Baseball is one of the most famous and loved sports in the United States. To those who are new to baseball, the rules of baseball may seem complicated and confusing. However, once you understand how to prepare the field, how to play in attack, and when to defend, you can join or start your own baseball game.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Preparing the Team
Step 1. Gather five players
You will need a minimum of five people to form a defensive team. If the number of players is less, the game can still be carried out, but each player must cover more game areas. This can make it difficult for players to catch the ball that is hit by an opponent so try to get nine players.
Step 2. Determine the pitcher (ball thrower) and catcher catch the ball
The pitcher is the player who stands in the middle of the field and throws the ball to the bat. The catcher will crouch behind the batter on the home plate to catch the ball if the batter fails to hit it.
Make sure the catcher is wearing protective gear, such as a face mask because the pitcher will throw the ball fast and hard, which can cause injury to the catcher
Step 3. Select the infielders
Infielders are players who play around the infield and are tasked with protecting the base. One player should be assigned to guard the first, second, and third bases, and they are referred to as "basemen". Set the fourth player as a shortstop, which is a position that supports the basement and helps catch the ball in the deep court.
Step 4. Select an outfielder
The three players who are on the outfield are the right fielder, center fielder, and left fielder. These players are tasked with catching the ball that bounces into the outer court and chasing the ball that makes it through the inner court.
Part 2 of 4: Preparing the Field
Step 1. Place all four bases on the court
There are four bases (first, second, third, and home) which are "safe places" for runners during play. This base is made of canvas or rubber which is arranged on the field to form a square, although it is commonly referred to as a diamond.
- Bases are numbered counterclockwise from the home plate: first, second, and third bases. The second base, home plate, and pitcher's mound are in a straight line.
- One base is approximately 27.5 meters apart from the previous base.
- The line connecting the bases is made of earth so runners can slide to the base, while the rest of the court is made of grass.
Step 2. Prepare the pitchers' mound
The pitcher stands on the ground in the middle of the diamond, approximately 18 meters from the home plate. On top of the mound, place a small rubber plate, where the pitcher will throw.
Step 3. Mark the foul line with paint
A baseball that is hit and lands to the left of third base or right of first base (as seen on the home plate day) is considered a "foul ball" which does not invalidate play. The foul line extends from the home plate to first and third base, then continues towards the outfield.
Step 4. Mark the batter box with paint
The batter may stand to the right or left of the home plate, depending on his dominant hand. Make a box measuring 1 x 2 meters on the right and left of the home plate.
Step 5. Check the catcher box
Just behind the home plate, mark the small box where the catcher and the referee will crouch or stand and monitor the ball the pitcher throws.
Part 3 of 4: Play as the Attacking Party
Step 1. Instruct the batter to prepare on the plate
The batter will go to the home plate and stand next to it, in one of the batter's boxes, then wait for the pitcher to throw the ball. Batter may practice his swing until the pitcher is ready to start.
During attack, all players serve as batters, who try to hit the ball in turns
Step 2. Monitor the balls that are thrown
Batter must try to predict whether the ball can be hit. They can determine whether the ball will be hit, or not swing and let the ball pass to be caught by the opponent's catcher. If the batter does not swing the bat, the referee will make one of the following three decisions: strike, ball, or foul ball.
- “Strike” indicates that the batter squandered the opportunity to hit, or swung the bat, but failed to hit the ball. Batter is charged out after obtaining three strikes.
- “Ball” occurs when the pitcher throws the ball too far outside the hitting area that is considered within reach of the batter and the batter doesn't swing the bat. After four balls, batters are asked to "walk", ie players are free to advance to first base. Batter will sometimes try to fill all the plates and get a walk instead of hitting the ball.
- “Foul ball” occurs when the ball hit by the batter lands outside the foul line or enters the foul area before reaching first or third base. This ball is considered "dead", and all runners must return to their original base without fear of being ejected by their opponent. Usually a foul ball counts as a strike; however, in most cases, a foul does not count as a strike if the batter has received two strikes. However, there are exceptions if the foul ball from the batter enters the catcher glove, or the batter bunts (the ball bounces only slowly forward) which is a foul.
Step 3. Swing the bat
While standing with your feet parallel and your knees slightly bent, hold the bat perpendicular to the base with both hands. Swing forward in a fast, fluid motion, and at the same time, shift your weight from your back leg to your front leg. Don't forget to keep your eyes on the ball to increase your chances of hitting the ball.
Step 4. Run to the base
As the hit ball glides across the court, either hovering or rolling on the ground, the batter (now a runner) drops the bat and runs as fast as possible to first base. As long as the runner doesn't get an out, he or she can stop at first base, or continue until it's no longer safe.
- A runner can be ejected if the defending player touches the ball to a runner who has not touched base (and has not crossed first base).
- Batter will be automatically charged out if the ball is caught by the defender before it hits the wall or the ground. This is called a flyout. If this out is not the third in the inning, all runners must return to their original base after the flyout. Runners can be ejected by throwing the ball back to the base they must reach.
- The batter can be forced out if the ball hit hits the ground, but then the defender gets it and hits first base before the runners can reach it. Runners who are "forced" to advance to the next base can also be removed this way.
Step 5. Steal the base
In most cases, the runner will not be able to pass all the bases in one game so he must stop at one base and wait for the next batter to enter the bat. However, runners can try to "steal" the base by running towards it as soon as the pitcher throws it at the batter.
Since the pitcher is usually the best pitcher on the team, it's not always advisable to try to steal base; the pitcher can turn around and throw the ball at the basement instead of the batter, and runners can be ejected easily. Junior baseball leagues generally don't allow players to steal base until after the ball has crossed the home plate
Step 6. Fill in the base
Only one runner may fill the base at a time. When all bases contain runners, the attacking team is said to be “bases loaded”, meaning that the next hit or walk is confirmed to result in a score, or an out.
