Baseball has been called the great American pastime. It will be easier to enjoy the game if you understand the rules. If you're confused by balls and strikes, read on! This page outlines how to understand baseball rules.

• Whether you're the parent of an aspiring Little Leaguer or attending a Major League Baseball game with your friends, you'll have more fun if you understand what's going on.

• Although the game may look mysterious, it's actual fairly simple.

1. Nine players on each team alternate turns at bat, with the objective of scoring runs.
2. A pitcher from one team throws a ball at a batter from the other.
   1. The pitcher tries to throw the ball in a such a way that the batter can't hit it.
   2. The batter tries to hit the ball such that the opposing team can't catch it.
3. When the ball is hit, the batter (and anyone already on base) tries to run around as many bases as he can, without being put out by a member of the other team.
4. Every time a batter or base runner makes it all the way around the bases before being put out, his team scores a run.
5. At the end of nine innings (each team having had nine turns at bat), the team with the most runs wins.

• Although it may seem odd to get a scorebook before you fully understand the game, keeping a scorebook can actually help you understand what's going on.

1. The scorebook contains a small picture of the baseball field in a space for each "at bat."
2. To keep score you merely check off what happens for each batter.
3. Note how the batter got on base, and note how each out happened.
4. You can use the scorekeeping system in the book, or devise your own.
5. While you may not keep a professional book right away, the act of keeping a book will help you pay attention to the game, and help you to understand it quicker.

• Although the basics are fairly simple, there are a number of special circumstances, which may confuse even the most experienced observer of the game. Having access to a rule book will help you sort these situations out.

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