Rules

The pitcher aims to throw strikes. A strike is a pitch that passes through the strike zone, or does not pass through the strike zone, but is swung at and missed by the batter.

*For the ball to be in the strike zone it must travel above home plate, and between the batters knee and shoulders.

A batter who successfully reaches one of the bases is called a base-runner. Base-runners must remain on base until the ball leaves the pitchers hand. Runners must run in a direct line from base to base. If they move more than three feet either side of the direct line to avoid being tagged, they are out.

Do not leave your base when the batter hits a ball that can be caught, this is called a fly ball. If you do and the ball is then caught you must run back to your base. If the ball is returned before you make it back to the base you are out. Only run on a fly ball if once you've seen it won't be caught.

You are allowed to over-run first base, but if you over-run second or third you bay be tagged out. Over-running is running past the base rather than stopping on it. The runner must still touch on the plate to be tagged out.

Sliding into a base allows you to reach the base without fear of over-running it. Sliding also helps you to avoid being tagged before reaching the base. Begin your slide two to three yards before the base. Gently fall onto you bent leg, lean back, and slide onto the base.

A double play occurs when two players from the batting team are put out in the one sequence of play. ( A sequence of play is the play in progress after one pitch and before the next.

A strike is when a good pitch is thrown but the batter doesn't hit the ball or if the ball is thrown into the strike zone and the batter swings and misses the thrown ball. The ball is only allowed three strikes. After three strikes the batter is out. Once the ball is hit into fair territory the batter must run to first base. If the ball is caught before it bounces, the batter is out. The catch can be in fair or foul territory. The batter is also out, when a ball hit into fair territory is fielded and reaches the base before the runner does.

The umpire controls the play. As well as understanding the rules you should also be aware of the umpires hand signals. There are hand signals for a strike, a foul, and when a runner is safe or out. There is no hand signal for a ball. The umpire will call out "ball," followed by the number of the ball. For example, one, two, three, or four.