Baseball

Tommy Milone gives up a home run to Mike Trout on May 21, 2017

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Baseball diamond

DR vs PR. World Baseball Classic

David-ortiz-batters-box

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Navy baseball

Baseball is a bat-and-ball game played between two opposing teams who take turns batting and fielding. The game proceeds when a player on the fielding team, called the pitcher, throws a ball which a player on the batting team tries to hit with a bat. The objective of the offensive team (batting team) is to hit the ball into the field of play, allowing its players to run the bases, having them advance counter-clockwise around four bases to score what are called "runs". The objective of the defensive team (fielding team) is to prevent batters from becoming runners, and to prevent runners' advance around the bases. A run is scored when a runner legally advances around the bases in order and touches home plate (the place where the player started as a batter). The team that scores the most runs by the end of the game is the winner.

The modern form of baseball is based on the early English game of rounders and was developed in the United States in the late 18th century. It became widely recognized as the national sport of the United States. Baseball is popular in North America and parts of Central and South America, the Caribbean, and East Asia, particularly in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

History

Baseball's history is rich and complex, evolving from older bat-and-ball games into the modern game played today. Its exact origins are difficult to determine; however, it is believed that baseball evolved from a mix of cricket and rounders, both of which were imported from England. By the mid-19th century, baseball was widely recognized as a distinct sport with formalized rules.

Rules and Gameplay

A standard game of baseball is played over nine innings, with each team alternating between batting and fielding in each inning. The team with the most runs at the end of the game wins. If the score is tied at the end of nine innings, extra innings are played to resolve the contest.

1. 1. 1. Pitching and Batting

The pitcher stands on the pitcher's mound and throws the ball towards the catcher, aiming to get the batter out by means of strikeouts, flyouts, or groundouts. The batter attempts to hit the ball into the field of play and run the bases.

1. 1. 1. Fielding

The fielding team's objective is to get the batters or runners out by various means. This includes catching a batted ball in the air, tagging runners with the ball before they reach a base, or forcing them out by holding the ball while touching a base.

1. 1. 1. Bases and Running

The bases must be touched in order: first, second, third, and home plate. Runners attempt to advance and score while avoiding being out.

Equipment

The basic equipment in baseball includes the bat, a ball, gloves for the fielders, protective gear for the catcher, and bases for the field.

Major Leagues and Competitions

The Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada is the foremost professional baseball league, featuring 30 teams. Other significant leagues and competitions exist worldwide, including the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in Japan.

Cultural Impact

Baseball holds a significant place in American culture, often referred to as the "national pastime." It has influenced various aspects of society and culture, including civil rights, with players like Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier, and has been a source of inspiration in literature, film, and music.