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Step 1
Play nine innings in professional baseball; generally seven in youth baseball. The visitor always is first up to bat, which is called the "top" of the inning. The team with the most runs at the end of the game wins. In the event of a tie, extra innings are played and the home team always gets a final turn at bat.
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Step 2
Start with nine players on the field if you are the home team. There are three in the outfield: right field, center field and left field. Three players cover first, second and third bases. The shortstop stands between second and third base. The catcher squats behind the home plate and the pitcher stands on the pitcher mound.
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Step 3
Stand in the "batter box" if you are the first one up to bat on the visiting team. The umpire, who stands behind the catcher, calls a "strike" if the ball is thrown in the "strike zone" and the batter doesn't swing. The umpire calls a "ball" if the ball is thrown outside the strike zone. If the batter swings and misses the ball, the umpire calls "strike." Three strikes and the batter is "out" and the next batter takes a turn.
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Step 4
Sprint to first base if a batter hits a "fair ball" that lands inbounds. If he is tagged out or the first baseman catches the ball and touches the base with his foot before the runner reaches the base, the batter is "out." If the batter makes it first base, he is "safe" and the next batter takes a turn.
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Step 5
Walk to first base if you are a batter and the umpire calls four "balls."
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Step 6
Score a home run if you are able to make it around the bases and across home plate without being tagged out. If a ball is hit over the fence, it is considered an automatic home run and the batter just jogs around the bases.
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Step 7
Get tagged out after hitting a "fair ball" and you are "out." It's the other team's turn to bat once a team reaches three outs.
