded in the process.
Umpires
Decisions about plays are made by umpires, similar to a referee in American football. The number
of umpires on a given game can range from a minimum of one to a maximum of seven. There is
never more than one "plate umpire"; there can be up to three "base umpires", and up to a further
three umpires positioned in the outfield. Most fast pitch games use a crew of two umpires (one
plate umpire, one base umpire). All decisions made by the umpire(s) are considered to be final.
Only decisions where a rule might have been misinterpreted are considered to be protestable.
Pitching

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Play begins with the umpire saying "Play Ball". After the batter is ready and all fielders (except
the catcher) are in fair territory, the pitcher stands at the pitching plate and attempts to throw the
ball past the batter to the catcher behind home plate. The throw, or pitch, must be made with an
underarm motion often called the "windmill" motion: the ball must be released below the hip
when the hand is no farther from the hip than the elbow to get it in the strike zone.
Batters
The batter stands facing the pitcher inside a "batter's box" (there is one on each side of the plate to
compensate for either right or left handed batters). The bat is held with both hands, over the
shoulder, and away from the pitcher (90 degree angle). The ball is usually hit with a full swinging
motion in which the bat may move through more than 360 degrees.
Pitcher
The pitcher is the individual who throws the ball from the middle of the diamond or the pitcher's
mound. In baseball, the mound is elevated, but in softball the mound is not elevated. The pitcher
usually throws the ball in the strike zone. In softball, the pitcher uses an underarm motion to pitch
the ball towards the strike zone. As soon as the pitcher makes a throw, the fielders are ready to
field balls that are hit in the middle of the diamond.
Catcher
The catcher is always behind the hitter in semi-crouched position at home plate. The catcher
recovers pitches from the pitcher. The catcher also throws balls to other bases to throw out
runners. At home plate, the catcher is responsible for making some of the team's outs by retiring
base runners attempting to score.
First baseman
The first baseman is the position to the right of the first base. The major role of the first baseman
is to make fielding plays on all balls hit towards first base. The first base is usually involved in
every hit that occurs on the playing field.
Second baseman
The second baseman plays in between the first baseman and the gap at second. If the ball is hit to
the left side of the field, second covers second base. If the ball is hit on their side of the field, they
back up the fielder, cover first, or field the ball depending on where it is hit.The second baseman
also is the cut off on balls hit to the right side of the outfield.
Shortstop
The shortstop fields all balls hit to the infield between the second and third bases. This individual
also helps cover second base, third base and is frequently involved in force plays, double plays
and frequently throws the ball to the catcher to throw out runners at home plate. On steals to
second base (when the runner from first is advancing to second on the pitch) the shortstop usually
covers.

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Third baseman
The third baseman covers all hits to the third base and receives balls from the outfield. The third
base person also frequently throws the ball to the catcher trying to throw out the runner at home
plate.
Outfielders
The outfielders are players that cover the grassy area behind the infield. Outfielders are named for
their positions in the field relative to home plate. Traditional outfield positions include a left
fielder, a center fielder, and a right fielder. These players usually back up the plays made by the
infielders and make plays when the ball is hit past or over the infield. Because their positions
cover a greater range than those of infielders, outfielders tend to have strong throwing arms.

WHAT’S MORE?
LET’S PRACTICE AT HOME!
Since you already know the proper execution of each skills, Let’s
Practice!
Things you Need:
 Baseball/Softball balls/ Improvised Balls
 Bat
 Gloves
 Playing Area
Skills to be demonstrate
 Batting/Hitting
 Throwing
 Catching
 Pitching

LABEL THE DIFFERENT POSITIONS IN

DEFENSSIVE BASEBALL

1. 6.

2. 7.

3. 8.

4. 9.

5.

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 WHAT I HAVE LEARNED?
KWL CHART
Accomplish your K-W-L Chart simply by writing at least 3 of the following:
What you know, what you want to know, and what you have learned.

W
K L
WHAT I WANT TO
WHAT I KNOW WHAT I LEARNED
KNOW
1. 1. 1.
2. 2. 2
3. 3. 3.

