2. Mike Herrmann Audience: 6 th Grade Students

3.  Major league baseball is composed of two leagues  National League - 1876 - present  American League – 1901 – present  Commonly known as “America’s Pastime ”

4.  Each game is between 2 teams  Each game is has 9 innings  There are 3 outs per inning  There are 9 players on the field at a time  The pitcher tries to strike out the batter  The batter tries to hit the ball and score

5.  There are 4 bases  Players much touch all bases to score  All bases are 90 feet apart  The pitchers mound is 60 feet from home plate  Bases are called First-Second-Third-Home  Touching home plate scores a run

6.  First, Second and Third Base are square  Home plate is a pentagon shape  They form together in a diamond shape  These bases shape the infield

7.  Each batter gets 3 strikes or 4 balls  3 strikes is an out for the batter  4 balls is a walk-batter goes to first base  A ball out side of home plate is a ball  A ball over the plate is a strike  A swing and miss is a strike  There are 9 players in a lineup

8.  Types of hits  Single-Player reaches to first base  Double-Player reaches to second base  Triple-Player reaches to third base  Home Run-Player hits ball over fence  Player can jog around bases  Any other players on base also score

9.  Bunt:  Used to move another runner to the next base  Player puts bat out in front of the plate  Tries to hit the ball so it rolls down a baseline

10.  An effective but risky strategy  Used to move the runner to the next base  The base runner starts with taking a lead  How many steps off the base the runner is before the pitch is thrown  Runner starts running when pitcher first moves  Catcher attempts to throw out runner

11.  There are 9 positions of the field  There is an infield and outfield  Infield Positions:  1 st base, 2 nd base, short stop, third base  Pitcher and catcher  Outfield positions:  Right field, Left field, Center Field

12.  Objective of defense is to get 3 outs  Players must get ball to first basemen  This must happen before the runner gets there  Force out:  When infielder simply steps on base with the ball  Tag Out:  When player must tag runner with the ball

13. Tag Out Force Out

14.  Pitcher Goals  Strike out batter  Get batter to ground out  Get batter to fly out  Types of Pitchers  Starter - starts the game  Reliever - comes in if pitcher needs to come out  Closer – Finishes the game for their team

15.  Fastball  The fastest pitch, but only goes straight  Curveball  Ball drops down an away  Drops to the left for right hander's  Drops to the right for left hander's  Change up  A slower pitch that may confuse batter

16.  The catcher controls what happens in the field  He gives signs to the pitcher  He determines what the pitcher throws  Also gives signs to the infield  Calls bunt defense  Calls first and third situation plays

17.  Catcher must throw out stealers  Must stop a bad pitch from getting away  If ball gets away, the runner will steal  Catcher can also call a time out  Catcher can go visit the pitcher on the mound  This is used to calm the pitcher down

18.  Umpires enforce the rules of the game  Home plate umpire  Calls balls, strikes, and plays at home plate  Field Umpires  Call foul or fair balls  Call out or safe plays in the field SAFE

19.  Coaches make almost all decisions  Makes the lineup and positioning  Gives signs throughout the game  Signs are given to batters and base runners STEAL!

20.  Coaches develop players by teaching them  They run practices to prepare players  Their decisions can decide a games fat  There is always two coaches on the field  First and Third base coaches for batting team

21.  Double Play  When two outs are made on one play  Triple Play  When 3 outs are made on one play (very rare)  RBI  Runs batted in (stat for hitters)  HR  Home Run

22.  For additional information, visit the baseball link on the front page of my website  http://users.rowan.edu/~herrma72 http://users.rowan.edu/~herrma72