HISTORY OF BASEBALL

ORIGINS OF THE GAME

 Most cultures have some sort of stick and ball game, cricket being the most well-
known. While the exact origins of baseball are unknown, most historians agree
that it is based on the English game of rounders.
 Baseball evolved from older bat-and-ball games already being played in England
by the mid-18th century. This game was brought by immigrants to North America,
where the modern version developed.
Game of Rounders
 Rounders is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams. Rounders is a
striking and fielding team game that involves hitting a small, hard, leather-cased
ball with a rounded end wooden, plastic, or metal bat. The players score by
running around the four bases on the field.
 The game of rounders has been played in England since Tudor times, with the
earliest reference being in 1744 in A Little Pretty Pocket-Book where it was called
base-ball.
 A Little Pretty Pocket-Book (1744), included an illustration of base-ball, depicting
a batter, a bowler, and several rounders posts. The rhyme refers to the ball being
hit, the boy running to the next post, and then home to score.
GAELIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
 The first nationally formalized rules were drawn up by the Gaelic Athletic
Association (GAA) in Ireland in 1884.
 After the rules of rounders were formalized in Ireland, associations were
established in Liverpool, England; and Scotland in 1889.
 Both the 'New York game' and the now-defunct 'Massachusetts game' versions
of baseball, as well as softball, share the same historical roots as rounders and
bear a resemblance to the GAA version of the game.
 The game is a popular game among British and Irish school children, especially
among girls, and is played up to the international level. It is played by seven
million children in the UK, with Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge having played it
as a young girl.
ORIGINS OF THE GAME
 By the late 19th century, baseball was widely recognized as the national sport of
the United States. Many sources report the growing popularity of a game called
“townball”, “base”, or “baseball”.
 Throughout the early part of that century, small towns formed teams, and
baseball clubs were formed in larger cities.
 The first officially recorded baseball game in North America was played in
Beachville, Ontario, Canada, on June 4, 1838.
WHY DOUBLEDAY?
 There is a popular myth that Abner Doubleday invented baseball in
Cooperstown, New York, in 1839.
 This story has been spread far and wide over the last century or so, and there is
both a stadium and a minor league team named Doubleday. Former Major
League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig even called Doubleday the “Father of
Baseball” as recently as 2000.
AMERICA’S PASTIME
 Baseball is an American family tradition.
 Often referred to as America's National Pastime, baseball has had a very active
role in the shaping of this nation.
THE CIVIL WAR
 Though since disapproved, the invention of the sport was originally believed to
have occurred in Cooperstown and was credited to Civil War hero Abner
Doubleday.
 Doubleday was at Fort Sumter in South Carolina when the first shots were fired
in defense of the Union. He went on to rise to the rank of Major General and
served with distinction during the Battle of Gettysburg.
WHY CARTWRIGHT?
 However, Albert Cartwright is credited as the “Father of Baseball” because he
drafted a set of rules in 1845 that became the basis for the modern game.
 The first recorded baseball game was played on June 19, 1846, at the Elysian
Fields in Hoboken, New Jersey, where Cartwright’s New York Knickerbockers
defeated the New York Nine by a score of 23-1.
 KNICKERBOCKER RULES
The set of baseball rules was formalized by William R. Wheaton and William H.
Tucker of the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club in 1845.
 They have previously been considered to be the basis for the rules of the modern
game, although this is disputed.
 The rules are informally known as the "New York-style" of baseball, as opposed
to other variants such as the "Massachusetts Game" and "Philadelphia town
ball".
NABBP
 The National Association of Base Ball Players (NABBP) was the first organization
governing American baseball. The sport was spelled with two words in the 19th
century.
 The first convention of sixteen New York City area clubs in 1857 effectively
terminated the Knickerbocker era, during which the rules of the game were
largely at the discretion of individual clubs.
 Besides governing the playing rules and its organization, the Association
established standards for official scoring (reporting), "match" play, a
championship, amateurism, and the integrity of the contest (then known as
hippodroming).
 Following trends in the evolution of the sport, in the 1869 season, it accepted
professionalism in its ranks.
 The succeeding National Association of Professional Base Ball Players is
considered the first professional sports league; through 1875 it governed
professional baseball and practically set playing rules for all.
 The National Association fielded nine teams in 1871 and grew to 13 teams by
1875.
 Because the amateur successor never attracted many members and it convened
only a few times, the NABBP is sometimes called "the amateur Association" in
contrast to its professional successor.
  Following the 1875 season, the National Association was replaced with the
National League. Previously, players had owned the teams and run the games,
but the National League was to be run by businessmen.
 They established standards and policies for ticket prices, schedules, and player
contracts.
BABE RUTH
 The Roaring Twenties were a great time for the United States and baseball. A
huge gambling scandal in 1919 brought sweeping reforms, and in the nation’s
largest city, a legend was born.
 George “Babe” Ruth had been a successful pitcher with the Boston Red Sox, but
