Alexander Cartwright helped in compiling and publishing an early list of rules for the game in 1845 called the Knickerbocker Rules. Modern baseball rules have evolved from these rules.

Baseball is played between two teams composed of nine players each, watched over by officials called umpires. There can be as much as four umpires in major baseball games, and as few as one, depending on the importance of the game.

The game is played in nine innings, or fewer, as is the case with the little league. Each team gets one turn to bat and attempt to score runs, while the other team pitches and defends. Each half-inning, the defending team must get three outs from the other team. A player who has been tagged out can only sit in the bleachers and wait for his next turn to bat. The way to get batters and baserunners out are by catching a batted ball in the air without it having touched the ground, tag outs, force outs, and strikeouts.

The baserunner who successfully touches home plate after touching all bases in order scores a point. In an enclosed field, a ball hit over the fence is normally an automatic home run. This entitles the batter and all baserunners to score. A home run hit with all bases occupied or loaded is called a grand slam.

Most teams consist of:

• 7 Relievers (Long Reliever, Middle Reliever, Left-Handed Specialist, Set-up man, Closer)
• 5 Starting Pitchers
• 4 bench payers (subs, pinch hitters, pinch runners, usually 2 extra infielders and 2 extra outfielders)
• 2 Catchers (starter and sub)
• 1 1st baseman
• 1 2nd baseman
• 1 3rd baseman
• 1 shortstop
• 1 left fielder
• 1 right fielder
• 1 center fielder

Preview and history
Hall of Fame

Latest Sports News