| 1-
History & Object of the Game
2- The Essentials
(Offense & Defense, Scoring, etc.)
3- Field Diagram &
Positions
4- Glossary
of Baseball Terms
Field of Play
Baseball is played on a large grass
and dirt field. The field includes
fair
territory inside the two foul
lines and foul
territory outside the foul lines.
Baseball fields have some common characteristics:
Bases: A baseball “diamond”
consists of four bases placed in a
square. The bases are 1st
base, 2nd base, 3rd base, and home
plate.
Infield: The area around
the four bases, the surface of which
is generally grass and packed dirt.
Outfield: The grassy area
beyond the infield.
Foul Lines: Two lines (first
and third base line) that distinguish
fair territory from foul territory.
A ball that hits the foul line is
called fair.
Foul Poles: Poles stationed
at the end of each foul line to distinguish
fair territory from foul territory
for balls hit over the outfield fence.
A ball that hits the foul pole is
a home
run.
Pitcher’s Mound: The
raised area in the middle of the diamond
from which the pitcher throws the
ball.
Batter’s box: Box marked
with chalk near home plate that a
batter must stay within while batting.
Positions
Two teams compete in each baseball
game. Nine players man the field,
while nine batters hit in a predetermined
order for each team, known as the
“batting order” or “lineup.”
The players who have defensive positions,
often called “fielders,”
are the same ones that bat during
the other half of the inning. The
nine defensive positions can be grouped
into two general categories: infielders
and outfielders.
Infielders
 Pitcher:
Pitches the ball from the pitcher’s
mound to the catcher.
 Catcher:
Crouches behind home plate and receives
pitches thrown by the pitcher. Also
receives throws from fielders attempting
to make outs at home plate.
 First
Baseman: “Fields,” or
defends, balls hit near the 1st base
line. Receives throws from fielders
attempting to make outs at 1st base.
 Second
Baseman: Fields balls hit near
2nd base. Receives throws
from fielders attempting to make outs
at 2nd base. Often involved in a double-play.
 Third
Baseman: Fields balls hit near
the 3rd base line. Receives
throws from other fielders attempting
to make outs at 3rd base.
 Shortstop:
Fields balls hit between the second
baseman and third baseman. Covers
2nd base when the ball is hit to the
second baseman.
Outfielders
Three outfielders — left fielder,
center fielder and right fielder —
attempt to catch balls hit into their
portion of the outfield. Balls hit
to the outfield are generally ground
balls or fly balls hit past the infield.
Other
Some teams also use a designated
hitter that bats for one fielder and
does not play a position on the field.
Other positions include substitute
players who may be introduced, called
“pinch hitters” who replace
a batter, or “pinch runners”
who replace a base runner. Once a
player has been substituted, he may
not return.
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