the New York Yankees bought his contract and made him an outfielder. He was
the most tremendous hitter the league had ever seen.
 Ruth revolutionized the game with his prowess as a homerun hitter. He ushered
in an era of economic prosperity for baseball and became one of the most
popular individuals in American history.
 Ruth revolutionized the game with his prowess as a homerun hitter. He ushered
in an era of economic prosperity for baseball and became one of the most
popular individuals in American history.
 Nicknamed "The Bambino" and "The Sultan of Swat“
 Ruth is regarded as one of the greatest sports heroes in American culture and is
considered by many to be the greatest baseball player of all time.
Baseball Equipment
Batting Helmet
A helmet is worn by a batter to protect his/her head and the ear facing the pitcher from
the ball. While some helmets have ear protectors only on one side as only the ear
facing the pitcher should be protected, helmets with ear protectors on both sides are
more common as some batters are left-handed and some right-handed.
Catcher's helmet
Catchers wear a helmet with a face mask similar to a hockey goalkeeper mask to
protect both their head and face. Sometimes they might wear a separate helmet and a
facemask.
Uniform
All players, coaches, and managers wear shirts and pants. Each team has a uniform
dress of a specific color and design.
Sliding shorts
Players sometimes wear padded support shorts to protect the player’s thighs when
he/she slides into the bases. Some sliding shorts contain a pocket for a cup that serves
as a jockstrap.
Baseball Cleats
These are baseball-specific shoes made of rubber or metal that players wear for better
traction.
Bat
A baseball bat is a round, solid wooden or hollow aluminum bat. Wooden bats are
traditionally made from ash wood, though sometimes maple and bamboo are also used.
A baseball bat is a smooth wooden or metal club used in the sport of baseball to hit the
ball after it is thrown by the pitcher. By regulation, it may be no more than 2.75 inches
(7.0 cm) in diameter at the thickest part and no more than 42 inches (1.067 m) in length.
Ball
The ball used in baseball is called a baseball. Layers of yarn or string are rolled on a
cork sphere and a leather coat is stitched over it to make a baseball.
Batting Gloves
Players wear leather gloves to protect their palms. A webbed "pocket" between the
thumb and first finger helps the fielder to catch the ball easily.
Catcher's mitt
Catchers wear leather mitts with connected finger pockets that are much wider and
better padded than a normal fielder's glove.
Chest protector
A chest protector is a piece of protective equipment worn by catchers and home plate
umpires. While designs have changed, and the designs of catchers' and umpires' gear
are different, the basic purpose is the same: to protect the wearer's chest from foul balls
and errant pitches.
Leg guard
Leg guards are a core piece of catcher’s gear and are responsible for protecting knees,
shins, and ankles from wild pitches, foul tips, and cleats.
BASEBALL COURT MEASUREMENT
The playing field
The infield (also called diamond) is a 27.4m square and is graded so that the baselines
and home plate are levels. The infield and outfield, including the boundary lines, are fair
territory and all other areas are foul territory. The minimum distance from the home
base to the nearest fence, stand or another obstruction on the fair territory is 76.2m.
The pitcher’s plate is 10 inches above the level of the home plate. The degree of slope
from a point 6 inches in front of the pitcher’s plate to a point 6 feet toward the home
plate is 1 inch to 1 foot and is uniform.
It is preferred that the line from home base through the pitcher’s plate to second base
runs east-south-east.
Measurements of distances to the bases are as follows:
 Home base to second base 38.8m
 Home base to first base 27.4m
 Second base to first base 27.4m
 Home base to third base 27.4m
 Second base to third base 27.4m
 First base to second base 27.4m
 The distance between the first and third base is 38.8m.
Home plate
The home base is a five-sided slab of white rubber. The home plate is a 17-inch square
of whitened rubber with two of the corners removed so that one edge is 17 inches long,
two adjacent sides are 8 1/2 inches each and the remaining two sides are 12 inches
each and set at an angle to make a point.
Bases
The first, second, and third bases are marked by white canvas bags or rubber-covered
bags, attached to the ground. The first and third base bags are entire with the infield.
The second base bag is centered on the second base. The bags are 38.1cm square
and filled with soft materials.
Pitching mound and plate
The pitching mound is a 5.49m circle, the center of which is 18.39m from the rear of the
home plate.
The pitcher’s plate is a rectangular slab of white rubber, 61cm by 15cm. It is set in the
ground so that the distance between the pitcher’s plate and the home base (the rear
point of the home-plate) is 18.39m.
Little League and Junior League
Playing facilities
The following are the minimum facility requirements for all levels of Little League and
Junior League baseball under Baseball WA:
 Base paths, including first base tramlines to be marked.
 The first and third foul lines are marked for a minimum of 50m from the first and
third bases respectively.
 Flagpoles, a minimum height of 1.5m are to be positioned at the extremities of
the foul lines.
 First, second and third bases and pitching rubber to be pinned.
 Pitching mounds are mandatory in all player grades.
 Mandatory back net (minimum 4m wide and 3m high).
 Designated dead ball line from edges of the back net and parallel to the first and
third baselines (white marking is acceptable).
 Home run fence using plastic cones is mandatory if a fence at the required
distance is not available.
Age limitations for Little League and Junior League

