Bóng chày

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Bóng chày là một môn thể thao đồng đội; trong đó một cầu thủ của đội này (cầu thủ giao bóng) sẽ nỗ lực ném banh (kích thước vừa nắm ở tay) thật mạnh về phía cầu thủ (vận động viên bóng chày) của đội kia, và người này sẽ cố gắng để đánh trái bóng chày bằng một cây gậy hình trụ, láng bóng và được vuốt thon gọi là gậy đánh bóng chày.

Một đội chỉ ghi điểm khi đánh xong, chạy vượt qua 4 điểm mốc gọi là căn cứ đặt ở 4 góc của hình vuông. Mỗi căn cứ cách nhau 90 bộ.

Bóng chày đôi khi còn gọi là bóng cứng để phân biệt nó với các môn thể thao tương tự như là bóng mềm. Đây còn gọi là Trò tiêu khiển quốc gia Mỹ (America's National Pastime), do nó có nguồn gốc từ Mỹ.

Bóng chày rất phổ biến ở Mỹ và Đông Á. Ở Nhật, Puerto Rico, Cộng hòa Đô-mi-ni-ca, Cuba, Panama, Venezuela, Nam Hàn, và Đài Loan, nó là một trong những môn thể thao phổ biến nhất. Ở Mỹ (nơi khai sinh của bóng chày), bóng chày không chỉ là môn thể thao chính - nó là trò giải trí của quốc gia và Major League Baseball đã được trao một biểu tượng độc quyền bởi Quốc hội Mỹ; tổng số người tham dự các trận ở Major League gần bằng với tổng số các môn thể thao chuyên nghiệp khác của Mỹ hợp lại. Về mặt khán giả truyền hình, tuy nhiên, bóng chày lại vượt qua về mặt phổ biến (theo tỉ lệ bình chọn qua truyền hình) so với bóng bầu dục. Mặc dù ba trong số bốn môn thể thao phổ biến ở Bắc Mỹ là các trò chơi về bóng (bóng chày, bóng rổ và bóng bầu dục), sự phổ biến của bóng chày lớn đến nỗi mà tự ballgame ở Mỹ thường thường, nhưng không phải luôn luôn, dùng để ám chỉ môn bóng chày, và ballpark dùng để chỉ sân bóng chày. Ngoại trừ ở phía nam, nơi mà bóng đá là phổ biến và ballgame thường dùng để nói đến môn bóng này.

Mục lục 1 Giới thiệu 2 Cách chơi 2.1 Cấu trúc chính 2.2 Đội trên sân 2.2.1 Khẩu đội hình 2.2.2 Khu vực gần cửa thành 2.2.3 Khu vực xa cửa thành 2.2.4 Chiến lược phòng thủ 2.2.4.1 Đón bóng 2.2.4.2 Chiến lược trên sân 2.3 Đội đang đánh banh 2.3.1 Người đánh và người chạy 2.3.2 Đánh banh 2.3.3 Chạy tới căn cứ 2.3.4 Chiến lược đánh banh và chạy 2.4 Lượt chơi và xác định người thắng 2.5 Thay người 2.6 Bảng phân công 3 Các tổ chức khác 4 Phong cách đặc trưng của bóng chày 4.1 Yếu tố thời gian 4.2 Các nhân và đồng đội 4.3 Đặc trưng của mỗi sân bóng chày 5 Thống kê 6 Lịch sử 7 Các giải đấu được tổ chức 8 Xem thêm 8.1 Văn hóa 8.2 Thống kê và danh sách 9 Chú thích 10 Tham khảo 11 Liên kết ngoài

[sửa] Giới thiệu

Bóng chày là một trong số những môn thể thao lâu đời và phổ biến nhất ở Mỹ. Luôn có một nền văn hóa đặc trưng đi kèm theo nó, bao gồm bản thân trò chơi, sân bóng, các cầu thủ, và các cổ động viên.

Mặc dù nguồn gốc và nhiều cải tiến của các trò chơi đánh banh khác nhau là không rõ ràng, nhưng bóng chày là sáng tạo riêng của người Mỹ. Tuy nhiên, nhiều người cho rằng nó có nguồn gốc từ trò chơi rounders, và cũng chịu ảnh hưởng bởi các qui luật của môn cricket. Trở lại những năm 1870, các tờ báo Mỹ xem bóng chày là Trò Tiêu Khiển Quốc Gia hay Trò Chơi Quốc Gia. Một sự thật của môn bóng chày là hầu hết các trận đấu đều diễn ra vào các tháng ấm, khá thoải mái trong năm, nên nhiều người gọi các cầu thủ bóng chày là các Chàng trai của Mùa Hè.

Bóng chày là một sự thu hút bất diệt—tóm tắt tại Đặc trưng riêng biệt của Bóng chày—khác với những môn thể thao Mỹ chính khác. Nhiều người tin rằng bóng chày là sự kết hợp tối đa của kĩ năng, thời gian, thể dục, và chiến lược. Yogi Berra (một huyền thoại bóng chày) từng nói rằng: "Bóng chày có 90% là tinh thần—phần còn lại là thể lực."

Phần sau sẽ miêu tả về luật lệ của trò chơi, nhưng sự thu hút của bóng chày là ở sự tinh tế của nó: tình huống phòng thủ, vị trí ném bóng, thứ tự ném, thống kê, sân chơi, lịch sử, và cá tính của cầu thủ. Với những người hâm mộ cuồng nhiệt, trò chơi—ngay cả nhữn thời điểm diễn ra chậm nhất—vẫn không bao giờ là chán vì những sắc thái này. Vì thế, để hiểu về bóng chày cần nắm rõ luật của nó; cũng như quan sát kĩ những cái tạo nên sự thu hút và tồn tại của bóng chày.

[sửa] Cách chơi

Một phiên bản đơn giản của luật chơi bóng chày có thể tham khảo ở các luật chơi bóng chày đơn giản. Hay có thể xem ở www.mlb.com, là trang chủ chính thức của Major League Baseball tại Mỹ, nơi bạn có thể xem các đoạn phim ngắn về bóng cháy diễn ra vào mùa bóng chày (Tháng Tư-Tháng Mười).

