Basic Hitting Rules
01
Strike Zone
The strike zone is the area over home plate between the batter’s armpits and knees when they’re in their natural stance.
02
Strikes and Balls
A strike is a pitch that the batter swings at and misses, or a pitch that the batter doesn’t swing at but the umpire calls within the strike zone. A ball is a pitch that the batter doesn’t swing at and the umpire calls outside the strike zone.
03
Fair and Foul Balls
A hit ball is considered fair if it lands in the field of play or on the foul lines. If it lands outside these lines, it’s considered a foul ball. A foul ball hit with two strikes is a strikeout, while a foul ball with fewer than two strikes is just a strike unless caught for an out.
04
Hit-by-Pitch
If a pitched ball hits the batter, the batter is awarded first base.
05
Home Run
A hit that allows the batter to reach all bases, including home plate, in one play.
06
Designated Hitter (DH)
In some leagues, the designated hitter (DH) is used, allowing a player to bat for the pitcher without the pitcher taking a turn at bat.
Basic Pitching Rules
01
Pitcher’s Mound
The pitcher must start each pitch with both feet on the pitcher’s rubber, a raised slab in the center of the pitcher’s mound.
02
Pitching Distances
The distance from the pitcher’s rubber to home plate varies by age group and league. In Major League Baseball, the distance is 60 feet, 6 inches.
03
Balks
A balk is an illegal act by the pitcher meant to deceive the baserunners. This includes any motion that simulates a pitch without delivering the ball or not coming to a complete stop in the set position.
04
No Quick Pitches
The pitcher must allow the batter a reasonable amount of time to get set in the batter’s box before delivering a pitch.
05
Substance on Ball
Pitchers are not allowed to apply foreign substances to the ball, such as pine tar, to gain an unfair advantage.
06
Pitching Limitations
Leagues may have rules regarding the number of pitches a pitcher can throw in a game or a week to prevent overuse and reduce the risk of injury.
Basic Fielding Rules
01
Nine Defensive Players
A team has nine players on the field when playing defense. This includes a pitcher, catcher, four infielders (first baseman, second baseman, shortstop, third baseman), and three outfielders (left fielder, center fielder, right fielder).
02
Force Plays
A force play occurs when a baserunner is forced to advance to the next base because the batter becomes a baserunner. For example, when a ground ball is hit, the fielder can throw to second base to force out a runner.
03
Tag Plays
A tag play occurs when a fielder tags a baserunner with the ball. This can happen on a pickoff attempt or when the fielder has control of the ball and tags the runner before the runner reaches the base.
04
Ground Ball Plays
Fielders can get outs by fielding ground balls and throwing to first base or other bases as needed.
05
Catching a Fly Ball
A fielder must catch a fly ball on the fly (before it touches the ground) for it to be an out.
06
No Interference
Fielders cannot interfere with a batter’s swing or a baserunner’s attempt to advance.