Little League Major and All-Star League 9 to 12 years old inclusive

Little League Minor - player pitch (PP) 8 to 12 years old inclusive

Little League Minor - machine pitch (MP) 7 to 10 years old inclusive

Intermediate League 11 to 13 years old inclusive

Junior League 12 to 14 years old inclusive

Ground dimensions and setup for Little League and Junior League

Little League Junior League 80

Little League
Major Junior League 70 and
Minor-MP
and Minor-PP JL All-Stars

Base paths 18.28m 18.28m 21.33m 24.38m

Pitching distance 14.02m 14.02m 15.24m 15.24m

Home run 60m from home 50m from home 76.2m from home 91.4 feet from
fences/cones plate plate plate home plate

Back net Max 10m from Max 10m from Max 15m from Max 15m from
(recommended) home plate home plate home plate home plate

BASIC SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES IN BASEBALL

1. THROWING/PITCHING - it 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.
ELEMENTS OF THROWING/PITCHING
a) Grip – Grip the ball across the seams with your index and middle finger. The thumb
is under the top fingers.
b) Wind-up – Raise the throwing arm and turn the shoulder in the direction of the throw.
The gloved hand points toward the target. Raise the left foot and place all weight of the
body on the right foot.
c) Delivery – Make a backward swing with bent elbows; lean forward in transferring
weight to the left foot and release the ball.
d) Follow-through – Point the throwing arm down- forward, putting the feet parallel in a
ready position.
THE STRIKE ZONE – the area over the home plate from the midpoint between the
batter`s shoulder and the top of the uniform pants. The pitcher should only throw the
baseball in the strike zone. Once the pitcher throws the ball outside the strike zone, a
type of violation named “ball” is called. If four (4) balls are called in a row, the batter will
proceed to the first base.
2. 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.
When a catch occurs, the batter is out, and runners, once they properly tag up (retouch
their time-of-pitch base), may attempt to advance at the risk of being tagged out.
NOTE: The catcher can communicate with the pitcher using signals.
COMMON PITCH SIGNALS:
 one finger - fastball
 two fingers - curveball
 three fingers - slider
 four fingers and/or wiggle fingers - change up
NOTE: In performing this skill observe the following mechanics:
 Hold your glove open and keep a visual on the ball at all times.
 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.
TYPES OF CATCHING:
1. OVERHEAD CATCHING – with your feet slightly apart and your knees bent,
reach for the ball with your fingers pointing upward and thumb together.
2. UNDERHEAD CATCHING – when you are catching the ball below the waist
level, reach the ball with your fingers pointing downward with your little finger
together.