[sửa] Cấu trúc chính

Bóng chày được chơi giữa hai đội, mỗi đội gồm 9 người chơi, dưới sự giám sát của một hay nhiều viên chức, gọi là trọng tài (umpire). Thường có 4 trọng tài trong một trấn đấu của giải "Major League"; có thể tới 6 tùy vào giải và tầm quan trọng của trận đấu. Có 4 cái căn cứ (có thể gọi là chốt). Đánh số theo ngược chiều kim đồng hồ, căn cứ thứ nhất, thứ hai, thứ ba và gọi là nệm (đôi khi còn gọi là túi) có dạng hình vuông 15 in (38 cm) được đưa lên cao một khoảng ngắn so với mặt đất; cùng với dĩa nhà (home plate), là căn cứ thứ tư, nó tạo thành một hình vuông có cạnh 90 ft (27.4 m) gọi là kim cương. Căn cứ nhà (plate) là phiến đá mỏng bằng cao su hình ngũ giác gọi là nhà. Sân chơi được chia làm 2 phần chính:

• Khu vực nội thành, bao gồm cả 4 chốt (3 chốt và 1 nhà), được cách với bên ngoài bởi 4 đường vôi trắng và bao quanh là khu vực cỏ xanh (xem hình). Tuy nhiên xét kỹ về mặt kỹ thuật thì khu vực nội thành chỉ bao gồm phần đất nền bên cạnh đường vôi, 4 chốt và 4 đường vôi trắng.
• Khu vực ngoại thành, là khu vực có trồng cỏ bao quanh khu vực nội thành, giữa 4 chốt, và ngoài cùng được bao bọc bởi 1 bờ tường hoặc hàng rào chắn. Đường vôi nối chốt nhà và chốt 1, chốt 3 và nhà, kéo dài ra đến khi chạm bờ rào, được xem là đường ngăn cách khu vực phạm lỗi. Khu vực nằm trên (cỏ mọc dày hơn) là khu vực an toàn, khu vực phía dưới là khu vực phạm lỗi (đường vôi được tính là nằm trong khu vực an toàn)

Trận đấu gồm 9 lượt trong đó mỗi đội thay phiên nhau để đánh banh và cố gắng ghi điểm (gọi là run), trong khi đội kia ném banh và bảo vệ sân. Trong bóng chày, đội phòng thủ luôn có banh -- một điều khác với các môn thể thao khác. Vai trò mỗi đội sẽ được thay đổi khi có 3 cầu thủ của đội đánh banh bị loại. Đội thắng là đội có nhiều run nhất sau 9 hiệp. Trong trường hợp hòa nhau, một số hiệp bổ sung cho tới khi một đội comes out trước ở cuối lượt đấu (nếu đội khách chơ trước) hay trong một lượt đấu thiếu (nếu đội nhà dẫn đầu trong nửa đầu lượt đấu bổ sung, trận đấu kết thúc tại đó). Tại đầu trận đấu, tất cả 9 cầu thủ của đội nhà đều ra sân (để phòng thủ), trong khi các cầu thủ đội khách lần lượt đánh bóng.

Cuộc đối đầu quan trọng nhất trong bóng chày là giữa "Cầu thủ Ném bóng" (pitcher) ở đội đang phòng thủ, và cầu thủ đập bóng ở phía đội tấn công. Cầu thủ ném bóng sẽ ném bóng về hướng chốt nhà, Ở nơi đó có sẵn một cầu thủ bắt bóng (Catcher) chờ để bắt gọn quả bóng này. Đứng ở sau lưng cầu thủ bắt bóng là một trọng tài, trọng tài này có thể quyết định một cú ném bóng có phạm luật hay không, cầu thủ bắt bóng có dính hay không. Còn cầu thủ đánh bóng ở phía đội tấn công sẽ đứng ở vị trí tay phải hoặc trái của Catcher cố gắng đánh trúng quả bóng ném đi từ Pitcher. Vị trí chỗ Pitcher đứng ném bóng gọi là "Ụ ném bóng" ở chính giữa có thanh đệm cao su (61x14cm), Pitcher chỉ được phép bước lùi hoặc tiến 1 bước trong cả quá trình ném bóng. Nhiệm vụ của Catcher (Người bắt bóng) không chỉ phải bắt bóng bị đập hụt hoặc không đập mà còn phải ra hiệu cho Pitcher bằng cách dùng ám hiệu ở tay hướng ném bóng và cách ném bóng. Pitcher sẽ đồng ý bằng cách gật đầu, bằng không anh ta có thể lắc đầu để bác bỏ yêu cầu của catcher. Nhiệm vụ của catcher sẽ nặng nề hơn khi tình hình diễn biến trên sân phức tạp và phải phối hợp ăn ý với Pitcher.

Cứ mỗi nửa lượt đấu (hiệp đấu), mục đích của đội phòng ngự là loại cho bằng được 3 cầu thủ bất kỳ của đội tấn công mới thôi. Một cầu thủ bị "loại" sẽ phải rời sân và chờ lượt đánh bóng kế tiếp của mình. Có rất nhiều cách để loại cầu thủ đập bóng hoặc cầu thủ chiếm chốt; phổ biến nhất là cầu thủ đội phòng ngự cố gắng bắt quả bóng ngay khi nó còn đang bay và chưa chạm đất (sau khi bị đập), hoặc cầu thủ giữ chốt nhận được bóng và chạm vào người cầu thủ đang chạy chiếm chốt, hoặc cầu thủ giao bóng làm cho cầu thủ đập bóng hụt 3 lần. Sau khi số cầu thủ bị loại của đội tấn công lên tới 3 người thì nửa lượt đấu đó sẽ chấm dứt, 2 đội đổi phiên cho nhau; Không có giới hạn bao nhiêu cầu thủ được quay vòng đập bóng ở mỗi hiệp đấu, chỉ đến khi bị loại 3 cầu thủ mới thôi. Nếu ở một hiệp đấu, đội tấn công đã sử dụng hết tất cả cầu thủ trong danh sách thứ tự đập bóng của mình thì hiệp đấu đó được gọi là "batting around" (Đập bóng vòng quanh). Nó có thể báo hiệu cho một hiệp đấu có nhiều điểm được ghi. Một hiệp đấu kết thúc khi 2 đội đã thực hiện xong phần tấn công của mình.

The goal of the team at bat is to score more runs than the opposition; a player may do so only by batting, then becoming a base runner, touching all the bases in order (via one or more plays), and finally touching home plate. To that end, the goal of each batter is to enable baserunners to score or to become a baserunner himself. The batter attempts to hit the ball into fair territory—between the baselines—in such a way that the defending players cannot get them or the baserunners out. In general, the pitcher attempts to prevent this by pitching the ball in such a way that the batter cannot hit it cleanly or, ideally, at all.

A baserunner who successfully touches home plate after touching all previous bases in order scores a run. In an enclosed field, a fair ball hit over the fence on the fly is normally an automatic home run, which entitles the batter and all runners to touch all the bases and score. A home run hit with all bases occupied ('bases loaded') is called a grand slam.

[sửa] Đội trên sân

Tiêu bản:Seealso

The squad in the field is the defensive team; they attempt to prevent the baserunners from scoring. There are nine defensive positions, however, only two of the positions have a mandatory location (pitcher and catcher), the locations of the other seven fielders is not specified by the rules, except that at the moment the pitch is delivered they must be positioned in fair territory and not in the space between the pitcher and the catcher. These fielders often shift their positioning in response to specific batters or game situations, and they may exchange positions with one another at any time. The nine positions are: pitcher, catcher, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, shortstop, left fielder, center fielder, and right fielder. Scorekeepers label each position with a number starting with the pitcher (1), catcher (2), first baseman (3), second baseman (4), third baseman (5), shortstop (6), left fielder (7), center fielder (8), right fielder (9). This convention was established by Henry Chadwick. The reason the shortstop seems out of order has to do with the way fielders positioned themselves in the early years of the game.

