Baseball Rules

The rules of baseball have remained relatively unchanged since Abner Doubleday invented the game,over a century and a half ago. The game that is played in the Streets of N.Y. and the Fields of Nicaragua, is the same game that is played Professionally around the world. The objective is to outscore the opposing team, consisting of 9 players on the field in a series of 9 at bats known as innings.

Batting - Each Team gets 9 at bats, while at the same time the opposing team is in the field playing Defense. The field is shaped like a diamond with each point being called a base. After the Pitcher throws the ball to the batter, he attempts to hit the ball into the field of play after which he must run to as many bases as he chooses starting with first base. He gets 3 attempts to do so(or strikes). If he swings and misses or hits the ball into foul territory, he gets a strike, unless he has 2 strikes then only misses count as a strike. 3 strikes equal 1 out. The pitcher must throw the ball over home plate(or base) from knee to chest level, if he doesn't, it counts as a what is called a ball. After 4 balls the batter gets a free pass(or Walk) to first base.

Fielding - The defensive team must eliminate 3 batters or runners in what is known as outs. After 3 outs, the opposing team is now the batter. An out is achieved a few different ways. The simplest is having the batter get 3 strikes. If the batter hits the ball in the air and it is caught by the opposing team it is also an out. A batter can also be touched or tagged by an opposing player with the ball in his hand or glove and called out.

Base running - After hitting the ball the batter must attempt to run to first base. If the opposing team's player with the ball touches the base first the runner is called out. If the batter is successful in reaching first base he may remain there as another batter bats or leave at his own peril, as his objective is go to all 3 bases, then get back to home plate (base 4) to score a run(or point ) for his team.

Special baseball rules

Force out - If the runner cannot return back to his original base, because another runner is behind him, then the fielder with the ball must only touch the base in front of the runner, not tag him, in order to achieve an out.

Balk - If the pitcher is set to pitch and steps off the pitching rubber or steps toward home plate then throws to a base this is a Balk and all the runners on base move up 1 base.

Tagging up - A runner can move up a base after the ball is caught in the field as long as he is on the base when the ball is caught. If he leaves early he is called out.

Bunting - A batter may "bunt" which is to gently tap the ball without swinging but will be called out after 2 strikes if he hits it in foul territory.

Scoring - The game is played for 9 innings and the team with the most runs wins the game. If the game is tied, then 1 extra inning, is played till the tie is broken.