2 IMPORTANT TEAMS IN DEFENDING TEAM:

PITCHER – pitches/throws the ball so CATCHER – positioned behind the
that the player from the opponent`s batter and make sure that they catch
team hits it with the bat. the ball when the batter missed it.

BASIC SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES OF BASEBALL

HITTING/BATTING
• The aspect of baseball that draws many young players to the game is the idea of
hitting a baseball squarely.
• Too 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 leads to earning a run or point.
Elements of Hitting/Batting In doing this skill, consider your grip, stance, stride, and
swing.
 Grip – use your fingers in gripping the bat and tighten your grip as the ball
approaches. 
 Stance - proper stance includes slightly bending your knees, feet parallel to the
plates in the shoulder-width distance, and bat tilted at 45° and not positioned
over the shoulder.
 Stride – as the ball approaches, stride the 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 the bat as it swings parallel to the ground aiming at the ball
and directing it to the intended destination.
RUNNING / BASE-RUNNING
 • This is a very important skill you need to master because it allows you to
advance safely from one base to the other with full speed and agility.
Considerations in Running/Base-Running
• To condition the body for efficient and effective running, consider the following:
a) 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.
b) Agility Running – running with a change in position and direction at the fastest
possible speed. To master this, you might as well consider running through the
bases of the diamond. Improve your speed every time you do it.
HAND SIGNALS
Out/Strike
Strikes are called with the right hand. Some umpires point to the side; others make a
clenched fist. The “out” call — also a clenched fist — is used after a third strike or when
a runner is out before reaching a base.
Timeout/Foul Ball
Used when a batter hits a foul ball or when play must be paused.
Foul Tip
Used when a batter swing and just barely tips the ball but the catcher still catches it.
Do Not Pitch
Used to signal the pitcher to wait before throwing his next pitch.
Safe
Used when a runner safely reaches any base.
Play Ball
Used to signal the pitcher that it is OK to throw the pitch.
Fair Ball
Used when a batter hits a ball that lands in the fairground. This signal can be made with
either hand.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Rules of Baseball
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 is 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.
BASEBALL POSITIONS, HAND SIGNALS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS
Positions in Baseball
1. The pitcher is often considered the most important player on the defensive side of
the game, and as such is situated at the right end of the defensive spectrum. There are
many different types of pitchers, such as the starting pitcher, relief pitcher, middle
reliever, lefty specialist, setup man, and the closer.
2. Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes their turn
to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the (home) umpire, and
receives the ball from the pitcher.
3. A first baseman, abbreviated 1B, is the player on a baseball or softball team who
fields the area nearest first base, the first of four bases a baserunner must touch in
succession to score a run.
4. In second baseman, abbreviated 2B, is a fielding position in the infield, between
second and first base. The second baseman often possesses quick hands and feet,
needs the ability to get rid of the ball quickly, and must be able to make the pivot on a
double play.
5. A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball or softball whose
responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a
baserunner must touch in succession to score a run.
6. Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball or softball fielding position between
second and third base, which is considered to be among the most demanding defensive
positions.
7. Left fielders must cover large distances - speed, instincts, and quickness in reacting
to the ball are key. They must be able to catch fly balls above their heads and on the
run.
8. Outfielders must cover large distances, so speed, instincts, and quickness to react
to the ball are key. They must be able to catch fly balls above their heads and on the
run. They must be able to throw the ball accurately over a long distance to be effective.
9. A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball or softball who plays
defense in the right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person
standing at home plate and facing toward the pitcher's mound
HANDS SIGNALS
1. Out/Strike - Strikes are called with the right hand. Some umpires point to the
side; others make a clenched fist. The “out” call — also a clenched fist — is used
after a third strike or when a runner is out before reaching a base.
2. Timeout/Foul ball - Used when a batter hits a foul ball or when play must be
paused.
3. Foul Tip - Used when a batter swing and just barely tips the ball but the catcher
still catches it.
4. Do not Pitch - Used to signal the pitcher to wait before throwing his next pitch.
5. Safe - Used when a runner safely reaches any base.
6. Play Ball - Used to signal the pitcher that it is OK to throw the pitch.
7. Fair Ball - Used when a batter hits a ball that lands in the fairground. This signal