[sửa] Khẩu đội hình

The battery is composed of the pitcher, who stands on the rubber of the mound, and the catcher, who squats behind home plate. These are the two fielders who always deal directly with the batter on every pitch, hence the term "battery", coined by Henry Chadwick and later reinforced by the implied comparison to artillery fire.

The pitcher's main role is to pitch the ball toward home plate with the goal of getting the batter out. Pitchers also play defense by fielding batted balls, covering bases (for a potential tag out or force out on an approaching runner), or backing up throws. The catcher's main role is to receive the pitch if the batter does not hit it. Together with the pitcher and coaches, the catcher plots game strategy by suggesting different pitches and by shifting the starting positions of the other fielders. Catchers are also responsible for defense in the area near home plate.

[sửa] Khu vực gần cửa thành

The four infielders are the first baseman, second baseman, shortstop, and third baseman. Originally the first, second and third basemen played very near their respective bases, and the shortstop generally played "in" (hence the term), covering the area between second, third, and the pitchers box, or wherever the game situation required. As the game evolved, the fielding positions changed to the now-familiar "umbrella", with the first and third baseman generally positioned a short distance toward second base from their bases, the second baseman to the right side of second base, and the shortstop playing to the left of second base, as seen from the batter's perspective, filling in the gaps.

The first baseman's job consists largely of making force plays at first base on ground balls hit to the other infielders. When an infielder picks up a ball from the ground hit by the batter, he must throw it to the first baseman before the batter gets to the base for the batter to be out. The first baseman must be able to catch the ball very well. The first baseman also fields balls hit near first base. The first baseman also has to receive throws from the pitcher in order to tag runners out who have reached base safely. The position is less physically challenging than the other positions, but there is still a lot of skill involved. Infielders don't always make good throws to first base, so it is the first baseman's job to field any ball thrown toward him cleanly. Older players who can no longer fulfill the demands of their original positions also often become first basemen. The second baseman covers the area to the right of second base and provides backup for the first baseman in bunt situations. He/She also is a cut-off for the outfield. This is when the outfielder doesn't have to throw the full distance from him/her to the base, but just to the cut-off. The shortstop fills the critical gap between second and third bases—where right-handed batters generally hit ground balls—and also covers second or third base and the near part of left field. This player is also a cut-off for the outfield. This position is the most demanding defensively, so a good shortstop doesn't need to necessarily be a good batter. The third baseman's primary requirement is a strong throwing arm, in order to make the long throw across the infield to the first baseman. Quick reaction time is also important for third basemen, as they tend to see more sharply hit balls than the other infielders.

[sửa] Khu vực xa cửa thành

The three outfielders, left fielder, center fielder, and right fielder, are so named from the catcher's perspective looking out onto the field. The right fielder generally has the strongest arm of all the outfielders due to the need to make throws on runners attempting to take third base. The center fielder has more territory to cover than the corner outfielders, so this player must be quick and agile with a strong arm to throw balls in to the infield; as with the shortstop, teams tend to emphasize defense at this position. Also, the center fielder is considered the outfield leader, and left- and right-fielders often cede to his direction when fielding fly balls. Of all outfielders, the left fielder often has the weakest arm, as they generally do not need to throw the ball as far in order to prevent the advance of any baserunners. The left fielder still requires good fielding and catching skills, and tends to receive more balls than the right fielder due to the fact that right-handed hitters, who are much more common, tend to "pull" the ball into left field. The left fielder also backs up third base on pick-off attempts from the catcher.

[sửa] Chiến lược phòng thủ

[sửa] Đón bóng

Tiêu bản:Ném bóng

Ném bóng khó là phương thức phòng ngự hữu hiệu nhất bên phía đội phòng thủ, nó có thể Loại trực tiếp cầu thủ đánh bóng và ngăn ngừa cầu thủ chạy chiếm chốt. Một trận đấu thực sự có tổng cộng hơn 100 cú ném bóng từ mỗi đội. Tuy nhiên đa số các Pitcher đều không đủ thể lực để cầm cự tới thời điểm đó. Trước kia, một cầu thủ ném bóng có thể bị yêu cầu ném liên tục 4 trận đấu (9 hiệp) trong vòng 1 tuần. Nhưng với y học hiện đại đã chứng minh rằng đó là một sự tra tấn về thể lực, các cầu thủ ném bóng chính hiện nay chỉ được yêu cầu ném từ 6 đến 7 hiệp trong 1 trận đấu (tùy vào phong độ) sau 5 ngày.

Mặc dù pitcher chỉ được phép tiến hoặc lùi một bước trong quá trình ném bóng, nhưng bù lại anh ta cũng có lợi thế nhất định khi có thể thay đổi vị trí ném bóng, tốc độ, đường bóng, cách vung tay, đỗ xoáy khác nhau. Đa số các pitcher đều cố gắng nắm vững từ 2 đến 3 kỹ năng ném bóng khác nhau; nhưng cũng có những Pitcher ném tốt cả 6 cách ném bóng với mức độ khó cao. Cú ném thường thấy nhất là một cú "Bóng Nhanh", bóng đi với tốc độ nhanh nhất có thể và thường đi thẳng; một cú "Xoáy bóng", đường bóng đi hơi cong vì cách kết hợp ngón tay và cổ tay của Pitcher tạo độ xoáy cho bóng; và ngoài ra con có cú ném "Bóng Hơi nhanh" giả mạo cú ném "Bóng nhanh" nhưng tốc độ thấp hơn nhiều để đánh lừa cầu thủ đánh bóng.

Chiến lược ném bóng cổ điển dễ hiểu nhất của Pitcher là sự kết hợp giữa "Bóng nhanh" và "Bóng hơi nhanh". Một cầu thủ ném bóng ở giải chuyên nghiệp có thể ném bóng đạt vận tốc 145 km/h (90 dặm một giờ), thậm chí một số pitcher ném bóng đạt tới vận tốc 161 km/h (100 dặm một giờ). Trong khi đó cú "Bóng hơi nhanh" có vận tốc chỉ là 121 to 137 km/h (75 đến 85 dặm một giờ). Mặc dù cách ném và đường bóng rất giống cú ném "bóng nhanh" nhưng tốc độ lại giảm đáng kể. Điều này có thể đánh lừa Cầu thủ đập bóng vì cầu thủ đập bóng canh thời gian để đánh một cú "Bóng nhanh" nhưng không ngờ lại bóng lại bay chậm hơn nhiều.

