Baseball+Rules

= Baseball Rules = Home This will be a description for the main rules stated fairly briefly. For a full rule list visit this link. Baseball consists of two teams who faceoff against eachother in 9 innings. In each inning both teams must defend and bat. The batting team uses its players in a list called the batting list, in which the players up to bat must follow the order of the list. The defensive team uses 9 players to defend against the person up to bat. On the defending team there is a pitcher which must throw the ball from the pitching mound over the home plate (for more information on positioning visit the Player Positioning Page).

If the ball is thrown in a small area over the base then it is a fair ball and must be hit. If the ball is not hit the batter receives 1 strike. Hitting the ball out of bounds also counts as a strike except if the player already has 2 strikes. If the pitch is not in the pitching zone then the batter can choose not to hit the ball giving a "ball". If four balls are thrown then the batting player gets awarded a base. If the batter gets three strikes then the batting team is given an out. The batter must stand next to the plate and attempt to use a bat and hit the ball out of mid air. If the ball is hit the batter runs to first base, and must decide if there is enough time to make it to the next base without the defending team getting the ball to the base and leading to an out. There are 4 bases including home plate which all make the shape of a diamond. In order to score points the batting team must make it around all bases to home plate. Players may choose to stay on a base and continue to run to the next base as his or her teammate makes a hit. If the ball is hit out of the park but in between the foul lines then any player on base and the person who hit the home run get to lap around the bases and gain points.

The defending team must attempt to get the other team three "outs." Outs can occur from catching the ball off a hit without it hitting the ground. If it hits the ground then the defending team must pick up the ball and attempt to get it to a base a player is running to to get that player out. The play stops when the ball is in complete control and no runners can move bases. The third way for the defensive team to get the other team out is by getting three strikes on the batter. After three outs teams switch from defending to hitting, and from hitting to defending. If the game is tied then extra innings are added.