Baseball

Baseball is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams, each consisting of nine players. It is played on a diamond-shaped field, with four bases arranged in a square. The objective of the game is for one team, the offense, to score runs by hitting a ball thrown by the other team’s pitcher and then running around the bases, ultimately returning to home plate. The defensive team aims to get batters out through various means, such as catching batted balls in the air, throwing the ball to a base before the runner arrives, or striking them out with pitched balls.

The game is typically played over nine innings, with each team taking turns to bat and field. Runs are scored when a player successfully rounds all four bases and reaches home plate. Baseball is known for its distinct rules, terminology, and statistical analysis. It has a significant cultural impact, particularly in the United States, where it is often referred to as “America’s pastime.” The game’s history dates back to the 19th century, and it has evolved into a professional sport with leagues, including Major League Baseball (MLB), featuring teams from the United States and Canada.