Intro:
Before you begin
Step 1:
Understand the basic objective
Step 2:
Watch the pitcher and batter
Step 3:
Watch for a hit
Step 4:
Watch for the fielding team's response
Step 5:
Watch the runners on base
Step 6:
Watch for special situations
Step 7:
Become familiar with measures and specifications

2torial #0542: Learn2 Understand Baseball (Continued) Become familiar with measures and specification Here's an unusual thing about baseball fields: they all have slightly different sizes and shapes. The distance between the bases is always the same, as well as the distance from the pitcher to the batter, but the outfield dimensions can be very different. This lends character to each ballpark, and home team players, who practice on their field for weeks, gain the advantage of "knowing the angles." The distance between each bases, and home plate is 90 feet.   A baseball weighs between five and five-and-a-half ounces. It is made of yarn that has been wound around a cork center, then covered with horsehide or cowhide.   There is an umpire at each base as well as behind home plate. The umpire behind home plate has final authority.   When batting, a player is required to wear a protective plastic helmet. Protective clothing is also worn by the catcher and the home plate umpire.   Games may be delayed or canceled due to weather conditions. The manager of the home team will decide if the game can begin, while the umpires will decide if a game can be continued.   The pitcher may not add any foreign substance, such as petroleum jelly (or even saliva) to the baseball. The batter may not alter the bat in a significant manner. For instance, a section of the bat may not be hollowed out, then filled with cork in order to lighten the end of it. A runner may not interfere with a fielder's access to the ball, or allow a batted ball to hit him. Currently, in Major League Baseball, there are twenty-eight teams in two leagues: the National league and the American league. Each league consists of three divisions, the East, the West and the Central. The teams with the best records in each division, along with one wild card team (one team from each league with the next best record), are selected for the playoffs. These are a series of games that determine the National and American League winners, also called the Pennant. The two teams from the outcome of the playoffs will compete in the World Series, the final, deciding event in a year of baseball. -end- Learn More! or All steps at once (printable version)