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Baseball & Softball

In baseball, two teams play against each other on a field called a "diamond." The field is divided into an infield and an outfield. In the infield, three bases are arranged in a square. Beyond the infield is the outfield. To begin the game, the team on defense takes positions on the field. A pitcher is responsible for starting each play by throwing the ball to a catcher at the home plate.

The players on the offensive team take turns batting. When a ball is hit, the batter attempts to run to each base before the infielders can throw the ball to the baseman or tag the batter with the ball in hand. If the runner beats the throw from the infielders, the play is "safe." Each batter is given three swings, or strikes, to make a hit.

When a runner rounds all three bases and touches home plate, a run is scored. The teams play once on offense and once on defense during each inning by switching sides after three outs. The team with the most runs after nine innings wins the game. Softball is much like the sport of baseball, but the two main differences in softball are the larger size of the ball and the underhand pitch. Although softball tends to predominantly be a women's sport, there are many co-ed and men’s softball leagues.


ALASKA KID TIP:
"The most important thing to remember while throwing is to snap your wrist down and focus on your target."
- Cal M.

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My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging.
- Hank Aaron
 
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