Dr. Giganto

This is a VERY complicated game, with lots of minute rules, so this might take a while, and I may have to do it in parts. I'll start with the basics.

First of all, I'll describe the geography of the field. There are 2 basic areas to the field:

The infield is defined by the 4 bases, which form a diamond and are 90 feet apart, with exact 90 degree angles between adjacent bases.
The bases are named home (also known as home plate and other nicknames), first base, second base, and third base. In the middle of the infield is the pitcher's mound. Around home there are two boxes lined in chalk. On either side of the plate are the batters boxes. This is where the batter stands. This is an elevated pile of dirt with a slab of rubber on top of it. That slab of rubber is simply called the rubber. The rubber is exactly 60 feet and 6 inches away from home plate. Also, the foul lines are defined as the direct lines that extend from home plate to first base and third base, and are marked off in chalk. The area surrounding the bases and connecting the bases (called the basepaths) are made of dirt. The rest is covered in grass.

The outfield is bounded on the outside by the foul lines, which extend past first and third base all the way to the outfield wall. The wall is the outer boundary. The entire outfield is covered in grass, except for the area closest to the wall, which is called the warning track.

On each side of the field is the dugout. This is where each team stays during the game.

The game is played 9 on 9. The defense plays all 9 guys at one time. The defenders are:

Pitcher: Stands on the pitching mound.

Catcher: Crouches behind home plate.

First baseman: Stands between first and second base, closer to first base

Second baseman: Stands between first and second base, closer to second base

Shortstop: Stands between second and third base, closer to second base.

Third baseman: Stands between second and third base, closer to third base.

Left fielder: Stands in the outfield, on the third base side.

Center fielder: Stands in the middle of the outfield.

Right fielder: Stands in the outfield, on the first base side.

Also, in the American League (Major League Baseball is separated into two leagues: National and American), there is a designated hitter. He does not play defense, but is allowed to play offense for one member of the team (usually the pitcher).

The game is separated into innings. Each inning consists of each team getting one turn at bat. The visiting team bats first. There are two major components to an inning: runs and outs. Outs are bad, and each team is allowed to make three outs before their turn at bat is finished. Runs are baseball's equivalent of points/goals, and you can score as many runs as possible in your turn at bat.

The innings are broken down into at-bats. Each team sets a line-up which determines in which order the nine players bat.

At the beginning of each at-bat, the batter steps into the batter's box. The pitcher then throws the ball to the catcher, and the batter tries to swing and hit the ball (or, he may elect not to swing). If the batter does not swing, there are two things that can happen. A strike is called if the batter swings and misses, or if the ball travels over home plate, at a height somewhere between the batters knees and the upper part of his midsection. This area is called the strike zone. A ball is called if the batter does not swing, and pitch does not go through the strike zone. If a batter gets three strikes in one at-bat (they do not have to be consecutive), it is called a strike out. His at bat is over, and then the next batter comes up to hit. Also, this counts as one of the three outs that each team is allowed to make per inning. If a batter gets four balls in an at-bat (dont have to be consecutive), it is called a walk. He gets to go to first base, and the next batter gets to hit.

If the batter swings and makes contact, there are several things that can happen. If he hits the ball over the outfield wall, it is called a home run. The batter is allowed to round the bases and score a run.

If the batter hits the ball in the air and it is caught before it hits the ground, it is an out. If it is hit high into the air in the outfield, it is called a fly ball. If it is hit high in the air in the infield, it is called a pop-up. If it is hit solidly and a fielder catches the ball, it is called a line out.

If the ball is hit outside the field of play (but not a home run), it is called a foul ball (By contrast, a ball hit into the field of play is called a fair ball). If one of the fielders catches the ball before it hits the ground, it is called an out, specifically, a foul-out. If the ball hits the ground, it counts one strike against the hitter. However, a foul ball cannot be considered a third strike. If a batter has two strikes and fouls the ball off, he still has only two strikes.

If the ball is hit and it hits the ground in the infield, it is called a ground ball, and the runner needs to run to first base as fast as he can. The defenders will try to field the ball and throw it to the first baseman. If the ball reaches the first baseman's glove and the first baseman is stepping on first base, it is an out. If the batter touches the bag first he is called safe. An offensive player is considered safe anytime he is touching one of the bases.

