BASEBALL

Objective
Baseball is played by two teams. Each team tries to score more runs than their opponent by
rounding the bases and crossing home plate as many times as possible.
The batting team stays up to bat until the fielding team puts out 3 batters.

The field
The playing area is often referred to as a baseball diamond due to its shape. It consists of a
pitcher's mound, 4 bases, an infield, and an outfield.

Positions
Players line up in the following positions:
1. Pitcher – on the pitcher's mound
2. Catcher - behind home plate
3. 1st Baseman
4. 2nd Baseman
5. 3rd Baseman
6. Others

Starting Play
Each fielder lines up in one of the 9 fielding positions. The first batter steps into the batter's
box and prepares to hit the pitch. He may choose which side of the plate to hit from.

The pitcher throws the ball. It should arrive at the batter in line with the home plate,
between the knee and shoulder.
- If the batter doesn’t hit the ball, it is a strike. 3 strikes and you are out.
- If the batter hits the ball into ‘fair territory’, you must run, at least to 1st base.
- If the batter hits the ball ‘out of bounds’, it is a strike.
If the ball arrives outside this zone it is a (bad) ball. Do not swing at a {bad} ball. If you
swing and miss, it is a strike. But if you have 2 strikes already the 3rd doesn’t count as a
strike.

If you receive 4 (bad) balls, you walk safely to the 1st base.

How do you eliminate a player?

1) When the batter hits the ball and you catch it in the air before it bounces (fly ball)
2) If you touch (tag) the ‘runner’ with the ball between bases
3) If you tag the base the runner is going towards before they get there.