2torial #0542: Learn2 Understand Baseball (Continued) Watch for special situations It's hoped that you now have a grasp on how runs are scored, and outs are recorded, so you're almost home. To review: when three outs are made, the team that was in the field comes in to become batters. The team that was at bat now goes out to their specified positions in the field. Those positions are detailed in the following chart. When runners are on base, the opportunity arises for more than one out to be recorded on a ball that is hit by the batter. A double play, for instance, often happens when a runner is on first base and the ball is hit by the batter towards the shortstop: The first out: The shortstop will throw the ball to the second baseman, who will be standing on second base, to make a force play (see Step 4). The second out: The second baseman will then throw to the first baseman. The first baseman will stretch to catch the ball, while keeping a foot on the base. This is an attempt to record the out on the batter, who is trying desperately to reach first base ahead of the throw. The steal: You already know that the runners may try to advance to the next base when they think they'll be successful. Well, sometimes, they'll try to advance to the next base as the pitcher is throwing the ball to the batter. This is known as trying to steal the base, and is most often attempted by the runner on first base. The sacrifice play: Sometimes, a runner on third base will feel that they can advance to home plate when the ball has been hit, and caught by one of the outfielders (see diagram). If the runner reaches home plate before the outfielder's throw does, a run is scored and a sacrifice fly is recorded. In other words, the batter sacrifices his own opportunity for a hit, in order to provide an opportunity for the runner to score. Many more situations than these few will arise in a game of baseball. But at this point you hopefully have an idea why everyone's standing around, and then running around. Step 7