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PE SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES BASEBALL

INSTRUCTIONS

This Learning Packet has two parts: (1) text to read and (2) questions to answer.

The text describes a particular sport or physical activity,

and relates its history, rules, playing techniques,
scoring and popularity.

The Response Forms (questions and puzzles) check

your understanding and appreciation of the sport or
physical activity.

INTRODUCTION

Baseball is probably the one sport which is most clearly identified with “being
American.” Former President Herbert Hoover once stated that baseball is the greatest
of all team sports. For the past 150 years, baseball has become so intertwined in
all aspects of American daily life that the baseball strike of 1994 seemed almost
unthinkable. Who could imagine summer without hot dogs and soft drinks at the ball
park or a warm summer evening spent cheering a favorite team to victory?

HISTORY OF THE GAME

Baseball, however “American” it may seem to us

today, did not originate in America. It probably began in
England with a game called “rounders.” The term
“baseball” dates from 1744, when a book on sports described
and illustrated a batter holding a bat with a catcher in position
behind the batter and a pitcher ready to throw a ball. This
English book was reprinted in America around 1762.

In 1845, an American amateur baseball player named Alexander Cartwright, along

with other early baseball players, wrote the rules of the game. Many of these rules
are still in effect today.

Baseball came to be dominated by professional players some time around 1869,

when the first professional team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, was organized. Later,

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PE SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES BASEBALL

many regional leagues were started, then dissolved. At this point in history, baseball
was not a very lucrative business, and few teams were able to make money. In
the late 1880s, the National League attempted to limit the salary that players could
accept to a maximum of $2,000.

During the early period of league formation,

rules for transferring players from one league
to another were created. There were also strict
rules for recruiting minor league players for the
major leagues. At present, all major league teams
maintain minor league teams called “farm clubs”
where players are trained and may be transferred
to a major league.

In 1903, the first World Series was held. It was held

every year since until the baseball strike of 1994.
Today, baseball, despite the impact of the strike,
continues to be a highly-organized and lucrative sport. The salaries of baseball
players are amongst the highest of all athletes who play team sports.

HOW THE GAME IS PLAYED

THE RULES OF THE GAME

In baseball, two teams of nine players

compete with one another on a baseball
“diamond” which in reality is a square field.
The teams are comprised of a pitcher,
catcher, a first, second and third baseman, a
shortstop, and left, center and right fielders.

A catcher squats behind the batter and

signals the pitcher as to what type of ball to
throw. Each game is made up of nine innings. If the home team is ahead (that is,
if it has scored more runs) at the end of the middle of the ninth inning, the home
team wins.

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PE SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES BASEBALL

The baseball field has four bases which are spaced ninety feet apart from each
other. The batter’s box, the area where the batter stands, is located 60 feet and six
inches from the pitcher’s mound. The two foul lines run the length of the field and
define the playing area.

The batter’s objective is to get a hit. Once the ball is hit, the batter (now called the
“runner”) must get to first base before the ball is caught by the first baseman. Once
the ball is caught, the runner is tagged “out” or the batter is out if the first baseman
touches first base before the runner touches it. If the batter can get to first base
safely, it is called a “single.”

A “double” occurs if the batter can run to second base, and a triple occurs when a
batter makes it to third base. A home run means that the batter runs around all the
bases and reaches home plate ahead of the ball. The batter can also hit a home
run by hitting the ball over a wall or fence in the outfield.

The defensive team in the field tries to keep the offensive team’s batters from scoring.
One way of getting a batter out is to pitch three strikes. A strike occurs when the
batter swings and misses or doesn’t try to hit a ball that is pitched within the strike
zone. If a batter already has two strikes and hits a ball into foul territory, the foul
does not count as a strike. A foul ball counts as a strike under all other conditions.

If a pitcher throws a ball that does not cross home plate between the batter’s armpits
and knees (the strike zone), the pitch is “a ball.” When a pitcher throws four balls to
any one batter, the batter is able to go to first base without having to hit the ball—
technically called “a walk.”

Once the ball is hit and is in the air, the players in the field attempt to catch the ball
before it hits the ground. If a fly or line ball is caught, the batter is automatically out.
A ground ball, when caught, is thrown to a base in order to get the runner out.

Baseball players can also slide into a base to

keep from being tagged out. Sliding is more
difficult than it appears to be and requires
practice to be done properly. The body falls
to the ground in a controlled manner by a fall
backward on the outer surface of the knee
and lower leg, or just by diving head first.
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PE SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES BASEBALL

All games have at least one umpire to call balls and strikes. Major league games
have four umpires, one at each base.