can be made with either hand.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
 1. Baseball has two teams of 9 players.
2. 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.
3. 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 is already ahead in points,
then they do not need to complete their batting innings.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. When on base, the batter can run to the next base at any point.
8. 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 he batsman
with the ball all whilst they are running
BASEBALL UNCAUGHT THIRD STRIKE - The uncaught third strike, sometimes
called dropped strike, is a rule in baseball involving a catcher. If the catcher makes a
clean catch on a pitch that recorded a third strike batter swung missed the ball or the
ball was in the strike and the touches ground, the runner may run to first so as there is
not a baserunner already there. The batter must either be tagged out or forced out by a
throw to first
In the case of a runner on first base with two outs, uncaught strike results in them
becoming an active runner Regardless of the result of an uncaught third strike, the
pitcher batter is recorded strikeout.
If the batter does not realize that an uncaught third strike occurred and steps out of the
dirt surrounding the box, they are called out
BASEBALL TIE GOES TO THE RUNNER - Though not necessarily a rule, tie goes to
the runner is a very popular interpretation of the out rules in Baseball. In Baseball, a
runner is called out if they or first base is tagged with the ball before the runner reaches
the base. In close-play scenarios where it appears that the runner and the ball reach the
base at the same time, umpires generally give an advantage to the runner. This
interpretation of the rules is often widely discussed among baseball officials.
This rule is also very similar to the simultaneous possession rule in the NFL, which is
often also widely disputed and controversial.
BASEBALL BALK - A balk occurs when a pitcher performs an illegal motion, usually
pretending to pitch the baseball without actually meaning to perform a pitch. If a pitcher
performs one of these motions, which includes pretending to throw the ball but holding it
instead, unnecessarily delaying the game, pitching away from the batter, throwing to a
fielder who is not on a base, etc. then a balk will be called.
A balk results in an immediate dead ball. If there are any runners on base, they advance
one base forward. The batter stays at-bat and maintains the same count. Balks rare
occur, but can occur when a pitcher gets into a stressful situation that may cause them
to make a mistake.
BASEBALL AUTOMATIC STRIKE - An automatic strike may be rarer than a balk! An
automatic strike occurs when one of three things occurs: the batter refuses to take a
position in the batter's box, the batter leaves the batter's box while the pitch is on its way
from the pitcher, or the batter hits the catcher with their bat due to negligent swinging. If
any of these occur, the batter can be given an automatic strike, which is added to the
count of the current at-bat.
If the batter refuses to enter the batter's box after being given an automatic strike, they
may be called out.
BASEBALL PINCH HITTER AND PINCH RUNNER - The 'pinch' substitution rule is
fairly unique to the sport of baseball. At any time, a team may substitute a player
currently in the game with another player who is not in the game. This includes
substituting the current batter with a pinch hitter, or a baserunner with a pinch-runner.
Unlike other sports, the player being subbed out of the game cannot re-enter the game
at any time. The player being subbed into the game assumes the role of the player
being subbed out, which includes their spot in the batting lineup and their fielding
position. Of course, this can also be swapped when a manager discusses the change
with the head umpire.
BASEBALL NO FRATERNIZATION - Players in uniform are not allowed to fraternize
with members of the opposing team, as well as members of the audience. There is not
much explanation to this rule, though it is rarely enforced.
BASEBALL AMBIDEXTROUS PITCHER - The ambidextrous pitcher rule was added
when pitcher Pat Venditte joined the MLB. Venditte is an ambidextrous pitcher, but
umpires had a difficult time determining what to do when Venditte faced a switch-hitter.
The batter did not want to bat on the left side if Venditte was going to pitch left-handed
and vice-versa. The MLB declared the ambidextrous pitcher rule, in which the pitcher
must declare what hand they're going to pitch with for the at-bat. The batter may then
decide which side of the plate they're going to bat from. The pitcher may not switch
hands until the at-bat is complete, in which they may switch hands before the next
batter after notifying the umpire.
BASEBALL GROUND RULE DOUBLE - A ground-rule double occurs when a ball is
fairly hit and lands in the field of play, but then leaves the field of play without
interference from a fielder. This occurs most often when a batter hits the ball near the
sideline in fair territory, then the ball bounces out. In case of a ground-rule double, the
batter is awarded a double and any runner on base advances one base. This occurs
often in parks that have sidelines very close to the foul lines.
SCORING - 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.