Learn how to Play Baseball
Why did we modify Baseball?
Many children starting out in the game of Softball or Baseball first play Baseball. Usually played with nine players per side, children who first start out in the game often do not have the strength to hit the ball into the outfield. This results in many children playing, in a team of nine players, to stand around waiting for their turn to field in a position where they will have minimal contact with the ball. When batting, with a team of nine players, if three players get out straight away, it can take a long time before a child has it’s turn at bat.
LEARN TO PLAY Baseball
BOREDOM EQUALS NO FUN
What these modified rules will provide:
- Much greater game involvement.
- Every player bats every innings.
- Fielders positions rotate every inning – more contact with the ball and kids will experience all positions.
- Participant’s develop in an better way – social, mental and physical development.
- Emphasis on FUN rather than winning and losing.
- Game duration is restricted to six innings or one hour
- Modified safety conscious equipment for beginners.
practical resources
basic physical competence
Fundamentals are the focus
after-school activites
The Pitcher
The Pitcher in a Baseball team doesn’t have to throw the ball to the batter, The Pitcher will make most of the outs. This is because most of the balls are hit to The Pitcher’s fielding area. The Pitcher needs to be on his toes every minute of the game. It helps if a good fielder on your team fields in this position.
The Catcher
The Catcher in a baseball game wears all sorts of strange stuff to protect him from the balls thrown by the pitcher and by balls “fouled off” by batters. Because Baseball is played a little differently to baseball, The Catcher in a Baseball game doesn’t need all the protection. The Catcher’s job in Baseball is to place the ball on the Tee, catch the ball and to tag out runners trying to score runs at home base.
The First Baseman
Most of the outs made in a game of Baseball are made by fielders picking up and throwing hit balls to first base before the batter can run to it. It helps if your First Baseman is tall so (s)he can stretch. To make an out, The First Baseman must touch the base with her/his foot, while (s)he holds the ball, before the batter touches the base. The First Baseman also has to field any balls hit in her/her direction.
The Second Baseman
Instead of standing on second base, The Second Baseman fields up the baseline – about a third of the way to first base. It is the job of the second baseman to field balls hit between the pitcher and the first baseman. Second baseman can also feature in what are called “double plays”. A double play occurs when a runner, forced to run to second base, is put out and the ball is relayed, by the second baseman or the shortstop, to first base before the batter running to first can reach it.
Third Baseman
The Third Baseman usually has the strongest throwing arm in a Slåball team. Apart from the pitcher, The Third Baseman stands closest to the batter, so the balls hit to this area are usually traveling the fastest. The Third Baseman also has the furthest distance to throw to first base, so your Third Baseman should be quick and strong.
The Shortstop
Standing between second base and third base, The Shortstop needs to be very fast to pick up ground balls hit to that area. Also, because the shortstop fields so far from first base, he needs a strong throwing arm. The Shortstop and the second baseman work together to make outs at second base and to make “double plays”. When the second baseman fields a ball, The Shortstop “covers” second base.
The Batter
The Batter tries to hit the ball past or over the fielders. When the batter hits the ball, (s)he runs as fast as (s)he can to first base. (S)he has to get to first base before the fielders can pick up the ball and throw it to first base. Each batter who advances around all the bases in turn and back to home scores a run for the batting team.
Batting
The purpose of The Batter is to try to hit the ball to advance the runners on base or to get on base yourself. The easiest way to remember what to do is to use a three count. Start by placing your feet in the right position. Then it is 1,2,3. 1. Place you bat over your shoulder. 2. Step forward. 3. Swing the bat at the ball The last thing you do is run as fast as you can to 1st base.
The Runner
RUNNING After you hit the ball you become a base runner. That means you have to try to run around all the bases in turn.Sometimes, the runners can choose not to run, but other times they are forced to run by other runners coming up behind them. Remember, you can not have two people on one base! You run the bases until you make it back to home and score a run for your team.
The Bases
When you run to First Base, there is no need to stop. This is because you always have to run ?at out to First Base. When you run to Second Base, you have to stop and keep touching the base – otherwise you might be tagged out. The same applies to Third Base, you have to keep touching it so that you won’t be tagged out. When you run from Third Base to Home, run ?at out again.
Out
You’re OUT when… • you hit the ball and start running to first base and the fielding side gets the ball to first before you get there. • you hit the ball into the air and one of the fielding side catches the ball before it hits the ground. • you’re forced to run from the base you’re on to the next one and the fielding side gets the ball to that base before you. • you’re tagged with the ball while you’re a runner and you’re not touching the base.
