Yes, it’s one of the most popular games in the United States. But that doesn’t mean everyone gets how it works. Today, we’re talking baseball basics.

Brushing up on your baseball basics is going to give you a decent understanding to both enjoy the game when you’re watching it (maybe even on a date or a vacation) but it’s also going to give you a bit of an edge if you’re flirting with betting on the sport too. Speaking of, we’ve got this bet365 bonus code for new players up our sleeve if you need it.

Baseball basics FAQs

How many players are on a baseball team?

When you’re watching a baseball game, you’ll see two teams on the field and each team has nine players a-piece. 

How many innings in a baseball game?

Now this is one of the baseball basics that can trip people up. A baseball game is split up into nine innings. However, each inning is divided into two halves.

What happens during each inning?

So, during the first half of the inning (known as the top half), Team A comes to bat while a pitcher from Team B throws the ball to them. Team A’s goal is to hit the ball as far as possible from Team B’s players so they can run around the bases. If that Team A player can get around all the bases and back to the home plate, they score a run. However, if Team B catches the ball or manages to throw it to first base, the Team A batter is out. Plus, if the Team A batter doesn’t hit the ball after three decent pitches, they’re also out.

Then in the second half (known as the bottom), the cycle repeats but in reverse. Team B bats and scores runs while Team A tries to stop them. Everyone gets a shot.

Each team’s turn at batting is over when they get three outs.

How do you win a game of baseball?

It’s simple really. The team that scores the most runs during the game become the champions.

Where is baseball played?

Now this is one of those baseball basics that we’re sure will conjure up a mental image, no matter how much you reckon you don’t know about the game. The iconic stage of a baseball game is a diamond-shaped playing field. In each corner, there’s a plate. A home plate, first base, second base and third base. Then in the middle, you’ve got the infield. And at the heart of that is the pitcher’s mound. Meanwhile, the outfield is the area beyond the infield that’s bordered by the first and third baselines.

How long does a game last?

Now this is where baseball gets a little quirky. No one is watching their clock when it comes to baseball. There’s no time limit at all. It’s simply over when it’s over. 

Are statistics important in baseball?

Statistics are important in every sport. But my God do baseball fans love stats. There’s a huge focus on them, which is why we have to include them in this list of baseball basics. 

Some of the most common offensive statistics are batting average (AVG), games played (G), at bats (AB), runs (R), hits (H), doubles (2b), triples (3b), home runs (HR), runs batted in (RBI), stolen bases (SB), base on balls (BB), strikeouts (SO). Meanwhile, here are some of the most common pitching stats: games pitched (GP), Innings pitched (IP), wins (W), losses (L), Win/Loss percentage (PCT), Saves (S), hits allowed (H), base on balls (BB), strikeouts (SO), earned run average (ERA).