Learn the game and you’ll be hooked
A Guide to Understanding Baseball
Explore the exciting world of baseball, where strategy meets athleticism. Dive into the rules and fascinating facts that make this sport a timeless classic.
Learn the game and you’ll be hooked
A Guide to Understanding Baseball
Explore the exciting world of baseball, where strategy meets athleticism. Dive into the rules and fascinating facts that make this sport a timeless classic.
FUN FACT: The National League (NL) was founded in 1876. The American League (AL) was established in 1901. They cemented their cooperation with the National Agreement in 1903, making MLB the oldest major professional sports league in the world.
Understanding the Basics
The Rules of Baseball
Baseball is played between two teams of nine players each, taking turns on offense(batting) and defense(fielding). The team that bats first is known as the “away” team or visitors, while the team that bats second is known as the “home” team. The game consists of nine innings, with each team having a chance to bat and score runs in each inning. The objective is to score more runs than the opposing team by hitting the ball and running around four bases to complete a ‘run’. The “home” team has the advantage of batting last.
OFFENSIVE POSITIONS
On Offense, you have two roles of primary importance: BATTER and RUNNER. The batter’s job is to hit the ball into play, and the goal is to reach base or allow runners already on base to advance or score. Once the ball is hit, runners must make strategic decisions on whether to advance to the next base or stay put, depending on the likelihood of being tagged out.
BATTER
Attempts to hit the ball thrown by the pitcher and reach base safely. They must have good hand-eye coordination, bat control, and a solid understanding of pitch selection.
RUNNER
The player who is in motion on the base paths. They are responsible for advancing from one base to another and ultimately scoring a run.
DEFENSIVE POSITIONS
On Defense, there are nine primary positions on the field: pitcher, catcher, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, shortstop, left fielder, center fielder, and right fielder. Each position has a specific role in preventing the opposing team from scoring runs.
PITCHER
Responsible for throwing pitches from the mound toward the batter and getting outs.
CATCHER
Squats behind home plate and catches pitches from the pitcher. They also play a key role in calling pitches and signaling plays.
FIRST BASEMAN
Plays defense at first base, catching throws from other infielders and trying to get outs at first base. They also cover their designated area of the field during games.
SECOND BASEMAN
Plays defense at second base, covering ground balls hit between first and second base. They also assist with double plays and turning line drives into outs.
THIRD BASEMAN
Plays defense at third base, covering ground balls hit between third and second base. They also have strong arms for throwing across the field to make outs at first or home plate.
SHORTSTOP
Plays defense at shortstop, covering ground balls hit between third and second base. They also assist with double plays and have quick reflexes to catch line drives.
OUTFIELDER
Cover specific areas of the outfield, catching fly balls hit into their designated zones (left field, center field and right field) They also have strong arms for throwing out runners trying to advance bases.
BASEBALL FIELD POSITIONS
Michael J, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Impressive Baseball Records and Milestones
Baseball is a sport rich with statistics that highlight its competitive nature and historical achievements.
GAME HITTING STREAK
JOE DiMAGGIO
One of the most remarkable records is held by Joe DiMaggio, who achieved a 56-game hitting streak in 1941, a feat that remains unmatched to this day.
CAREER HOME RUNS
HANK AARON
Another iconic statistic is Hank Aaron‘s record of 755 career home runs, which stood for over three decades before being surpassed by Barry Bonds in 2007 (Steroid Era).
MOST HITS SINGLE SEASON
ICHIRO SUZUKI
Ichiro Suzuki holds the MLB record for the most hits in a single season with 262, set in 2004. He broke the previous record of 257, which was held by George Sisler since 1920.
MOST STRIKEOUTS
NOLAN RYAN
The undisputed king of the strikeout, Nolan Ryan’s 5,714 strikeouts remain a record that many view as untouchable
MOST STRIKEOUTS
NOLAN RYAN
The undisputed king of the strikeout, Nolan Ryan’s 5,714 strikeouts remain a record that many view as untouchable
MOST HITS SINGLE SEASON
ICHIRO SUZUKI
Ichiro Suzuki holds the MLB record for the most hits in a single season with 262, set in 2004. He broke the previous record of 257, which was held by George Sisler since 1920.
FUN FACT: The Montreal Expos became the Washington Nationals in 2005. The franchise was sold by Major League Baseball (MLB) after the 2004 season and moved to Washington, D.C., officially rebranding for the 2005 season.
BATTERS AND BASE RUNNERS
BATTERS: Different Ways to Get on Base
When playing offense, your goal is to bat and get on base. As a batter, there are different ways to get on base.