Một số pitcher chọn kiểu ném "tàu ngầm", một cách ném rất khó chịu đòi hỏi pitcher phải vung tay hướng từ dưới lên hoặc đưa ngang. Tuy nhiên những cú ném như vậy thường rất khó để có thể đánh trúng được vì hướng đi và tốc độ của bóng rất khó đoán. Mặc dù những cú ném như vậy thường không thể đi nhanh bằng những cú vung tay qua đầu nhưng các pitcher thường ném bóng đi hiểm để làm cầu thủ đập bóng bị mất thăng bằng khi đập bóng. Tuy nhiên vẫn có ngoại lệ Walter Johnson, cầu thủ nổi tiếng với những cú ném bóng nhanh nhất trong lịch sử bóng chày ném bóng bằng cách vung tay ngang (Mặc dù không hoàn toàn là kiểu ném tàu ngầm)

Một trận đấu có thể đòi hỏi nhiều cầu thủ ném bóng, bao gồm Cầu thủ ném bóng chính và một vài Cầu thủ Ném bóng dự bị. Pitcher được thay ra thay vào giống như các cầu thủ khác, và luật không hạn chế có bao nhiêu pitcher được sử dụng mỗi trận đấu; Hạn chế duy nhất chỉ là số thành viên trong danh sách đăng ký. Trong những lúc tình hình không nguy hiểm, các cầu thủ ném bóng dự bị được sử dụng để giảm tải cho cầu thủ ném bóng chính (ngoại trừ các trận đấu về cuối mùa giải cực kỳ quan trọng). Các cầu thủ ném bóng dự bị được sử dụng một khu vực trên sân để làm nóng người trước khi được thay vào. Nếu trận đấu phải bước vào hiệp phụ thì không có lý gì một đội bóng lại sử dụng cầu thủ dự bị. Họa hoằn lắm một đội bóng có thể sử dụng một vị trí khác trên sân để trám vào vị trí ném bóng, ở giải chuyên nghiệp một số cầu thủ ngoài khả năng chuyên môn ở vị trí của mình còn có thể chơi khá ở vị trí ném bóng. Chuyện này khá phổ biến hơn nữa trong quá khứ, khi một đội bóng chỉ sử dụng một cầu thủ ném bóng chính duy nhất, một cầu thủ đa năng sẽ được ném bóng phòng khi Pitcher chính bị chấn thương hoặc ném bóng quá thiếu hiệu quả. Ngày nay trong bóng chày hiện đại, con số 100 được xem như là con số thần kỳ, hiếm Pitcher nào ném liên tục đạt mức đó, trong một trận đấu một đội có thể sử dụng từ 2 cho đến 5 Pitcher. Ở mùa giải 2005 ALCS, Chicago White Sox thắng liên tục 4 trận chỉ sử dụng duy nhất một Pitcher, một sự kiện đáng ghi nhận trong bóng chày hiện đại.

[sửa] Chiến lược trên sân

Since only the pitcher's and catcher's locations are fixed, the other players on the field move around as needed to defend against scoring a run. Many variations of this are possible, as location depends upon the "situation." "Situation" refers to immediate circumstances of play, and includes: the number of outs, the count (balls and strikes) on the batter, the number and speed of runners, the ability of the fielders, the ability of the pitcher, the type of pitch thrown, the inning, home versus visiting team, and others. As the situation dictates, the fielders move to more strategic locations. Common defensive situations include: playing for the bunt, trying to prevent a stolen base (runner advancing to the next base), moving the defensive to a shallow position to throw out a runner at home, playing at "double play depth", moving fielders to locations where hitters are most likely to hit the ball, etc.

[sửa] Đội đang đánh banh

[sửa] Người đánh và người chạy

The ultimate goal of the team at bat is to score runs. To accomplish this feat, the team at bat successively (in an predetermined order called a lineup) sends its nine players to the batter's box (adjacent to home plate) where they become batters. (Each team sets its batting lineup at the beginning of the game. Changes to the lineup are tightly limited by the rules of baseball and must be communicated to the umpires, who have the substitutions announced for the opposing team and fans. See Substitutions below.)

A batter's turn at the plate is called a plate appearance. Batters advance to the bases in a variety of ways: hits, walks, hit-by-pitch, and a few others. When the batter hits a fair ball, he must run to first base, and may continue or stop at any base unless he is put out. A successful hit occurs when the batter reaches a base: reaching only first base is a single; reaching second base, a double; third base, a triple; and hit that allows the batter to touch all bases in order on the same play is a home run, whether or not the ball is hit over the fence. Once a runner is held to a base, he may attempt to advance at any time, but is not required to do so unless the batter or another runner displaces him (called a force play). A batter always drops his bat when running the bases— otherwise, the bat would slow him down and could give rise to a call of fielder to catch it on its descent. A line drive is like a fly ball, but the ball is hit with such force that its trajectory seems level to the ground. A batted ball which is not hit into the air, and which touches the ground within the infield before it can be caught, is called a ground ball. When a ball is hit outside the foul line, it is a foul ball, requiring the batter and all runners to return to their respective bases.

Once the batter and any existing runners have all stopped at a base or been put out, the ball is returned to the pitcher, and the next batter comes to the plate. After the opposing team bats in its own order and three more outs are recorded, the first team's batting order will continue again from where it left off.

When a runner reaches home plate, he scores a run and is no longer a base runner. He must leave the playing area until his spot in the order comes up again. A runner may only circle the bases once per plate appearance and thus can score no more than a single run.

[sửa] Đánh banh

Xem chi tiết: Batting (baseball)

Each plate appearance consists of a series of pitches, in which the pitcher throws the ball towards home plate while a batter is standing in the batter's box. With each pitch, the batter must decide whether or not to swing the bat at the ball in an attempt to hit it. The pitches arrive quickly, so the decision to swing must be made in less than a tenth of a second, based on whether or not the ball is hittable and in the strike zone, a region defined by the area directly above home plate and between the hollow beneath the batter's knee and the midpoint between the top of the shoulders and the top of the uniform pants. In addition to swinging at the ball, a batter who wishes to put the ball in play may hold his bat over home plate and attempt to tap a pitch lightly; this is called a bunt.

On any pitch, if the batter swings at the ball and misses, he is charged with a strike. If the batter does not swing, the home plate umpire judges whether or not the ball passed through the strike zone. If the ball, or any part of it, passed through the zone, it is ruled a strike; otherwise, it is called a ball. The number of balls and strikes thrown to the current batter is known as the count; the count is always given balls first, then strikes (such as 3-2 or "three and two", which would be 3 balls and 2 strikes).

If the batter swings and makes contact with the ball, but does not put it in play in fair territory—a foul ball—he is charged with an additional strike, except when there are already two strikes. Thus, a foul ball with two strikes leaves the count unchanged. (However, a noted exception to this rule is that a ball bunted foul with two strikes always counts as a strike.) If a pitch is batted foul or fair and a member of the defensive team is able to catch it, before the ball strikes the ground, the batter is declared out. In the event that a bat contacts the ball, but the ball continues sharply and directly to the catcher's mitt and is caught by the catcher, it is a foul tip, which is same as an ordinary strike.