Step 7. Hit a home run
Sometimes, the batter is able to hit the ball so hard that he can go through all the bases before getting out and scoring. This is what is called a "home run". Usually, a home run is the result of the ball being hit past the fence behind the outfield so that the opposing defender cannot do anything and can only watch.
A home run performed while the entire base is filled with runners is named “grand slam”, which will result in 4 scores (one for each runner). Although rare, a grand slam can turn the tide of a difficult match, or ensure a team victory
Step 8. Hit forward for regular play
Home runs are fun, but not common enough to be reliable. So it's best to focus on learning how far you can run after a regular hit. By knowing when you need to stop and wait, you can stay longer on the field and increase your chances of scoring.
Step 9. Prevent getting three outs
If the attacking team has three outs, the two teams change positions. The defending team now has the opportunity to attack, and the attacking team must now defend. While defending, the team could not score.
- Baseball games consist of five periods called innings. Each inning is divided into two parts: “up” and “down”. When the attacking team has received three outs, the match switches to "down" the current inning, or to "over" the next inning.
- Runners score for the attacking team when they get past the home plate. The score is not validated if 1) the runner who reaches the home plate is not at his home plate during or after the flyout; 2) the runner touches the home plate after the defending team has recorded a third out; or 3) the runner reaches the home plate, but at the same time the defending player is able to force a third out, even if the home plate is reached before the out is recorded.
Part 4 of 4: Play as the Defender
Step 1. Throw the ball
The pitcher must stand on the pitcher's mound and throw the ball at the batter and try to get an out. Pitchers usually use fastball, curveball, changeup, and sliders to beat batters.
- Fastball as the name implies, which is a very fast throw, like a curveball.
- The changeup involves the pitcher pretending to throw the ball, but actually throwing the ball much slower and outwitting the timing of the opposing batter.
Step 2. Try to catch the ball after it has been hit
If the ball hits the batter will either fly through the air or roll on the ground. The defending team, which is spread over the inside and outside courts, will try to catch the ball before it hits the ground. This automatically results in an out for the batter and he is not allowed to continue to the next base.
If the ball hits the ground before anyone can catch it, the defending team must pick it up immediately and pass it to a teammate who is close enough to knock out the runner
Step 3. Try touching the ball to the runner's body to get it out
As long as the defending team player holds the ball, he can touch the ball to the runner (tag) when he tries to reach base, and the runner will be out of play. In addition, the baseman (player who guards the base) can catch the ball and put one foot on the base to remove runners who are trying to reach that base.
Step 4. Take out multiple runners at once
When the position of all players allows, the fielder can do a game called double play or even triple play, where the team gets 2-3 outs in one game.
- Triple play is quite rare, but is possible during certain flyouts, or when there are enough available out opportunities.
- Double play is quite common and is often done by forcing the runners out at second base, then batters before reaching first base.
Step 5. Keep playing until you get the correct number of innings
Unlike basketball and other team sports, baseball has no clock or timer. Baseball matches are played until all innings are complete. At the end of the last inning, the team with the most scores wins.
- Because this can cause the game to last longer, teams usually have several substitutes, especially an extra pitcher (called a relief pitcher) to keep the game optimal from start to finish.
- If both teams draw at the end of the last inning, an additional inning will take place. Baseball games rarely end in a draw; Usually, extra innings are added until one team manages to score. If the team that scores is the away team, it means that the home team has one more chance to score. If the home team fails to score, the away team wins.
Expert Tips
Practice the following areas to improve your reaction time:
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Raise awareness on the ground.
If you want to improve reaction time, practice sharpness on the court. You have to be alert and understand the situation so you know where you need to be even before the ball is thrown.
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Go through explosive training.
To improve your reaction time, do explosive fast-twitch drills, quick first-step drills, sprints, and drop-step drills for outfielders. Also, try the short jump exercise; The trick, the coach will hit the ball hard to the ground, and you have to catch it.
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Understand your opponent.
When you are playing against other teams, you have to understand what the odds will be statistically based on the opponents you are facing. To do this, you need to study the team and the other players.
Tips
- Don't start playing in a team until you've practiced enough and know the rules of the game. If you still don't know how to play baseball, join a team created especially for new players.
- Don't look away when the pitcher throws the ball.
- Always watch the ball. Don't hit the ball if you have to turn your head to see it because it's more likely to be a ball.
- Learn and practice as much as possible. You can get a lot of information from friends who play baseball, books, guides, and courses. You will learn a lot from baseball by playing and getting used to it.
- To prevent the risk of collision or head injury, it is recommended for runners who want to slide to second, third and home plates to put their feet first, especially in fierce games.
- Be patient. Learning how to play baseball takes time and effort, and more to become proficient. Each position on the field has its own challenges. If you're persistent, you'll end up having fun and getting more fluent each time you play.
- If you're new to the defensive game, keep gloves close to your face. So if the ball is hit or thrown near your face, your chances of getting hurt are reduced (you may even catch the ball).
- Never intentionally hit or direct a baseball into someone else's yard. Do everything you can to prevent this from happening. Don't climb over the fence to pick up the ball if you can't see where it landed.
Warning
- Wear protective gear when playing baseball. Try to wear a batter's helmet, and the catcher should always wear a mask, helmet, and chest, knee, shin, and foot protectors (same equipment as referees wear).
- Always provide plenty of drinking water so that players can maintain body fluids during the game. In addition, try to ensure that all players have access to a nearby toilet, or portable toilet, especially if there is no forest near the playing field, or one or both teams have female players.
