The smell of the outfield. The thwack of the bat hitting the ball. And the sensation of sliding into home.  

This is all a part of the game of baseball.

Today is our “Let’s Play” series we’re going to explore the exciting world of Baseball.

Catch This…it’s too fun to miss!

The History of Baseball

No one really knows when baseball began. Way back in the 1700’s in England a sport called “rounders,” was very similar to today’s modern baseball. However, in this game, you had to be hit by the ball to be out. Ouch!

In 1845, a group of New York City men founded the New York Knickerbocker Baseball Club.

One of them, a man named, Alexander Joy Cartwright, would make a new set of rules that would form the basis for modern baseball we know today. This included calling for a diamond-shaped infield, foul lines, and the three-strike rule.

He also put a stop to the dangerous practice of throwing balls at the players to tag them out.

Catch This…a typical baseball game can last up to three hours. The longest baseball game ever played lasted 8 hours 6 minutes. It had 25 innings!

What You Need to Play Baseball

To play baseball, you will need these things;

• Baseball glove
• Baseball
• Baseball bat
• Baseball hat
• A team of players
• A baseball diamond
• Baseball cleats (optional)

Catch This…during a swing, a baseball bat can travel at speeds from 70 to 90 miles-per-hour!

Play Ball!

Modern baseball now involves a “pitcher” that throws a baseball to the “hitter” holding a bat.  When the batter swings and misses it is called a “strike.” You are only allowed three swings and misses before you are out.  

If you hit the ball, you then run to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and home bases. How far you get depends on how far you have hit the ball. Running all the bases with one hit of the ball is called a “home run.”

To stop the runner “catchers” in the play area wear special over-sized gloves or mitts. Once the ball is caught, it is thrown back to other catchers standing on the bases. If the catcher touches the runner with the ball, that player is out.

Catch This…Baseball is played in a team with nine players on the field at one time. Little League Baseball is played for six innings while Major League is played for nine innings.

What do you think about the game of baseball? Could you be a great player one day? Even if you never become a pro, baseball is a fun way to spend time with your friends and family.

Be sure to check out more fun sports in our sports section.