The Basics of Baseball for middle school physical education class’s By: Scott Donocoff

The Game Baseball is a game played by two teams Each team has 9 players on the field One team plays the field, while the other bats. In a 9 inning game An inning consists of each team batting and playing the field at least once In each inning the batting team sends one player, known as the batter, in turn, to bat, until three hitters are out.

The Game The fielding team has 9 players in the field. There is different positions for each player. There are 9 different positions in the field Each Team when batting is trying to score a run in order to win The team with the most scores at the end of the game wins.

The Game Each team that is batting wants to hit the ball thrown by the pitcher and get onto a base. - The batting team keeps hitting until the fielding team gets 3 outs. - an out is when the team that is fielding tags the base before the hitter gets there, or strikes the batter out - The hitter will receive 3 strikes ( pitches over the plate) or 4 balls ( pitches not over the plate)

The Field

The In-Field 9 position on the field while the game is in play. There is an infield which on consists of: -1st base -2nd base -3rd base -pitchers mound -home plate

The Outfield The outfield consists of 3 players Each player covers a part of the outfield -Left Field -center Field -Right Field

Positions Pitcher This is the number 1 position The pitchers roll is to pitch the ball to each batter. This position also is responsible for the middle of diamond in any fielding situation. A pitcher should have good throwing speed and accuracy while throwing the ball.

Positions Catcher- is behind home plate and catches the pitches from the pitcher. The catcher is responsible to catch , or at least block, all the pitches to prevent base runners from advancing. The catcher is also responsible for catching any pop-ups into the foul territory and tag out runners who are attempting to score.

Positions First base (position 3). The first baseman's job, beside just fielding balls hit in his direction, is mainly to catch throws from the other infielders (2B, 3B and SS) in order to get the batter out and cause one out for his team The first baseman stays right next to the base, but not on top of the base.

Positions 2nd Basemen Cover first base on bunts and topped balls that the 1st baseman goes in on. When covering first base get over there quickly so players fielding the ball have a target to throw to. Cover second base on ground balls hit to short or third with a runner on first base and on balls hit to left and left centerfield. Go out and be the relay man on balls hit to right field

Positions Shortstop Is line up in between 3rd base and 2nd base. Cover second on hits to the right side of the base. Cover second base is someone try’s to steal or back up the second baseman. Same thing with 3rd base. Go out and be the relay man on balls hit to left and center field. With base runners on base make sure Short Stop and 2nd back-up catcher’s throw back to the pitcher

Positions Outfielders Catch all balls hit to the outfield Make sure you let the other players know you are going to catch the ball Get the ball back into the in field as fast as possible Use a relay man if the runner is trying to go for extra bases

Rules Ways the hitting team can get onto base 1. Hit 2. Walk 3. Hit by Pitch 4. Fielder's Choice 5. Reached on Error

Rules The pitcher must throw the ball from the pitchers mound to home plate The distance from the mound to home plate is 60 feet The pitcher has to get 3 strikes in order to get the batter out A fail ball counts as a strike, but you can not strike out on fail balls

Rules When the batter has hit the ball, the hitter has to run to first, then second, then third, then home. The hitter much touch each base in order for it count. If the batter hits the ball and the fielder touches the base or the batter before the batter touches the base, its an out.

Rules Ways to get an out in baseball Hits fair or foul ball is legally caught by a fielder The batter hits the ball, and it is caught by a fielder The fielder tags the base the runner is getting to before the hitter gets there The ball hits the batter after it is in play

Types of Baseball Equipment Catching Equipment A catcher has his own equipment that most be worn. It consists of: -Helmet -Knee guards -Mask -Chest protector -and a mitt

Types of Baseball Equipment Batters All Batters must wear a helmet Batter use a bat (wooden for pro) Younger baseball players can use metal or aluminum Fielders Fielders wear a glove in the field to catch the ball Different gloves are worn for different positions

PLAY BALL!