SINGLE
DOUBLE
TRIPLE
WALK / BASE ON BALLS
SACRIFICE BUNT
SACRIFICE FLY
HIT AND RUN
ERROR
FIELDER'S CHOICE
DROPPED THIRD STRIKE
INTERFERENCE OR OBSTRUCTION
PINCH RUNNER ENTRY
SQUEEZE PLAY
BASE RUNNER: Different Things to Do When on Base
Now that you have learned what a batter does. As a base runner, various scenarios can present themself to enable you to move to the next base or bases. There are different things to do when on base.
BUNT
The base runner can advance if the hitter bunts and surprises the defense. A bunt is a strategic hit where the batter lightly taps the ball into play instead of swinging for power.
HIT AND RUN
While the base runner on first base takes off for second, the batter swings at the pitch regardless of its location. If successful, he can advance the runner to second or even third base, putting them in scoring position.
SACRIFICE FLY
The base runner, typically on third base, tags up and scores after the catch is made from a sacrifice fly, which occurs when a batter hits a fly ball deep into the outfield and the ball is caught. While the batter is out, the team gains a valuable run, making this play a selfless and strategic move.
TAG UP
If the base runner tags up (has their foot on the bag or retouches their original base) when the defense catches a fly ball, he can advance to the next base or bases. This is a risky but strategic move that can help runners advance and potentially score.
TAKE AN EXTA BASE
A base runner can advance more than one base at a time if there is a hit or an error. This can help put them in a scoring position for their team.
STEAL
Stealing is an aggressive base running tactic where a base runner attempts to advance to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to the batter. Speed, timing, and awareness are crucial for a successful steal, as a well-timed throw from the catcher can lead to the runner being tagged out.
BASE RUNNER: Different Things to Do When on Base
Now that you have learned what a batter does. As a base runner, various scenarios can present themself to enable you to move to the next base or bases. There are different things to do when on base.
BUNT
The base runner can advance if the hitter bunts and surprises the defense. A bunt is a strategic hit where the batter lightly taps the ball into play instead of swinging for power.
HIT AND RUN
While the base runner on first base takes off for second, the batter swings at the pitch regardless of its location. If successful, he can advance the runner to second or even third base, putting them in scoring position.
SACRIFICE FLY
The base runner, typically on third base, tags up and scores after the catch is made from a sacrifice fly, which occurs when a batter hits a fly ball deep into the outfield and the ball is caught. While the batter is out, the team gains a valuable run, making this play a selfless and strategic move.
TAG UP
If the base runner tags up (has their foot on the bag or retouches their original base) when the defense catches a fly ball, he can advance to the next base or bases. This is a risky but strategic move that can help runners advance and potentially score.
TAKE AN EXTA BASE
A base runner can advance more than one base at a time if there is a hit or an error. This can help put them in a scoring position for their team.
STEAL
Stealing is an aggressive base running tactic where a base runner attempts to advance to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to the batter. Speed, timing, and awareness are crucial for a successful steal, as a well-timed throw from the catcher can lead to the runner being tagged out.
FUN FACT: The first modern World Series that brought together the best teams of the season in a battle for the championship title was played in 1903. It was a best-of-nine series between the American League champion Boston Americans and the National League champion Pittsburgh Pirates, with the Boston team winning five games to three.
Baseball Questions Answered
Baseball, with its intricate rules and fascinating history, often raises many questions. Here are some of the most common.
What is a balk?
A balk is an illegal act by a pitcher while one or more runners are on base, resulting in all runners advancing one base.
How much time does a pitcher have to pitch the ball?
In an effort to increase the pace of play, a 30-second timer was implemented between batters in 2023. A timer was also implemented between pitches — 15 seconds with the bases empty and 20 seconds with runners on. The timer was reduced to 18 seconds with runners on base starting in 2024
How much time can a batter step out of the box?
- Batters must be in the box and alert to the pitcher by the 8-second mark or else be charged with an automatic strike.
When can a batter call a timeout and how many times can he do it?
- The umpire must grant a batter timeout, not call one themselves, and the umpire will only grant it when the ball is dead and a play is not in progress. Also there is one timeout per plate appearance. Once a batter is in the box and alert to the pitcher, they can use their one timeout per plate appearance by stepping out of the box and asking the umpire for time, though they must still return to the box and be ready within a specific timeframe.
DO YOU HAVE A BASEBALL QUESTION?
We’re here to help the novice to intermediate baseball fan so please only submit commonly asked baseball questions.
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