baseball

Who invented baseball?

•• Abner Doubleday invented the game during the summer of 1839 in
Cooperstown, New York.
•• Doubleday would eventually become a Civil War Hero, and baseball
would gradually become the America’s national pastime.
•• Alexander Cartwright devised the first set of official rules for baseball.
•• When did it start? The first baseball game was played in Hoboken,
New Jersey, on June 19, 1846
•• It was played between New York Nine and New York Knickerbockers.
•• The New York Nine defeated the Knickerbockers, 23-1 in 4 innings.
The GAME

•• A baseball game consists of 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 in nine
innings.
•• If there is a tie after nine innings, they will play until the tie is
broken.
THE FIELD
•• The part of the field closest to the bases is called the INFIELD.
•• The grassy field passed the infield is called the OUTFIELD.
•• The bases are 90ft apart on the infield, also known as the
diamond.
DEFENSE Positions
• • The PITCHER (1) stands on the mound and throws the ball to the catcher in attempt to make
the batter either swing and miss or else put the ball in play so that it can be caught by a defensive
player (in which case the batter is “out”)
• • The CATCHER (2) squats behind home plate and catches the pitcher’s throws; also throws to
bases to throw out players trying to steal those bases, as well as fields the area around home plate.
• • FIRST BASEMAN (3) fields the area near first base
• • SECOND BASEMAN (4) fields the area between 1st and 2nd base.
• • THIRD BASEMAN (5) fields the area near third base.
• • SHORT STOP (6) fields the area between 2nd and 3rd base.
• • LEFT FIELD (7) fields the portion of the outfield that’s on the left side of the batter when he
faces the field.
• • CENTER FIELD (8) fields the middle portion of the outfield.
• • RIGHT FIELD (9) fields the portion of the outfield that’s on the right side of the batter when he
faces the field.
THE PLAY
•• FORCE OUT – when the ball is hit, the defensive player with the
ball reaches a base before the runner.
•• FLY OUT – when a batter hits the ball in the air, and its caught
by a defensive player before the ball hits the ground.
•• GROUND OUT – when the batter hits the ball to the infielder
and the infielder throws the ball to the first base before the batter
reaches first base.
•• TAG OUTS – when a runner is touched with the ball or a glove
with the ball on it.  The Pitcher could also record an out by getting
the batter to swing and miss 3 times (STRIKEOUT)
SKILLS
• • THROWING - the most basic skill in baseball. It allows the team to prevent their opponents
from reaching bases or scoring runs. Style and technique differ from player to player.
• • PITCHING- the skill that puts the game to play. It is performed by a pitcher, one of the key
players in baseball/softball who stay at the center of the playing field called diamond.
• • ELEMENTS OF PITCHING -
• o GRIP- grip the ball across the seams with your index and middle finger. The thumb is under
the top finger.
• o WIND-UP – Raise the throwing arm up and turn the shoulder in the direction of the throw.
The gloved hand points toward the batter. Raise the front foot and place all weight of the body on
the back foot.
• o DELIVERY – make a backward swing with bent elbows; lean forward in transferring weight to
the front foot and release the ball.
• o FOLLOW-THROUGH – point the throwing arm down-forward, putting the feet parallel in a
ready position.
• • FIELDING – a defensive skill used to receive a batted ball and hold a base runner or batter from
proceeding or prevent the opponent from earning a run.
• o ELEMENTS OF FIELDING
• o FOLLOW-THROUGH– after the release of the ball, continue the forward motion, with the
throwing arm pointing to the target.
• o STRIDE – take a stride or wide step with the left foot. Release the ball.
• • HITTING/BATTING– this is an offensive skill used to strike the pitched ball using a bat. The
aspect of baseball that draws many young players to the game is the idea of hitting a baseball
squarely.
• o ELEMENTS OF BATTING
• o GRIP– use your fingers in gripping the bat and tighten your grip as the ball approaches.
• o STANCE– proper stance includes slightly bending your knees, feet parallel to the plates in
shoulder width distance, and bat tilted at 45 and not positioned over the shoulder.
• o STRIDE – as the ball approaches, stride the front foot a little backward to gain momentum.
• o 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 at the ball and directing it to the intended
destination.
• • BASE RUNNING– this is a very important skill you need to master because it allows you to
advance safely from one base to another with full speed and agility.