AMERICAN GAMESBASEBALL

Sport with two opposing teams of nine players who attempt to score points by hitting a ball with a bat and running from one base to the next until they reach home plate; a game lasts nine innings, during which teams alternate from offense (at bat) to defense (in the field).

Field

Surface on which a baseball game is played; it is in the shape of a quarter circle and is covered with dirt and natural or synthetic grass.

PitchWhen the batter is in position, the pitcher throws the ball toward home plate; the batter judges the pitch and decides whether or not to try to hit it.

BatterPlayer who takes position to hit the ball; the batter grasps the handle of the bat.

Bat

Piece of wood that the batter uses to hit the ball; its maximum length is 42 inches.

Baseball

Hard ball with a circumference of 9 inches; its outer layer is made of two white pieces of leather sewn together.

Cross section of a baseball: A baseball has a cork core, which is wrapped in layers of rubber, wound with yarn and covered with leather.

Stitches. The sewing that joins the two parts of the cover; it traditionally uses red thread.

Cover Outer layer of the ball made up of two white pieces of leather joined by stitching.

Cork ball: Small sphere of cork that forms the central part of the ball.

Yarn ball: Yarn wound around the center of the ball.

Fielder’s glove

Piece of leather covering the hand and wrist and varying in size and shape, depending on the player’s position; it is used to catch the ball.

Finger: Part of the glove that covers each of the fingers.

Palm: Part of the glove that covers the hollow of the hand.

Thumb: Part of the glove covering the thumb. Strap: The intersecting leather straps that make up

the web. Web: Part of the glove between the thumb and the

index finger; it forms a small pocket in which the ball is caught.

Heel: The bottom part of the glove. Lace: Narrow cord passed through the eyelets to

join or tighten the parts of the glove.