Sport
Baseball
- players
- 2–18
- minutes
- 150
- years
- 6+
In the box
A bat, a ball, bases
Official rules (federation's site)
Box details
- Origin
- Traditional game, with no specific designer or publisher
- Mechanics
- DexterityTeam-BasedRace
Where to buy it
Near you
In a shop
Within 50 km.
The basics
Two teams of nine take turns batting and fielding: the aim is to round the four bases more often than the opponents. The pitcher throws the ball towards home plate and the batter tries to put it in play, three strikes putting them out and four balls sending them to first base; three outs end the half-inning. After nine innings, the team with more runs wins, and in a tie as many extra innings as needed are played.
The rules, step by step
Setup
2 teams of 9, Bases 27.43 m apart, Mound at 18.44 m
- Two teams of nine players, a diamond-shaped field with bases 27.43 metres apart.
- One team bats, the other fields. The roles swap at every half-inning.
- The pitcher stands on a mound 18.44 metres from home plate.
How to play
3 strikes: out, 4 balls: first base, 3 outs: switch
- The pitcher throws the ball towards home plate; the batter tries to hit it into play.
- Three strikes put the batter out; four balls outside the zone give them first base.
- Three outs end the half-inning, and the teams swap roles.
- A runner is out if tagged with the ball while off a base, or if the base is forced before they reach it.
Scoring
1 run per runner home, Home run up to 4
- One run per runner who returns to home plate after touching the other three bases in order.
- A home run hit out of the park brings in the batter and every runner already on base: up to four runs at once.
- Runs are recorded half-inning by half-inning: that is how the official scoresheet is kept.
End of the game
9 innings, No draws
- A game has nine innings. The home team does not play its last half-inning if it is already ahead.
- Tied after nine innings: as many extra innings are played as needed. There are no draws.
House rules and pitfalls
Softball, its variant, is played over seven innings with underarm pitching and a larger ball.
- Softball, its variant, is played over seven innings with underarm pitching and a larger ball.
- An inning has no time limit: that is why a game can last two hours or six.
Going further
Frequently asked questions · In the same family
Frequently asked questions
What is the aim?
Score runs by going round the four bases after hitting the pitched ball, while the opposing team tries to put you out.
How are you put out?
On three strikes, a ball caught on the fly, or by being tagged before reaching a base. Three outs end the batting team's turn.
What is a home run?
A hit that sends the ball out of the field of play: the batter and every runner on base score. A grand slam, with the bases loaded, scores four runs.
What is the difference between a strike and a ball?
A strike: a swing and a miss, or a pitch through the zone. A ball: a pitch outside the zone that is not swung at. Four balls give a free base.
How many innings does a game last?
Nine innings, each team batting in turn. In case of a tie, extra innings are played until there is a winner.