Any time a batter hits the ball and he is safe, it is called a hit. There are four kinds of hits. We have already discussed home runs. If the batter is able to reach first base successfully, it is called a single. If the batter keeps running and makes it to second base without being tagged by a fielder who is holding the baseball, it is called a double (if the player gets tagged by a fielder, it is an out). If the batter keeps running and makes it all the way to third base, it is called a triple. And, if the batter is able to run all the way around the bases, it is called an inside-the-park home run. Also, if the ball is hit and bounces into one of the areas that are out of play (the stands, over the outfield wall, etc), it is called a ground-rule double, and the batter is allowed to go to second base.

Now, after one of these things happens (out, walk, or hit), the next batter comes up to bat. At any time, the runner who is on the base can try to run over and advance to the next base. Usually this is done while the pitcher is making his pitch. If the batter successfully reaches the next base, it is called a stolen base. However, if the defense is able to tag the runner while holding the ball, he is out.

If there is a runner on base, and an out is made on a ball it struck but does not hit the ground, the runner must return to his original base before the defense can throw the ball to that base and touch the base. Once the ball is caught, however, the runner can leave the base and try to advance to the next base.

After the ball hits the ground, if there is a runner on base and the base preceding him is occupied, the runner must advance to the next base before the defense can touch the base while in possession of the ball. If the defense does touch the base, it is called a force out, and the runner is out. Anytime there is a runner on first base, a force out is possible at second base. A force out at third base is only possible when there are runners on noth first and second base. A force out is only possible at home plate if there are runners on first, second, and third base. When there are runners on all three bases, it is called bases loaded. Also, if the runner is trying to advance and is tagged by a fielder in possession of the ball, it is an out. After making a force out, you can still make outs on other baserunners. If you make two outs in one at-bat, it is called a double play. If you make three outs in one at-bat, it is called a triple play. On a batted ball, a runner is allowed to advance as many bases as he wishes, so long as he does not get tagged out. If he starts to advance, and does not think he will make it, he may try to retreat back to the last base he touched. However, if he is tagged during his retreat, he is called out. If, over the course of advancing around the bases, the runner makes it all the way home, a run is scored.

Here are some of the most commonly-used statistics that you may hear while watching baseball or reading about it:

Batting average (AVG): Simply put, the percentage of times a batter gets a hit. It is defined as total hits divided by total at-bats. So, if a batter has exactly 35 hits in 100 at-bats, his batting average would be .350. There are a couple of situations, including walks, that are excluded from the calculation of batting average. The median average is probably in the .270-.280 range, above .300 is very good, and above .320 is great.

On-base percentage (OBP): Same as batting average, but it includes walks. Quite simply, it is the number of times a batter reaches base divided by total plate appearances. The median is probably around .330, over .350 is pretty good, and over .400 is excellent.

Slugging percentage (SLG): Defined as total bases per at bat. So, a batter who hits a home run every at bat would have a slugging percentage of 4.000. A batter who hits a triple every at bat would have a slugging percentage of 3.000. A batter with one home run and 3 outs made would have a slugging percentage of 1.000. It is an indicator of how powerful a hitter a player is. The average is probably in the high .300s, and the best hitters can have slugging percentages up into the .600s.

On-base plus slugging percentage (OPS): It is just what you would expect. Add together OBP and SLG, and you get OPS. This is a newer statistic, which research shows is a pretty good indicator of a batter's true value.

Runs Batted In (RBI): Anytime a hitter does something which causes a run to score during his at-bat, he is credited with an RBI. You can be awarded an RBI even if you make an out, but not if a run scores during a double play.

Sacrifice Fly (SF): This is when there is a runner on third base, who scores after a fly ball is caught for an out. This is is excluded from the batter's batting average, to reward him for the run scoring despite making an out.

Error (E): This is when a fielder screws up an easy play in the field.

Unearned runs: This is when a run scores directly because of an error. This specification is made so that the pitcher's stats are not penalized because of poor defensive play.

Earned Runs (ER): A pitcher's stat, showing the number of runs that were scored while he was in the game. Obviously, unearned runs are excluded.

Earned Run Average (ERA): The number of earned runs a pitcher allows per 9 innings pitched. An ERA of 4.00 is about average, below 3.50 is good, below 3.00 is very good, and below 2.00 is spectacular.

Hit by pitch (HBP): Just what it sounds like. If the pitch hits the batter, he is awarded first base. This does not count toward batting average, but does count toward on-base percentage.

Save (SV): If a pitcher enters the game with his team winning by three runs or less, and he finishes the game without allowing the other team to tie the game, then he is credited with a save.

Walks and hits per inning pitched (WHIP): Just what it sounds like. Add up all walks and hits a pitcher allows, and divide by inning pitched. Below 1.25 is good.