Americas Past Time

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Americas Past Time

• By Brooke-Rose A. Tharp
• Geared Towards Sixth Grade

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Baseball

• Sport has been in existence for over 100 years.
• A team sport consisting of 9 players on a team.
• Consists of 30 teams (29-US 1-Canada).

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Rules

• Baseball is played between two teams of nine
  players each.
• Objective is to score runs by hitting a thrown
  ball with a bat and touching bases arranged in a
  diamond.
• One team (batting) take turns hitting against the
  pitcher on the other team (fielding) tries to
  stop them from scoring runs by getting hitters
  out.
• A player on the batting team can stop at any of
  the bases and hope to score on a teammate's hit.
• The teams switch between batting and fielding
  after fielding team gets three outs.
• One turn at bat for each team constitutes an
  inning nine innings make up a professional game.
  
• The team with the most runs at the end of the
  game wins.

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Pitcher (P)

• Primary role is to pitch the ball.
• Be able to field his position of ground balls,
  bunts, and covering bases.
• Good throwing speed is helpful, but not as
  important as accuracy.
• Ready to catch the ball when it comes into the
  infield to stop the play.

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Catcher (C)

• Wears protective equipment mask, special helmet,
  shin guards, chest protector.
• Uses special glove designed as a padded target to
  catch or block pitches.
• Must hustle to balls that get past him, and be
  ready to get any slow rollers or bunts in front
  of home plate and throw to any base quickly.

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First Base (1B)

• Job consists of fielding balls hit in his
  direction
• Also is primarily to catch throws from the other
  infielders in order to retire the batter.

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Second Base (2B)

• An important defensive role to field balls hit
  toward him and, if necessary, start a double
  play.
• If ball is hit to SS, the 2B will "turn" a double
  play by stepping on 2B, fielding the throw from
  SS, and throw to 1B, to retire both runners.
• Also back-up grounders to the 1B, and cover first
  in the event that a slow roller pulls the 1B away
  from first base.
• Backup the SS on throws from the catcher on a
  steal.
• Balls hit into the outfield on the SS side of
  second base, he must cover second base.
• Balls hit on the 2B side of second base, he must
  go out for the "relay" throw from the OF.

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Third Base (3B)

• Third base is known as "The Hot Corner.
• Field grounders and throw strongly to any base.
• Also cover fly balls in fair and foul territory.

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Shortstop (SS)

• Like the 2B, must field ground balls and start or
  turn double plays.
• Needs strong arm as the throw to first base is
  farther from the shortstop side.
• Cover throws from the catcher to second base when
  a runner is stealing.
• Also, when a ball is hit into the outfield on the
  SS side of second base, he is to go for the
  "relay" throw from the OF.
• If the ball is hit to the second baseman side of
  second base, he then must cover second base.

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Left Field (LF)

• Requires good fielding and catching skills.
• Receive more balls than right fielder because
  right-handed hitters "pull" the ball into left
  field.
• Backs up 3B on pick-off attempts from the catcher
  or pitcher and bunts.
• If runner is stealing 3B the left fielder must
  back up throw from catcher.
• Back up 3B when a ball is thrown from right field.

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Center Field (CF)

• Outfielder with the best combination of speed and
  throwing distance.
• Covers more grass than any other player.
• Will catch the most fly balls.
• Has greatest responsibility among the outfielders
  to prevent collisions when converging on a fly
  ball.
• Plays when he doesnt make the catch, must
  position behind the corner outfielder for if the
  ball gets past them.

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Right Field (RF)

• Backs up first base on all throws from the
  catcher and pitcher to 1B.
• Backs up 2B on any ball thrown from the left side
  of the field.
• Backs up first base when the first baseman is in
  a run down between 3rd base and home.

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Basis Swing
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Batting Gloves and Bat

• Pick out a bat that isn't too heavy.
• Beginners, the lighter the bat, the better.
• To make bat lighter "choke up," meaning to move
  your hands up the bat 1-2.
• A batting glove is optional, most wear them to
  get a better grip.

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Getting in the Box

• Pitchers that throw hard, stand in the rear of
  box, giving another split second to see the ball.
  
• Pitcher with curveballs, hitter might move up so
  he can catch the pitch before it breaks.
• Closer to the plate allows hitting an outside
  pitch easier.
• Beware of inside and outside pitches.
• Find a happy medium.

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Getting a Good Grip

• When gripping the bat your hands should touch.
• If right handed- left hand on the bottom and
  right hand on the top (Opposite for left).
• Roughly six inches between the bat and your
  chest.
• Hold the bat up, and not on your shoulder.
• Spread your legs roughly shoulder-width apart.
• Don't stand straight up just bend your knees a
  little so you don't feel stiff. It puts you in a
  ready position.

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Eyes on the Ball

• Put both eyes on the pitcher.
• Try to pick up the ball as early as possible for
  better success.
• Never take your eyes off it.
• Keep your weight on your back foot, but be ready
  to have that shift immediately.

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Stride and Connect

• Right-handed- take your left leg and pick it up
  slightly as the pitch is released. (opposite for
  left).
• As the pitch comes toward you, stride forward to
  build momentum.
• By now, you should have figured out whether the
  pitch is good enough to hit.
• If ball, continue your stride but watch the ball
  go by.
• If strike, turn hips through the ball and swing
  the bat. Back foot pivot, but not leave the
  ground.
• Want to hit the ball just before it goes over the
  plate. Any later and you'll likely foul it off.

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Following Through

• Momentum of the bat, whether contact or not, will
  carry you through the follow-through.
• No follow through means less power because your
  swing will be slowing down before you make
  contact.
• The follow-through is important.
• If you made contact, get ready to drop the bat
  and run to first base.

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Ready to Run

• Hitters just let go of the bat they don't throw
  the bat.
• There's a lot more to hitting- opposite field,
  generating more power, hitting behind the runner,
  etc.
• But these are the basics.