Introduction

Baseball's stature in the history of the United States is perhaps reflected more clearly in a simple dictionary rather than in the seven-centimetre-thick baseball encyclopaedia.

There, you can find the word Ruthian, meaning "of mammoth proportions", as in a home run by Babe Ruth back in the 1920s. There, you can find Lou Gehrig's disease, as the incurable degenerative illness amyotrophic lateral sclerosis has been better known since Lou Gehrig, Ruth's team-mate, died from it in the 1940s. In the United States, baseball and the English language are interwoven.

However, just as the game did not begin as a wholly US enterprise, it did not end the 20th century as one either. Baseball's all-time home-run champion is a man named Sadaharu Oh, who hit 868 during a legendary career in baseball-mad Japan. The national team of Cuba overpowered the Baltimore Orioles of the US major leagues 12-6 in a 1999 exhibition game.

American baseball became a full medal sport in Barcelona in 1992.

Understanding Baseball

Baseball is played by two teams, nine players on the field each. The game begins with the team playing defence (in the field): the Pitcher throws the ball to the Catcher standing behind Home Plate.

The ball

The ball is in the shape of a sphere with a diameter of approx. 7 centimetres and a circumference of 23 centimetres.

It is normally made out of cork and rubber and weighs 142-149 grams.

The gloves

Players in the defence use different leather gloves depending on their relative position in the field.

A Catcher's mitt has better coating (up to 87 centimetres) and may only be used by the Catcher. A longer glove is used by first basemen to receive balls from the Infielders during the game. A smaller, Infielder's glove is used by first and second basemen, as well as the one in between (shortstop). The Pitcher also uses a medium-size glove to hide his pitch from the batter and protect himself from line drives (esp. since he is the player closest to the Batter).

A bigger, Outfielder's glove, used to catch the ball from high in the air easily by right, center, and left fielders.

The bat

White or blue ash, a bat has a maximum 7-centimeter diameter and 106-centimeter length.

It is used by the team at bat. In Olympic Baseball tournaments only wooden bats are used.

The helmet

Both the Batter and all Baserunners must wear a helmet to protect themselves from stray balls.

The uniform

All players and coaches of the same team must wear the same uniform. It consists of: cap, undershirt, shirt, trousers, socks, cleats (spiked shoes).

A catcher's gear

A catcher's protective gear consists of the following: mask, helmet, chest, protector, leg Guards.

A catcher needs protection since he receives pitched balls which can travel as fast as 100 miles an hour.

Teams

Players of the defensive team have designated places and roles (Basemen, Shortstop, etc.). Players of the offensive team enter the field alternatively as Batters according to a predetermined batting order.

Field of play

The shape and dimensions of a baseball field are unique. The infield is for the most part laid with grass, while the Pitcher's Mound, Home Plate area, the base paths, and the outfield (warning track) are covered with clay.

The inner zone is called a "diamond" because of the way it appears to a viewer standing on Home Plate. The arc connecting the Home Plate to the outfield fence has a minimum distance of 98 metres from either side of the foul lines and a maximum distance of 122 metres from the outfield fence centre. (All the above are given in Olympic dimensions)

Games objectives

Team at bat: The Batter's objective is to hit the ball as far as possible within the field and then run.

A point (run) is scored if the batter manages to advance through all three bases and return home safely. A team can only score a run when at bat.

Baseball is the only team sport in which a player (the Batter) can sacrifice himself by bunting and thus giving the advantage to his teammate Baserunner to advance to the next base.

Team in the field: Its objective is to defend its bases and prevent its opponent from scoring by getting the Batter out.

Getting the Batter out:

1     By catching the batted ball in the air

2     By fielding the ball and then throwing it to first base. If the ball reaches the first baseman before the Batter gets there, he is out.

3     Getting three strikes called on the batter.

In addition the fielders try to get Baserunners out by throwing the ball to the fielder standing next to the base the Baserunner is trying to reach.  If the ball reaches the baseman before the Baserunner gets there he is out.

There is no fixed time in Baseball.  Each game consists of 9 innings (rounds). The team to score more runs is the winner. There are no tied games in baseball. If the game is tied after nine innings, one or more innings are played until one of the teams scores a run to break the tie. That team  is then declared winner.

In each inning the teams must alternate and play both at bat and in the field. When the team in the field manages to get three players of the team at bat out, then a half-inning is complete and the teams must alternate positions.

The 3 strikes - 4 balls rule

Three (3) failed attempts by the Batter to hit the ball, even if the ball is outside strike zone, lead to a "strike-out": the Batter causes an out for his team in that inning. 

Four (4) pitches outside strike zone, which the Batter does not attempt to hit, lead to a "walk": the Batter is advanced to first base.

International Baseball Federation
European Baseball Confederation