How to play baseball

The basics

• Teams take turns batting and fielding. The batting team scores a run when a player circles all four bases.
• The batter gets three strikes; four balls (bad pitches) and they walk to first base.
• A team bats until it makes three outs. A strikeout, a caught fly ball or a tag or force at a base are outs.
• A game has nine innings; casual games often play five or seven, or to a time limit.
• Short-handed pickup teams often close part of the field ("right field is out").

What you need

• A glove (mitt) for fielding.
• A bat and balls; helmets for batting.
• Cleats or trainers, and sunglasses for fly balls.

How a pickup game works

Pickup baseball is often a "sandlot" game: players split into two teams and play with however many show up, closing parts of the field. A common short version is "500" or "work-ups", where one batter hits and fielders earn points or rotate to bat.

Pickup etiquette

• Shout "heads up" when a ball goes toward someone.
• Let the umpire, or the catcher in pickup, call balls and strikes.
• Throw the ball back to the pitcher between pitches; keep the game moving.
• Never swing a bat near people waiting to hit.

Your first games

• Practise catching with a partner before a game; it is the skill everyone needs.
• Join a slow-pitch softball league: it is the easiest way for adults to start.
• Wear a helmet when batting, even in casual games.

Questions