When three strikes occur on a batter, it is a strikeout and the batter is automatically out unless the pitch is not caught by the catcher (a violation of the third strike rule^[1]). If the catcher drops the third strike the batter is allowed to attempt to advance to first base.(The catcher can try to get him out by tagging him with the ball or throwing the ball to first base and forcing him out.)

On the fourth ball the batter becomes a runner, and is entitled to advance to first base without risk of being put out, called a base on balls or a walk (abbreviated BB). If a pitch touches the batter, the umpire declares a hit by pitch (abbreviated HBP) and the batter is awarded first base, unless the umpire determines that the ball was in the strike zone when it hit the batter, or that the batter did not attempt to avoid being hit. In practice, neither exception is ever called unless the batter obviously tries to get hit by the pitch; even standing still in the box will virtually always be overlooked, and the batter awarded first.

[sửa] Chạy tới căn cứ

Xem chi tiết: Baserunning

Once a batter becomes a runner, he is said to be "on" that base until he attempts to advance to the next base, until he is put out, or until the half-inning ends. Runners on second or third base are considered to be in scoring position since ordinary hits, even singles, will often score them.

If a runner approaches a base and that base is already occupied by another runner, the latter has to leave the base. This way one to four players of the offensive team can be on the infield: the batter, and three runners on each base. Consequently a home run hit can count up to four runs (see grand slam).

A runner legally touching a base is "safe"—he may not be put out. Runners may attempt to advance from base to base at any time (except when time is called by the umpire), but must advance on any fair ball that touches the ground if he is forced to by a later runner claiming that base. When a ball is hit in the air, a fly ball, and caught by the defending team, runners must return and touch the base they occupied at the time of the pitch—called tagging up—after the ball is caught. Once they do this, they may attempt to advance at their own risk.

Baserunners may attempt to advance, or steal a base, while the pitcher is throwing a pitch. The pitcher, in lieu of delivering the pitch, may try to prevent this by throwing the ball to one of the infielders in order to tag the runner; if successful, it is called a pick-off. If the runner attempts to steal the next base but is tagged out before reaching it safely, he is caught stealing. An illegal attempt by the pitcher to throw a runner out, among other pitching violations, is called a balk, allowing the runners to advance one base without risk of being put out.

[sửa] Chiến lược đánh banh và chạy

The goal of each batter is to become a base runner himself (usually by a safe hit or a base on balls), or to help move other base runners along. Batters attempt to "read" pitchers through pre-game preparation by studying the tendencies of pitchers and by talking to other batters that previously faced the pitcher. While batting, batters attempt to "read" pitches by looking for clues that the pitcher or catcher reveal. These clues (also referred to as "tipping pitches") include movements of the pitchers arms, shoulders, body, etc, and an attempt to "read" the spin of a ball early in the pitch to anticipate its trajectory. Batters also remain keenly aware of the count during their at bat. When the count is in the batter's favor (like 2-0), the batter is more likely to take a risky swing, but when the count is in the pitcher's favor (like 0-2), the batter will take a more conservative swing.

In general, base running is a tactical part of the game requiring good judgment by runners (and their coaches) to assess the risk in attempting to advance. During tag plays, a good slide can affect the outcome of the play. Managers will often simultaneously send a runner and require the batter to swing (a hit-and-run play) in an attempt to advance runners.

During the course of play many offensive and defensive players run close to each other, and during tag plays, the defensive player must touch the offensive player. Although baseball is considered a non-contact sport; a runner may be allowed to make potentially dangerous contact with a fielder as part of an attempt to reach a base, unless that fielder is fielding a batted ball. (Noted exceptions to the dangerous contact rule are found throughout amateur competitions, including youth leagues, high school, and college baseball.) A good slide is often more advantageous than such contact, and "malicious" contact by runners is typically prohibited as offensive interference. The most common occurrence of contact of this nature is at home plate between the runner and the catcher, as the catcher is well padded and locked into position on or near the plate, and the runner will often try to knock the ball out of the catchers hand. Since the catcher is seen (symbolically and literally) as the last line of defense, it seems natural that the more physical play happens here.

[sửa] Lượt chơi và xác định người thắng

An inning consists of each team having one turn in the field and one turn to hit, with the visiting team batting before the home team. A standard game lasts nine innings, although some leagues (such as high school baseball) use seven-inning games. The team with the most runs at the end of the game wins. If the home team is ahead after eight-and-a-half innings have been played, it is declared the winner, and the last half-inning is not played. If the home team is trailing or tied in the last inning and they score to take the lead, the game ends as soon as the winning run touches home plate; however, if the last batter hits a home run to win the game, he and any runners on base are all permitted to score.

If both teams have scored the same number of runs at the end of a regular-length game, a tie is avoided by the addition of extra innings. As many innings as necessary are played until one team has the lead at the end of an inning. Thus, the home team always has a chance to respond if the visiting team scores in the top half of the inning; this gives the home team a small tactical advantage. In theory, a baseball game could go on forever; in practice, however, they eventually end. In addition to that rule, a game might theoretically end if both the home and away team were to run out of players to substitute (See Substitutions). In Major League Baseball the longest game played was a 26-inning affair between the Brooklyn Robins and Boston Braves on May 1, 1920. The game ended in a 1-1 tie called on account of darkness.

In Major League Baseball, games end with tie scores only because conditions have made it impossible to continue play. A tie game does not count as an official game in the standings unless it is finished later or replayed; however, individual player statistics from tie games are counted. Inclement weather may also shorten games, but at least five innings must be played for the game to be considered official; four-and-a-half innings are enough if the home team is ahead. Previously, curfews and the absence of adequate lighting caused more ties and shortened games. Also, with more modern playing surfaces better able to handle light rains, the process for calling or shortening a game due to weather has changed; it is more common than in the past to delay a game as much as 2 hours before a cancellation; also, a delay usually does not occur anymore until the rain is moderate-heavy and/or there is standing water on some part of the playing field.

In Japanese baseball, if the score remains tied after nine innings, up to three extra innings may be played before the game is called a tie. Some youth or amateur leagues will end a game early if one team is ahead by ten or more runs, a practice known as the "mercy rule" or "slaughter rule". Rarely, a game can also be won or lost by forfeit.

There is a short break between each half-inning during which the new defensive team takes the field and the pitcher warms up. Traditionally, the break between the top half and the bottom half of the seventh inning is known as the seventh-inning stretch. During the "stretch," fans often sing the chorus of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," although since September 11, 2001, "God Bless America" has become common.

[sửa] Thay người

Each team is allowed to substitute for any player at any time the ball is dead. A batter who replaces another batter is referred to as a pinch hitter; similarly, a pinch runner may be used as a replacement for a baserunner. Any replacement is a permanent substitution; the replaced player may not return to the game.

