Introduction
As a basic introduction into a conversation Baseball is quite an interesting topic. It is a bat-and-ball game consisting of two opposing teams each having nine players playing on a baseball field also known as the diamond. Each team is either the offensive team (batting team) or the defensive team (fielding team). The offensive team’s job is to hit or bat the ball into the field of play and to score a “run” by having its runners advance counter-clockwise around four bases. The job of the defensive team is to prevent the offensive team from scoring a run and this could be by preventing the batter or runner from completing the circuit or running around the four bases. As the name implies, the field team is the team that throws the ball and tries to stop catch it when the other team player, the batter, hits it.
A side scores a run when the player (runner) legally runs around the four bases, completing the circuit of the diamond and touches home plate. The home plate is the point where the batter became a runner. The objective of the game is to score more runs than the other team.
It sounds simple when described like this but its execution is challenging and requires constant practice and skill to pull through. This article, therefore, is designed to be as informative as possible. We will break down the complex game and explain some of the basic rules. This will be the best baseball essay you’ve ever read!
Let’s start with a Brief History of Baseball
According to history, It was first played in the 18th century in England and was brought to North America by immigrants where it became a more developed and popular sport. It is most prominent in America and East Asia. The importance of baseball in America has been a long-standing subtle argument. While some schools of thought believe that Baseball is a game owned by America. It is considered a National Pastime, a Native American sport. Another school of thought believes that the group that sees it as American are just being sentimental. They think that the game is merely an occasional diversion. According to history, it is believed that AG Spalding, based on flimsy research, declared Abner Doubleday as the inventor of baseball in Cooperstown, New York, 1839.
How does Baseball Work?
In modern baseball games, a Major League Baseball team has a list of 25 players with definite roles. The major roles are Pitching, Batting and Running. However, there are eight player positions which are the Catcher, four infielders, and three outfielders and they all play regularly.
The length of a Baseball game is not restricted by time as compared to most games like football which spans over 90 minutes. Instead, the game is played over a period of 9 innings. The field has primary boundaries, known as the foul lines and they extend from the home plate at angle 45 degrees. There is an area, about 90 degrees within the foul lines which is referred to as fair territory while the 270-degree area in a foul territory.
A typical team position will have, for example, the catcher at the pointed end of the diamond, flanked in front by either third base or first base and the pitcher, directly in front of him.
To begin, a batter stands at home plate of the diamond, holding his bat and waiting for the pitcher standing on a raised mound of dirt called the Pitcher’s mound, to pitch the ball towards the home plate. The batter in response attempts to hit the ball back with the bat. If the batter is unable to hit the ball probably because he missed the ball or decided not to take a swing, the catcher tries to catch it.
If the batter hits the ball into the field of play, he must drop the bat and begin to run toward first base. At this point, the batter becomes a runner. If he is isn’t put out before reaching first base he is said to be safe and on base. The runner records a hit when he is able to successfully reach base without being put out by the fielders. This hit is called a single. If he gets to second base, it’s called a double while at third base it’s called a triple. When the player reaches third base he must go back home to score a run.
The two teams take turns playing offensive and defensive. After three outs are recorded by the offensive team, the teams switch for the next half inning and the offensive team starts to play defensive.
Conclusion
In Conclusion, Baseball is a popular game that has been woven into the fabric of American life and identity (Walt Whitman). Even today, it still serves a national pastime regardless of other schools of thought. So, the next time you want to relax, consider going for a baseball game.