WHAT I CAN DO
Research some exercises that can enhance your skillls in Baseball/Softball.
 Batting/Hitting
 Throwing
 Catching
 Pitching

Make an exercise program that can benefit the health of your family and community focusing the
following:
Health Related Components Skill Related Components
A. Cardiovascular Endurance A. Agility
B. Muscular Strength B. Balance
C. Muscular Endurance C. Coordination
D. Flexibility D. Power
E. Reaction Time
F. Speed

ASSESSMENT
MODIFIED TRUE OR FALSE
Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if the statement is incorrect then
change the underlined word or group of words into the right one to make the statement
true.

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_________1. Gripping is a basic skill in baseball/softball which is related to throwing.
_________2. Catching is an offensive skill in baseball/softball.
_________3. Nine(9) players compose a team in baseball/softball.
_________4. Fielding and throwing drills develop throwing accuracy in baseball/softball
_________5. An inning is finished after both teams commit two outs in baseball/softball.
_________6. A batter is out when he/she misses four( 4) pitched balls in baseball/softball.
_________7. Foul ball is a batted fly or ground ball that lands outside the foul line.
_________8. A free walk is awarded to a batter on the fourth ball.
_________9. Lead is a term in baseball/softball which is related to running on base.
_________10. The official in baseball/softball is called referee.

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References:
SOFTBALL-http://www.softballperformance.com/softball-history/
http://www.isfsoftball.org/english/rules_standards/rulebook.pdf
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/softball-rules-and-regulations.html
http://www.wiaawi.org/Sports/Softball/RulesRegulations.aspx

BASEBALL-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baseball
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/54751/baseball
http://www.libertyball.com/coachcorner/Baseball%20Handbook.pdf
http://www.infosports.com/zdr/tm/jzm.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baseball_clothing_and_equipment
http://www.baseball-rules.com/basicbb.ht

Bibliography
Cole, Terrence. “„A Purely American Game‟: Indoor Baseball and the Origins of Softball.” International
Journal of the History of the Sport 7.2 (September 1990): 287– 296.

Gems, Gerald R. Windy City Wars: Labor, Leisure, and Sport in the Making of Chicago. 1997.
Garmean, Judith Fay. "A Study Of Attitudes Toward Softball Competition For Women." Santa Barbara:
University if California 1969: 87

DEVELOPMENT TEAM

Writer: Jerra Mae S. Circulado

Editor: Gilbert B. Benitez
Language Editor: Janice L. Cadugdug
Proof Reader: Ahmad A. Abubakar
Illustrators: Odeza G. Acuña
Layout Artist: Odeza G. Acuña

Management Team:
Julieto H. Fernandez, Ed. D., CESO VI
SDS-Isabela City
Maria Laarni T. Villanueva, Ed. D.,
CESE
ASDS-Isabela City
Henry R. Tura, CID Chief
Elsa A. Usman, LR Supervisor
Jani P. Ismael, EPS-MAPEH, Module Coordinator

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 Region IX: Zamboanga Peninsula Hymn – Our Eden Land
Here the trees and flowers bloom
Here the breezes gently Blow,
Here the birds sing Merrily,
The liberty forever Stays,
Here the Badjaos roam the seas
Here the Samals live in peace
Here the Tausogs thrive so free
With the Yakans in unity
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Gallant men And Ladies fair
Linger with love and care
Golden beams of sunrise and sunset
Are visions you’ll never forget
Oh! That’s Region IX
Hardworking people Abound,
Every valleys and Dale
Zamboangueños, Tagalogs, Bicolanos,
Cebuanos, Ilocanos, Subanons,
Boholanos, Ilongos,
All of them are proud and true
Region IX our Eden Land
Region IX
Our…
Eden...
Land...
ANSWER KEY

ACTIVITY 1
1. REBOUNDING
2. PASSING
3.RUNNING
4.DRIBBLING
5.SHOOTING
ACTIVITY 3
1. HITTING
2. GLOVES
3. BATTER
4. BASEBALL
5. DIAMOND
6. PRACTICE
7. OFFENSE
8. THROWING
9. SOFTBALL
10. SKILLS

ASSESSMENT
1. TRUE
2.DEFENSIVE
3. TRUE
4. TRUE
5. 3 OUTS
6. 3 PITCHED BALLS
7. TRUE
8. TRUE
9. TRUE
10. UMPIRE