It is common for a pitcher to pitch for several innings and then be removed in favor of a relief pitcher. Because pitching is a specialized skill, most pitchers are relatively poor hitters; it is common to substitute for a pitcher when he is due to bat. This pinch hitter is typically then replaced by a relief pitcher when the team returns to the field on defense, but more complicated substitutions are possible, most notably the double switch.

Many amateur leagues allow a starting player who was removed to return to the game in the same position in the batting order under a re-entry rule. Youth leagues often allow free and open substitution to encourage player participation.

Most leagues, notably Major League Baseball's American League, allow a designated hitter, a player whose sole purpose is to hit when it would normally be the pitcher's turn. This is not considered a substitution but rather a position, albeit a purely offensive one. A designated hitter does not play in the field on defense and may remain in the game regardless of changes in pitchers.

[sửa] Bảng phân công

Xem chi tiết: Major League Baseball transactions

During the course of a game, each baseball team has players that are an active part of the game, called "in the game," and players that are not, called "on the bench." The players on the bench are needed in case of injuries and to make strategic pitching, fielding, and batting substitutions. To keep the game fair, each team is limited to a fixed number of players. That number is dictated by the rules of the game. In the major leagues, a team may have a maximum of 25 men on a roster from Opening Day until August 31. After that, teams may call up additional personnel, up to a maximum of 40 players on the active roster.

[sửa] Các tổ chức khác

Each team is run by a manager, whose primary responsibility during the game is to assign players to fielding positions, determine the lineup, deciding how to substitute players, and, most importantly, choosing the course of strategy throughout the game. Managers are also assisted by coaches in helping players to develop their skills. When a team is at-bat, they will position a coach or manager in each coach's box referred to as the first and third base coaches. These coaches must help the players decide whether they should try to run to the next base; also, the coaches will signal plays to the batter and runners. Baseball is unique in that the manager and coaches all wear numbered uniforms similar to those of the players.

Any baseball game involves one or more umpires, who make rulings on the outcome of each play. At a minimum, one umpire will stand behind the catcher, to have a good view of the strike zone, and call each pitch a ball or a strike. Additional umpires may be stationed near the bases, thus making it easier to see plays in the field. In Major League Baseball, four umpires are used for each game, one near each base. In the all-star game and playoffs, six umpires are used: one at each base and two in the outfield along either foul line.

Another notable role in baseball is that of the official scorer. The results of baseball games are summarized in tables called box scores. The scorer is responsible for a number of judgments that go into the boxscore. For example, if a batted ball is misplayed by a fielder, the scorer may choose to charge the fielder with an error instead of crediting the batter with a hit. Within certain guidelines, the scorer also determines which pitchers are credited with winning and losing the game, and whether a relief pitcher will be awarded a hold or save, specific situations in which a relief pitcher keeps a lead intact for his team.

[sửa] Phong cách đặc trưng của bóng chày

Baseball is unique among American sports in several ways. This uniqueness is a large part of its longstanding appeal and strong association with the American psyche. The philosopher Morris Raphael Cohen described baseball as a national religion.

Although the following elements all contribute to baseball's uniqueness in American culture, they are all shared by its cousin game cricket. In many Commonwealth nations, cricket and the culture surrounding it hold a similar place and affection to baseball's role in American culture.

[sửa] Yếu tố thời gian

American football, basketball, ice hockey and soccer all use a clock, and games often end by a team killing the clock rather than competing directly against the opposing team. In contrast, baseball has no clock; a team cannot win without getting the last batter out and rallies are not constrained by time.

In recent decades, observers have criticized professional baseball for the length of its games, with some justification as the time required to play a baseball game has increased steadily through the years. One hundred years ago, games typically took an hour and a half to play; in 2004, the average major league baseball game lasted 2 hours and 47 minutes. This is due to longer commercial breaks, increased offense, more pitching changes, and a slower pace of play.

In response, Major League Baseball has instructed umpires to be more strict in enforcing speed-up rules and the size of the strike zone. Although the official rules specify that when the bases are empty, the pitcher should deliver the ball within 20 seconds of receiving it (with the penalty of a ball called if he fails to do so), this rule is rarely, if ever, enforced.

[sửa] Các nhân và đồng đội

Baseball is fundamentally a team sport—even two or three Hall of Fame-caliber players are no guarantee of a pennant—yet it places individual players under great pressure and scrutiny. The pitcher must make good pitches or risk losing the game; the hitter has a mere fraction of a second to decide what pitch has been thrown and whether or not to swing at it. While their respective managers and/or coaches can sometimes signal players regarding the strategies the manager wants to employ, no one can help the pitcher while he pitches or the hitter while he bats. If the batter hits a line drive, the outfielder, as the last line of defense, makes the lone decision to try to catch it or play it on the bounce. Baseball history is full of heroes and goats—men who in the heat of the moment (the "clutch") distinguished themselves with a timely hit or catch, or an untimely strikeout or error.

[sửa] Đặc trưng của mỗi sân bóng chày

Xem chi tiết: Baseball parks

Unlike the majority of sports, baseball parks do not have to follow a strict set of guidelines. With the exception of the strict rules on the dimensions of the infield, discussed above, the official rules simply state that fields built after June 1, 1958 must have a minimum distance of 325 feet (99 m) from home plate to the fences in left and right field and 400 (121 m) feet to center. This rule (a footnote to official rule 1.04) was passed specifically in response to the fence at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which was 251 feet (77 m) to the left field pole, 1 foot (0.3 m) over the bare minimum required by the rules. However, major league teams often skirt this rule. For example, Minute Maid Park's left field is only 315 feet (96 m), and with a fence much lower than the famous "Green Monster" at Fenway Park. And there are no rules at all regulating the height of "fences, stands or other obstructions", other than the assumption that they exist. Because of this flexibility, there are all sorts of variations in parks, from different lengths to the fences to uneven playing surfaces to massive or minimal amounts of foul territory. All of these factors, as well as local variations in altitude, climate and game scheduling, can affect the nature of the games played at those ballparks, and a park may be referred to as either a "pitcher's park" or a "hitter's park", depending on which side benefits more from the unique factors present. Wrigley Field, strangely enough, can be either, depending on the wind direction at any given time.

[sửa] Thống kê

Xem chi tiết: Baseball statistics

As with many sports, and perhaps even more so, statistics are very important to baseball. Statistics have been kept for the Major Leagues since their creation, and presumably statistics were around even before that. General managers, baseball scouts, managers, and players alike study player statistics to help them choose various strategies to best help their team.

Traditionally, statistics like batting average for batters—the number of hits divided by the number of at bats—and earned run average—approximately the number of runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings—have governed the statistical world of baseball. However, the advent of sabermetrics has brought an onslaught of new statistics that perhaps better gauge a player's performance and contributions to his team from year to year.

