Rodrigo B. Garcia Ella Ray R. Quiocho Team Sport Baseball Rodrigo B. Garcia Ella Ray R. Quiocho

Brief History of Baseball Baseball evolved from the British game of Rounders, and is a cousin to cricket in that it also involves two teams that alternate on defense and offense and involve throwing a ball to a batsman who attempts to "bat" it away and run safely to a base. The first documentation of base ball is in 1838, but there are references to a game of base ball going back to the late 1700s. The story promoted as the “invention” of baseball by Abner Doubleday, a Civil War hero for the Union, has largely been discredited. The first published rules of baseball were written in 1845 for a New York base ball club called the Knickerbockers. The author, Alexander Joy Cartwright, is one person commonly known as "the father of baseball." Cartwright laid out rules for playing the game for the first time, and made one important change. No longer could an out be recorded by "plugging" a runner (hitting him with the ball). The rules required fielders to tag or force the runner, which is still the rule today.

Fundamental Skills of Baseball THROWING - Throwing is the most basic skill in baseball and softball. It allows the team to prevent their opponents from touching bases or even earning points or runs. Pitching - Pitching is a skill that puts the game to play. It is performed by a pitcher, one of the key players in baseball/softball who stays at the center of the playing field called diamond. Catching - This is a defensive skill used to receive a thrown ball and hold a base runner or batter from proceeding or preventing them from earning a point or a run. Hitting/Batting - This is an offensive skill used to strike the pitched ball using a bat done to advance to the bases and eventually leading to earning a run or point. Base-Running - This is a very important skill you need to master because it allows you to advance from one base to the other with full speed and agility safely.

Throwing Grip Grip the ball across the seams with your index and middle finger. The thumb is under the top fingers. Wind-up Raise the throwing arm up and turn the shoulder in the direction of the throw. The gloved hand points toward the target. Raise left foot and place all the weight of the body on the right foot. Delivery Make a backward swing with bent elbows; lean forward in transferring wieght to the left foot and release the ball. Back to Fundamental skills

Pitching Wind-up Keep the front part of the right foot in contact with the side of the plate. Shift the weight to the back leg and take a backward step. Pivot Pivot on the ball of the front foot to turn parallel to the plate. Lift the left foot. Stride Take a stride or wide step with your left foot. Release Follow-through After the relase of the ball, continue the forward motion, with the throwing arm pointing to the target. Back to Fundamental skills

Catching Hold your glove open and keep a visual on the ball at all times; Keep your free hand in front of you and bring it on top of the glove as the ball approaches; and Close your hand over the ball the moment it hits inside your glove. Back to Fundamental skills

Hitting/Batting Gripping-use your fingers in gripping the bat and tighten your grip as ball approaches. Stance-proper stance includes slightly bending your knees, feet parallel to the plates in shoulder width distance and bat tilted at 45 degrees and not positioned over the shoulder. Stride-as the ball approaches, stride right foot a little backward to gain momentum Swing-after a little stride backward, transfer the strength generated by the body towards the arms to bat as it swings parallel to the ground aiming a the ball and directing it to the intended destination. Back to Fundamental skills

Base-Running Back to Fundamental skills To condition the body for efficient and effective running, you must take into consideration the following: Speed Running-running with speed from one point to a definite distance. Try getting your time as you run and improve your speed everytime you do it. Agility Running-running with a change in position and direction in the fastest possible speed you can. To master this, you might as well consider running through the bases of the diamond. Improve your speed everytime you do it. Before the start of any baseball/softball drill lessons, lead-up or actual game, consider doing a combination of the following exercises that may help you improve your running: Shuffle, Back Pedal, Jogging, High Knees, Carioca, Butt Kicks, Jumping Jacks. Back to Fundamental skills

Rounders Baseball was based on the English game of rounders. Rounders become popular in the United States in the early 19th century, where the game was called "townball", "base", or "baseball". Alexander Cartwright formalized the modern rules of baseball. Yes, others were making their own versions of the game at the time, however, the Knickerbockers style of the game was the one that became the most popular. Back to History of Baseball

Alexander Cartwright Alexander Cartwright (1820-1892) of New York invented the modern baseball field in 1845. Alexander Cartwright and the members of his New York Knickerbocker Base Ball Club, devised the first rules and regulations that were accepted for the modern game of baseball. Back to History of Baseball

Fundamental Skills of Baseball Catching and Throwing Batting Base Running