THE PITCHER

The pitcher is considered the most important defensive

player on a team. This position is the most physically
demanding spot on the team as well as the position with
the most control over the game. A pitcher needs excellent
control over the ball in order to throw the ball where he or
she aims it. Pitchers have been known to throw the ball 100
miles per hour.

Various styles of throwing the ball may be used to achieve

different results. For example, a curve ball swerves from
a straight line to the left or right, depending on which arm
the pitcher is using. A fast ball is just that—a ball thrown
extremely fast. A “slider” is a cross between a fast ball and
a curve ball and seems to “slide” away from the batter.

OUTFIELDERS AND INFIELDERS

Long or high balls, or ground balls that go past the infield,

are caught by one of the three outfielders. Outfielders must have superior throwing
ability. The center fielder is generally the fastest of the three outfielders since he or
she has the most area to cover. Center fielders must also have a “strong arm,” as
they must throw balls to third base and home plate. Some of the most famous names
in baseball were outfielders—among them Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Joe DiMaggio, Ted
Williams and Mickey Mantle.

The job of the infielder, the player who is on the bases and the shortstop, is to try
to prevent balls from going into the outfield. These players also attempt to throw or
tag out the batter once a ball has been hit. In particular, the shortstop has the most
demanding position and must have a strong throwing arm and quick reactions.

The history of baseball is full of famous infielders, including Lou Gehrig, Rogers
Hornsby, Jackie Robinson and Ernie Banks.

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PE SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES BASEBALL

THE CATCHER

The position of catcher is considered to be very

important. The catcher is the “brains” or strategy
planner for the game. His or her judgment in choosing
pitches can determine the best defensive play for the
rest of the team.

The catcher is thought by many to be the hardest-

working member of a team. He or she has to know
all the weaknesses and strengths of the pitchers. He
or she covers third or first base when the third or first
baseman must move to field a hit ball, and wears more equipment than any other
player.

DESIGNATED HITTER

A tenth starting player in the American League, minor

leagues and many amateur leagues is a player used
only to bat. This player has no defensive role and bats
instead of the weakest hitter (usually the pitcher).

KEEPING SCORE IN BASEBALL

The box score (records of both individual players and

games) is kept by an official scorer. Also, newspapers
and baseball clubs keep detailed records of the
players’ batting averages, fielding averages and
pitching records.

Batting averages are calculated by taking the number of hits and dividing that figure
by the number of times a player is at bat. If a batter “walks,” it is not counted as a
time at bat. Nor is it counted as a hit. Fielding averages are figured by taking the
total put-outs (getting a player “out”) and assists (helping to get a player “out”) and
dividing them by the total number of put-outs, assists and errors.

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PE SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES BASEBALL

An error occurs when a player gets to first base because the defensive player did
not catch the ball or, having caught the ball, threw it poorly to another player.

Pitching records indicate the number of games

won and lost and earned-run averages (total
earned runs allowed, divided by the number
of innings pitched, then multiplied by nine).

PLAYING TECHNIQUES

THROWS IN BASEBALL

Developing a good throwing technique is

an important skill in baseball. Throwing is the most complicated of all the baseball
skills to execute effectively. It calls for speed, accuracy and long hours of practice.
Good throwing takes into account the following steps:

The first step in learning a correct throwing technique is a proper grip.

The player should grip the ball by placing the index and middle fingers
over one of the four long seams on the baseball. The inner side of the
thumb is placed on the underside of the ball in line with the middle finger.
The ball and the point where the index finger and thumb meet should
form a “V” shape. The ball is held loosely, almost in the fingertips.

Learn the proper stance for throwing. As the player prepares to throw
the ball, his or her elbow should be up, shoulders level, and wrist cocked
with fingers behind and on top of the ball. As the ball is released from a
point over and in front of the player’s head, the player’s fingers should
be behind the ball.

Remember that a player’s arm does not work alone in throwing the ball.
The player’s entire body needs to be propelled forward in order to build
arm speed for the throw. The player needs to take an exaggeratedly
long step forward toward the target. The length of that step, however,
depends on how far the ball has to travel. For example, an outfielder’s
step will be long because he has to throw the ball up to 300 feet away.

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PE SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES BASEBALL

Follow-through is important! The technique of throwing does not end

when the ball is released from the hand. If there is no follow-through,
the ball will lose a great deal of speed and accuracy. The throwing arm
should continue to move downward across the front of the body and
behind the left hip if the right arm is being used. Both feet should be
parallel to the target and pointing toward it.

Players need to take special care of their arms because of the intense workout the
arm gets in a game of baseball. Warm-up exercises should always be done before
practice or a game. Many players ruin their chances at a pro or amateur career in
baseball by abusing their arms. Watch that arm—it is your most valuable asset in
the years of baseball playing ahead of you!

EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING

Baseball is played with very simple equipment—a ball, a bat and a glove. Bats
are no more than 2-3/4 inches in diameter and 42 inches long. They can be of any
weight. The baseball itself weighs about five ounces and is covered with two strips
of white horsehide stitched together with a small inner core of cork or rubber.

All players on a team use gloves. A standard baseball glove may not exceed 12
inches in length and 8 inches in width. The first baseman and catcher usually wear
gloves that are thicker than those of the other players.

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PE SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES BASEBALL NOTES

BASEBALL NOTES

Baseball is played competitively at several levels. Many high school teams operate
under the jurisdiction of their school district and state athletic association. At the
college and university level the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
sponsors men teams and championship tournaments. Baseball and was an Olympic
sport. In 2005 the International Olympic Committee voted to remove this competition,
which was effective in 2012.

Baseball is a professional sport, where many players earn large salaries. Major
League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization. MLB teams play in
the American League (AL) and National League (NL), which operated as separate
entities until 2000 when the leagues merged into a single organization led by the
Commissioner of Baseball. MLB also oversees minor league baseball leagues.

Currently, the MLB is composed of 30 teams: 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada.
Teams in the MLB play 162 games each season. Five teams in each league advance
to a four-round postseason tournament that culminates in the World Series, a best
of 7 championship series between two league champions that dates back to 1903.
Top professional players today earn millions of dollars a year.

Most cities and towns offer amateur programs. Some are sponsored by such
organizations as YMCA’s or local park districts. Many players start their baseball
careers on Little League teams. Little League Baseball celebrated its 75 anniversary
in 2014.

For more information visit these web sites to stay informed about baseball:

sports.espn.go.com/mlb/index

www.majorleaguebaseball.com

www.baseball.com

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STUDENT RESPONSE PACKET BASEBALL

NAME DATE

WHAT TO DO

The following questions will help you to have a greater appreciation and understanding
of baseball. Write your answers in the spaces below the questions. If there is not
enough room, write on the backs of these sheets. Be neat, spell correctly, and write
in complete sentences.

1. Baseball is often identified as the great American sport, yet it didn’t begin in
America. How and where did this game originate?

2. What are some of the physical benefits to be gained from playing baseball?

3. What are “farm teams” and how are they used?

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STUDENT RESPONSE PACKET BASEBALL

4. How many people make up a typical baseball team and what positions do
they play?

5. What is a “single”? What is a “double”?

6. When does a “ball” occur?

7. How is a good slide into a base performed?

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STUDENT RESPONSE PACKET BASEBALL

8. Why is the pitcher considered the most important defensive player on the
team?

9. Name at least four factors involved in performing a good throw.

10. What would be the effects of a baseball strike?

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CROSSWORD BASEBALL

Name: _________________________________________ Date: ________________

Across Down
2. Another word for a minor league team 1. They are the players who try to prevent the ball
5. This player takes a position in the batter’s from going into the outfield
box 2. The number of bases
11. If the ball is not pitched in the strike zone 3. Most consider him to be the most important
and the batter does not swing, it is called defensive player
this 4. The player who gives signals to the pitcher to tell
12. Baseball was “born” in this country him what type of pitch to throw
14. They are the players who are responsible 6. A method of touching the base by being on the
for catching long fly balls ground
16. The most hyped pitching debut the game 7. What baseball used to be called in England
has ever seen 8. A cross between a fast ball and a curve ball
19. The distance in feet between the bases 9. Nickname for a baseball field
20. A hit that gets the batter to first base safely 10. Wrote the rules of baseball in 1845
21. This president said baseball was the 11. The batter stands in it. It is 60 feet 6 inches from
greatest of all team sports the pitcher
13. A hit that gets the batter to second base safely
15. The first pro baseball team was the Cincinnati
Red _____
17. When the batter swings at a pitch and misses it
18. Weight in ounces of a baseball

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WORD SEARCH BASEBALL

Name: _________________________________________ Date: ________________

Find these words in the above puzzle. Circle the words.

Baseball Base Strike

American Pitcher Walk

Hoover Fielder Catcher

England Inning Slide

Rounders RBI Mantle

Bat Single Ruth

Phillies Batter Players

Cartwright Double Runner

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PE SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES BASEBALL COMMON CORE

COMMON CORE QUESTIONS / ACTIVITIES (AT TEACHER’S DIRECTION)

1. Why do you think baseball is no longer an Olympic game? If you have

access to a computer you can research the answer. If you don’t, use some
good intuitive reasoning to support your assumptions.

2. What rules might you change to speed up the game of baseball? Be

creative but realistic.

3. What is the total running distance if a player hits a home run?

4. In your opinion what is the most important defensive position in baseball.

Provide several arguments to support your answer.

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