Some sabermetrics have entered the mainstream baseball statistic world. On-base plus slugging (OPS) is a somewhat complicated formula that gauges a hitter's performance better than batting average. It combines the hitter's on base percentage—hits plus walks plus hit by pitches divided by plate appearances—with their slugging percentage—total bases divided by at bats. Walks plus hits per inning pitched (or WHIP) gives a good representation of a pitcher's abilities; it is calculated exactly as its name suggests.

Also important are more specific statistics for a certain situation. For example, a certain hitter's ability to hit left-handed pitchers might cause his manager to give him more chances to face lefties. Some hitters hit better with runners in scoring position, so an opposing manager, knowing this statistic, might elect to intentionally walk him in order to face a poorer hitter.

[sửa] Lịch sử

Xem chi tiết: History of Baseball

Baseball is thought to be a direct descendant of cricket, rounders, and town ball (which was much like rounders). The first explicit references to baseball appear to come from England. The earliest known mention of the sport is in a 1744 publication, A Little Pretty Pocket-Book by John Newbery. It contains a wood-cut illustration of boys playing "baseball" (showing a similar set-up to the modern game) and a rhymed description of the sport. Also, a British letter dating from 1748 by Lady Hervey describes how the then Prince of Wales diverted his time playing baseball.

Another early mention of the game can be found in an 1886 edition of Sporting Life magazine, in a letter from Dr. Adam Ford of Denver, Colorado, formerly of St. Marys, Ontario, Canada, who details a base ball game played in Beachville, Ontario, Canada, on June 4, 1838 -- Militia Muster Day.

Alexander Cartwright had a hand in compiling and publishing an early list of rules in 1845 (the so-called Knickerbocker Rules) to meet the demands of the already popular sport, and today's rules of baseball have evolved from them.

Professional baseball began in the United States around 1865, and the National League was founded in 1876 as the first true major league, quickly producing famous players such as Honus Wagner. Several other major leagues formed and failed, but the American League, established in 1901 as a major league and originating from the minor Western League (1893), did succeed. While the two leagues were rivals who actively fought for the best players, often disregarding one another's contracts and engaging in bitter legal disputes, a modicum of peace was established in 1903, they began playing a World Series that year.

Compared to modern times, games in the early part of the 20th century were lower scoring and pitchers were more successful. The "inside game", whose nature was to "scratch for runs", was played rather more violently and aggressively than it is today. Ty Cobb said of his era especially, "Baseball is a war!" This period, which has since become known as the "dead-ball era", ended in the 1920s with several rule changes that gave advantages to hitters and the rise of the legendary baseball player Babe Ruth, who showed the world what power hitting could produce and thus changed the nature of the game.

During the first half of the 20th century, a "gentlemen's agreement" in the form of the baseball color line effectively barred African-American players from the major leagues (though not Native Americans, oddly enough), resulting in the formation of several Negro Leagues. Finally in 1947, Major League Baseball's color barrier was broken when Jackie Robinson was signed by the National League's Brooklyn Dodgers. Although it was not instantaneous, baseball has since become fully integrated.

Baseball has often been a barometer of the fabled American "melting pot", as immigrants from different regions have tried to "make good" in various areas including sports. In the 19th century, baseball was populated with many players of Irish or German extraction. A number of Native Americans had successful careers especially in the early 1900s. Italians and Poles appeared on many rosters during the 1920s and 1930s. Black Americans came on strong starting in the late 1940s after the barriers had been lifted, and continue to form a significant contingent. By the 1960s, Hispanics had started to make the scene, and had become a dominant force by the 1990s. In the 21st century, East Asians have been appearing in increasing numbers.

The middle of the century led major league baseball to the West of the United States and also became a time when pitchers dominated. Scoring became so low in the American League, due to pitching dominance, that the designated hitter was introduced; this rule now constitutes the primary difference between the two leagues.

Despite the popularity of baseball, and the attendant high salaries relative to those of average Americans, the players have become unsatisfied from time to time, as they believed the owners had too much control. Various job actions have occurred throughout the game's history. Players on specific teams occasionally attempted strikes, but usually came back when their jobs were sufficiently threatened. The throwing of the 1919 World Series, the "Black Sox scandal", was in some sense a "strike" or at least a rebellion by the ballplayers against a perceived stingy owner. But the strict rules of baseball contracts tended to keep the players "in line" in general.

This began to change in the 1960s when former Steelworkers Union president Marvin Miller became the Baseball Players Union president. The union became much stronger than it had been previously, especially when the reserve clause was effectively nullified in the mid-1970s. A series of strikes and lockouts began in baseball, affecting portions of the 1972 and 1981 seasons and culminating in the infamous strike of 1994 that led to the cancellation of the World Series and carried over into 1995 before it was finally settled.

The players typically always got what they demanded, but the popularity of baseball diminished greatly as a result of the players' actions, and fans were slow to return. Cal Ripken's record-breaking 2131st consecutive game in 1995 was a feel-good moment that helped boost interest in the sport. The great home run race of 1998 between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa really turned things around, captivating fans all summer. As with other times when adversity threatened the game, positive on-field events had triggered a renewed surge in baseball's popularity in America.

Professional baseball leagues began to form in countries outside of America in the 1920s and 1930s, including the Netherlands (formed in 1922), Japan (1936), and Australia (1934). Today, Venezuela (1945), the whole of Europe (1953), Italy (1948), Korea (1982), Taiwan (1990), and mainland China (2003) all have professional leagues as well (however, the leagues in Australia, Italy and the United Kingdom have generally had a niche appeal compared to the leagues in Asia and Venezuela and only now is the sport beginning to broaden in scope in those nations, most notably in Australia, who won a surprise silver medal in the 2004 Olympic Games). Israel is trying to form a professional baseball league with the help of American emigres. Canada has a franchise in Major League Baseball as well. Competition between national teams, such as in the World Cup of Baseball and the Olympic baseball tournament, has been administered by the International Baseball Federation since its formation in 1938. As of 2004, this organization has 112 member countries. The new World Baseball Classic, first held in March, 2006, seems likely to have a much higher profile than previous tournaments, owing to the participation for the first time of a significant number of players from the United States Major Leagues.

The 117th meeting of the International Olympic Committee, held in Singapore in July 2005, voted not to hold baseball and softball tournaments at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, but they will remain an Olympic sport during the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, and will be put to vote again for each succeeding Summer Olympics. The elimination of baseball and softball from the 2012 Olympic program enabled the IOC to consider adding two other sports to the program instead, but no other sport received a majority of votes favoring its inclusion. While baseball's lack of major appeal in a significant portion of the world was a factor, a more important factor was the unwillingness of Major League Baseball to have a break during the Games so that its players could participate, something that the National Hockey League now does during the Winter Olympic Games.

[sửa] Các giải đấu được tổ chức

Baseball is played at a number of levels, by amateur and professionals, and by the young and the old. Youth programs use modified versions of adult and professional baseball rules, which may include a smaller field, easier pitching (from a coach, a tee, or a machine), less contact, base running restrictions, limitations on innings a pitcher can throw, liberal balk rules, and run limitations, among others. Since rules vary from location-to-location and among the organizations, coverage of the nuances in those rules is beyond this article.

