rules to play baseball

In most instances, the runner wont be able to complete an entire circuit of the bases on a single play, so he or she must stop at a base and wait for the next batter to step up to the plate. However, at any time, the runner may attempt to steal the next base by running to it before the pitcher realizes whats happening. Since the pitcher is usually the best thrower on the team, stealing a base is very dangerous the pitcher can turn and throw the ball to a baseman instead of the batter, allowing an easy tag out.
The basemen can also pass the ball to one another, trapping the runner between two bases until he or she makes a desperate (and usually futile) attempt to slide into one of them. Runners cant leave the line between the two bases, either theres no running off into the outfield and then circling back around, for example.
Runners are safe while on bases, but they arent required to stay on a base. Most runners prepare for a possible steal by scooting out a little ways from their current base, but not far enough that they cant scramble back to it if they have to.

Only one runner is allowed on each base at any time this is where the force out rule comes from. However, since there are three bases, up to four runners can be on the field at a time. When all three bases have a runner, the offensive team is said to have the bases loaded, meaning the next fair hit or walk will necessarily result in either a run or an out. Having the bases loaded isnt necessarily the most ideal situation for a team, but its very exciting for the audience.

Sometimes, the batter hits the ball so hard or so well that he or she is able to run around the entire diamond before getting an out, scoring a run on the first hit. This is called a home run. Most home runs are the result of the ball being hit past the fence at the back of the outfield, at which point its completely out of play and all the fielding team can do is watch.
A home run hit while the bases are loaded is called a grand slam. Obviously, a grand slam is worth four points (one for each runner), and can turn the tide of a difficult game or virtually guarantee victory. Grand slams are exceptionally rare, but very exciting.

Home runs are fun, but not common enough to be relied upon as a means of winning the game. Instead, focus on learning how far to run after a normal hit. By knowing when to stop and wait, you can stay in play longer and raise your chances of scoring a point. There are three other runs from home plate aside from the home run
A single is a run from home plate to first base. Its perhaps the most common type of run, due to its safety and flexibility.
A double is a run from home plate to second base. Most of the time, a double is a smart choice for medium distance hits, or hits that leave the fielding team distracted by another player on second or third base.
A triple is a run from home plate to third base. Triples are uncommon, but they often lead to runs soon after.

Good contact hitters (batters who have good control over the balls direction once hit) can work with a runner on first to make a hole between first and second base, which is normally guarded by the second baseman. The runner on first attempts to steal second right as the pitch is thrown, forcing the second baseman to follow. The batter then drives the ball through the gap into the outfield and takes a single or double.

There are two types of sacrifice play, wherein a batter accepts an out for the sake of moving a runner on second or third base closer to home so he or she can score a run. A sacrifice bunt is a special type of play where the batter uses the bat to bump the ball from the air without sending it forward. The ball lands just in front of home plate, making it a simple matter for the catcher to retrieve the ball and ground out the batter; however, in the time it takes to do this, another runner may be able to advance to third base or even home plate.
The very fastest runners can sometimes survive a bunt and make it to first without getting grounded out.
A sacrifice fly is a pop fly (a high, arcing ball thats very easy to catch) that gives a third baseman time to run home before the runner gets a flyout.

When the field is set up just right, the fielders may be able to pull off a double play or even a triple play, in which they get two or three outs on a single play. Triple plays are rare, but possible if enough force outs are available. Double plays are more common, and often involve forcing out a runner on first, and then grounding out the batter before he or she reaches first.
Since three outs causes the teams to switch, a triple play will end the current half of the inning immediately.

This rule is only invoked by umpires, but its important to understand. When a batter hits a pop fly that will land in the infield, the umpire can decide its too easy to catch and invoke the infield fly rule. This causes the batter to be out automatically, and prevents the fielding team from getting an easy triple play by catching the ball and forcing outs at the other bases. In short, its a rule governing fairness of play, designed to keep things interesting for both sides. Knowing about it now will help when you hear it called later.

As opposed to basketball and many other team sports, baseball doesnt have a clock or timer. Instead, the game is played until all the innings are completed. Because this can make games drag on for a long time, teams are allowed to have alternates, particularly extra pitchers (called relief pitchers) to keep play fresh from beginning to end. At the end of the last inning, whichever team scored the most runs wins.If the teams are tied at the end of the last inning, an extra inning is played. It is very unusual for a baseball game to end in a tie; typically, extra innings are added until one team manages to scrape out an advantage.

The defense wears baseball softball gloves, a leather contraption that fits on the hand, to catch the ball. A baseball is a white ball roughly three inches in diameter with red stitching. A softball is roughly twice as big, sometimes yellow (but no softer).The offense uses a bat, which is made of wood in the professional ranks, and likely made of aluminum or a metal composite at amateur levels. Almost all softball bats are aluminum or metal.