Baseball pits two teams of nine players who take turns batting and playing defense. The batting team tries to hit the ball and run the four bases to score a run; the defense tries to record three outs to switch roles. The team with more runs after nine innings wins. That’s the whole game in three sentences — here’s the detail.
The goal: score runs
A run scores when a player circles all four bases back to home plate. To advance, a team has to bat: hit the ball the pitcher throws and put it in play. There’s no clock — the game moves by outs, not minutes.
The two halves of each inning
Each of the nine innings has two halves. In the top the visiting team bats; in the bottom, the home team. When the defense records three outs, that half ends — so a full inning produces six outs, three per side.
Preguntas frecuentes
How many players are on the field?
Nine per team on defense: pitcher, catcher, four infielders and three outfielders.
How long does a game last?
About two and a half hours; with no ties, it can stretch into extra innings.