Following is a list of organized leagues:

• Youth Leagues
  • Little League, a youth program, headquartered in Williamsport, Pennsylvania (USA).
  • Dizzy Dean Baseball a youth program in the USA.
  • American Legion Baseball, a youth program, headquartered in Indianapolis, IN.
  • USSSA Baseball a youth and adult program, headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri (USA).
  • Ripken Baseball, a youth program, headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland (USA).
  • Babe Ruth League, a youth program, headquarted in Trenton, New Jersey (USA).
• High School
  • In the USA, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and each state association governs the play of baseball at the high school level.
• Collegiate Level
  • List of Collegiate Summer Baseball Leagues
  • NCAA, including NCAA Division I and the College World Series, are collegiate level baseball programs played in the USA.
  • National Club Baseball Association (NCBA)
• International Competition
  • Many international baseball events are coordinated by the International Baseball Federation, including The World Cup and The World Baseball Classic.
  • As an Olympic sport, see earlier section on the status of baseball in the Olympic games, and the article "Baseball at the Summer Olympics."
• Semi-professional baseball
  • Independent Baseball
• Professional baseball
  • Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States;
  • Minor League baseball in the United States;
  • Negro League baseball, defunct since 1958, in the United States.
  • All-American Girls Professional Baseball League
  • Mexican Baseball
  • Japanese Baseball
  • Taiwan professional baseball
  • Korean Baseball Organization (KBO)
  • Australian Baseball
  • There are also smaller professional leagues in China, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and many others.

[sửa] Xem thêm

• Comparison between cricket and baseball
• Baseball Hall of Fame
• Baseball awards
• Simplified baseball rules
• Major League Baseball transactions
• Vintage Base Ball

[sửa] Văn hóa

• Baseball slang
• Ceremonial first pitch
• List of baseball jargon
• List of baseball nicknames
• "Casey at the Bat"
• "Curse of the Bambino"
• "Curse of the billy goat"
• "Who's on First?"
• Rawlings (company)
• Baseball superstition
• Baseball card
• Baseball movie
• Fantasy baseball
• Cuban Baseball
• Baseball Metaphor

[sửa] Thống kê và danh sách

• Baseball fielding positions
• Baseball scorekeeping
• List of baseball jargon (terms used in the game)
• Baseball slang (slang also used outside the scope of baseball)
• List of rare baseball events (occurring within a single game)
• Baseball terminology
• Category:Major league baseball players by national origin
• Sports league attendances

[sửa] Chú thích

1. ^ The "third strike rule", which has been on the books since at least the time of the Knickerbocker Rules, is that the batter can try to advance to first base on the third strike, if the third strike is not caught. However, the batter is not permitted to advance if first base is occupied, unless there are already two outs. This is to prevent the catcher from dropping the ball on purpose and setting up a potential double or triple play. The underlying concept is the same as the "Infield Fly Rule", to curb defensive shenanigans. Both rules change when there are two outs, because then there is no defensive advantage to dropping the ball on purpose. Statistically, such a play still counts as a strikeout for the pitcher, plus either a passed ball charged to the catcher or a wild pitch charged to the pitcher, so if the batter advances safely to first on such a play, it is possible for a pitcher to record 4 (or more) strikeouts in one inning. Such has happened several dozen times in the history of the major leagues, and at least one time in the minor leagues a pitcher has recorded 5.

[sửa] Tham khảo

• Joe Brinkman and Charlie Euchner, The Umpire's Handbook, rev. ed. (1987)
• Bill James and John Dewan, Bill James Presents the Great American Baseball Stat Book, ed. by Geoff Beckman et al. (1987)
• Bill James, The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract, (ISBN 0743227220)
• Robert Peterson, Only the Ball Was White (1970, reprinted 1984)
• Joseph L. Reichler (ed.), The Baseball Encyclopedia, 7th rev. ed. (1988). (since 1871)
• Lawrence Ritter and Donald Honig, The Image of Their Greatness: An Illustrated History of Baseball from 1900 to the Present, updated ed. (1984)
• Lawrence S. Ritter (comp.), The Glory of Their Times: The Story of the Early Days of Baseball Told by the Men Who Played It, new ed. (1984)
• David Quentin Voigt, Baseball, an Illustrated History (1987)
• Jeff MacGregor, The New Electoral Sex Symbol: Nascar Dad, The New York Times (January 18, 2004)
• Michael Mandelbaum, The Meaning of Sports, (PublicAffairs, ISBN 1-58648-252-1).
• Diamonds of the North: A Concise History of Baseball in Canada by William Humber (Oxford University Press, 1995).
• Old Time Baseball and the London Tecumsehs of the late 1870s by Les Bronson, a recorded (and later transcribed) talk given to the London & Middlesex Historical Society on February 15, 1972. Available in the London Room of the Central Branch of the London Public Library.
• Journal of Sport History (1988), A Critical Examination of a Source in Early Ontario Baseball: The Reminiscence of Adam E. Ford by UWO Professor Robert K. Barney and Nancy Bouchier.
• The Beaver, Exploring Canada's History October-November 1994, Baseball's Canadian Roots: Abner Who? by Mark Kearney.
• The Northern Game: Baseball the Canadian Way by Bob Elliott (Sport Classic, 2005).
• 'The 1948 London Majors: A Great Canadian Team by Dan Mendham (unpublished academic paper, UWO, December 7, 1992).
• An Eight-Page Indenture/ Instrument #33043 between The London and Western Trusts Company Limited, The Corporation of The City of London and John Labatt, Limited, dated December 31, 1936, and registered on title in the Land Registry Office for the City of London on January 2, 1937, conveying Tecumseh Park to the City of London along with $10,000 on the provisos that the athletic field be preserved, maintained and operated "for the use of the citizens of the City of London as an athletic field and recreation ground" and that it be renamed "The John Labatt Memorial Athletic Park."
• Heritage Baseball: City of London a souvenir program from July 23, 2005, celebrating the history of Labatt Park and London, Ontario's 150th anniversary as an incorporated city.
• Pittsfield: Small city, big baseball town, earliest known baseball reference

[sửa] Liên kết ngoài

• Official Website of Major League Baseball
• Official Website of the British Baseball Federation
• New York Mutuals Vintage Base Ball Club
• 19th Century Base Ball at Old Bethpage Long Island
• Baseball Basics from MLB.com
• MLB Official Rules
• Online Museum of Early Baseball Memorabilia
• Baseball Blogs Directory
• Baseball Statistics
• International Baseball
• [2] (A documentary about baseball and society in Cuba. Directed by Robert A. Clift and Salomé Aguilera Skvirsky)
• Baseball in China Article
• MLB News and Facts
• A look at baseball through rarely seen postcards
• Pro Baseball Newspaper Articles Archive