INTRODUCTION TO BASEBALL

Mike HerrmannAudience: 6th Grade Students

History Major league baseball is composed of two

leagues National League - 1876 - present American League – 1901 – present Commonly known as “America’s Pastime”

Rules/Background Each game is between 2 teams Each game is has 9 innings There are 3 outs per inning There are 9 players on the field at a time The pitcher tries to strike out the batter The batter tries to hit the ball and score

Rules/Background There are 4 bases Players much touch all bases to score All bases are 90 feet apart The pitchers mound is 60 feet from home

plate Bases are called First-Second-Third-Home Touching home plate scores a run

Bases

First, Second and Third Base are square Home plate is a pentagon shape They form together in a diamond shape These bases shape the infield

Batting/Offense Each batter gets 3 strikes or 4 balls 3 strikes is an out for the batter 4 balls is a walk-batter goes to first base A ball out side of home plate is a ball A ball over the plate is a strike A swing and miss is a strike There are 9 players in a lineup

Hits Types of hits Single-Player reaches to first base Double-Player reaches to second base Triple-Player reaches to third base Home Run-Player hits ball over fence

Player can jog around basesAny other players on base also score

Bunting Bunt:

Used to move another runner to the next base

Player puts bat out in front of the plateTries to hit the ball so it rolls down

a baseline

Stealing An effective but risky strategy Used to move the runner to the next base The base runner starts with taking a lead

How many steps off the base the runner is before the pitch is thrown

Runner starts running when pitcher first moves

Catcher attempts to throw out runner

Fielding/Defense There are 9 positions of the field There is an infield and outfield Infield Positions:

1st base, 2nd base, short stop, third basePitcher and catcher

Outfield positions:Right field, Left field, Center Field

Fielding/Defence Objective of defense is to get 3 outs Players must get ball to first basemen

This must happen before the runner gets there

Force out:When infielder simply steps on base with

the ball Tag Out:

When player must tag runner with the ball

Tag Out vs Force Out

Tag Out

Force Out

Pitcher Roles Pitcher Goals

Strike out batterGet batter to ground outGet batter to fly out

Types of PitchersStarter - starts the gameReliever - comes in if pitcher needs to come

outCloser – Finishes the game for their team

Basic Pitches Fastball

The fastest pitch, but only goes straight Curveball

Ball drops down an away Drops to the left for right hander's Drops to the right for left hander's

Change upA slower pitch that may confuse batter

Catcher Roles The catcher controls what happens in the

field He gives signs to the pitcher

He determines what the pitcher throws Also gives signs to the infield Calls bunt defense Calls first and third situation plays

Catcher Roles Catcher must throw out stealers Must stop a bad pitch from getting away

If ball gets away, the runner will steal Catcher can also call a time out

Catcher can go visit the pitcher on the mound

This is used to calm the pitcher down

Umpires Umpires enforce the rules of the game Home plate umpire

Calls balls, strikes, and plays at home plate

Field UmpiresCall foul or fair ballsCall out or safe plays in the field

SAFE

Coaches Coaches make almost all decisions Makes the lineup and positioning Gives signs throughout the game

Signs are given to batters and base runners

STEAL!

COACHES Coaches develop players by teaching them They run practices to prepare players Their decisions can decide a games fat There is always two coaches on the field

First and Third base coaches for batting team

Terms to Know Double Play

When two outs are made on one play Triple Play

When 3 outs are made on one play (very rare)

RBIRuns batted in (stat for hitters)

HRHome Run

Additional Information For additional information, visit the baseball link

on the front page of my website http://users.rowan.edu/~herrma72