What do you think of when you hear the word “curveball?” Chances are, you think of a pitcher throwing a wicked curveball that makes the batter look foolish. Curveballs are one of the most exciting pitches to watch in baseball. If you’re interested in learning how to throw a curveball, this blog post is for … Read more
Cutter pitches are one of the most effective tools in a pitcher’s arsenal. They’re not as common as other pitches, such as fastballs and curveballs, so they can be an especially nasty surprise for batters. In this article, we’ll teach you how to throw a cutter pitch that will have your opponents guessing. Keep reading … Read more
Mendoza Line explained The Mendoza Line in baseball refers to a .200 batting average, considered by almost all standards to be well below average for a major league hitter. The name “Mendoza Line” was named after Mario Mendoza, who played shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Seattle Mariners, and the Texas Rangers between 1974-1982. The … Read more
The hold explained A hold in baseball is a statistic awarded to relief pitchers who enter a game when their team is winning by 3 runs or less and maintain that lead while recording at least one out. Those two factors must be in place for an official hold to be awarded: the relief pitcher … Read more
Quality start explained A quality start in baseball is a statistic assigned to starting pitchers that pitch six full innings and allow three earned runs or less. It is called a quality start because starting pitchers are expected to prevent runs and get opposing hitters out. So, the statistic of a quality start measures a … Read more
Batting average explained The batting average is an offensive statistic in baseball that gauges hitters’ success in reaching base safely on base hits. The batting average is popular with baseball fans. Still, players and coaches often ignore it because the formula does not include many aspects of the game-walks, total bases, extra-base hits, etc. What … Read more
Left on base explained LOB, or left on base, is a statistic that refers to how many runners are stranded on the base paths at the end of an inning. For batters, LOB indicates the number of runners left on base after the hitter makes an out. For pitchers, LOB describes the number of runners … Read more
The walk-off explained A walk-off in baseball happens when the home team scores the go-ahead run in the bottom of the ninth or extra innings to end the game. The batter who drives home the game-winning run with a hit or walk is only required to touch first base since the game is over once … Read more
MVR in baseball, or Mound Visits Remaining, is a term you may have heard but might not know the definition of. In this article, we will explore what MVR is and the role it plays in the game of baseball. We’ll also take a look at how the 5-visit policy came to be and its … Read more
Mastering the batting order in baseball is a blend of art and science, determining the flow and potential success of a game. This post will explore strategies behind the lineup, revealing how positions in the batting order can influence the game’s outcome. The batting order A good batting order is determined by the talent on … Read more
OPS in baseball is one of the many statistics that players and fans use to evaluate players. But what is OPS and why is it important? In this blog post, we will break down OPS and explain its importance in the game of baseball. On-base plus slugging On-base plus slugging, or OPS is a baseball … Read more
How to play pitcher The pitcher controls the pace of the game. He decides when to pitch and when to pause. He can choose to operate in a quick manner or a slow one. While his role is pretty simple, it isn’t an easy one. Of all the positions on the diamond, the pitcher can … Read more
Securing right field in baseball is not just about catching fly balls; it demands keen awareness of the game’s dynamics, the ability to make strong throws, and the agility to cover ground quickly, ensuring your team’s defensive strategy is impenetrable. How to play right field The right field is an outfield position in baseball. This … Read more
Playing left field in baseball requires more than just catching fly balls; it’s about mastering positioning, understanding situational plays, and communicating effectively with fellow outfielders and infielders to secure your team’s defense. How to play left field Left field is one of the nine positions on a baseball field. It is a part of the … Read more
Mastering center field in baseball requires keen awareness and quick reflexes. In this introduction to playing center field, we’ll cover the fundamentals of positioning, catching, and throwing that every aspiring outfielder needs to know. How to play center field In a baseball game, there are nine positions that must be manned. All of these positions … Read more
How to play shortstop The shortstop is the main position in the infield. Usually, the player with the best range of skills is found in this position. SS (Short Stop) is located between the 3rd and 2nd bases. According to the score sheet, this position is labeled as the number 6. Many shortstops are some … Read more
First base in baseball demands agility, precision, and swift decision-making. This guide will provide insights on mastering the essential techniques and responsibilities of the position. How to play first base Unlike many other positions, first base has its role focused on one main thing—catching the ball. The first base’s main job is to have a … Read more
How to Play Second Base Second base (2B) is an interesting position as it has some unique roles compared to other positions. It is located in the infield part of a baseball field. This position always sees fast-paced action, such as ground balls and line drives. It takes a deep skillset to find success in … Read more
Mastering third base in baseball requires quick reflexes and a strong arm, as players cover the “hot corner” where sharp grounders and fast line drives are the norm. How to Play Third Base The third base is considered a corner infielder. Corner infielders protect the foul lines that go up the edge of the infield. … Read more
Playing catcher in baseball is about mastering the art of defense and strategy. This pivotal position requires a unique blend of skills, from calling pitches to controlling the base paths. Let’s explore what it takes to don the mask and become the team’s backbone behind the plate. How to Play Catcher Catcher is a position … Read more
In baseball, a “Maddux” is a special feat where a pitcher throws a complete game shutout with fewer than 100 pitches, a display of efficiency and dominance on the mound named after the legendary pitcher Greg Maddux. This article will explore the rare and impressive accomplishment and the skill it takes to achieve it. Maddux … Read more
Unlike many sports where games can end in a draw, baseball typically plays until there is a winner. However, certain circumstances, like weather conditions or darkness in stadiums without lights, have historically resulted in ties. Let’s delve into how baseball addresses the concept of a tied game under its rules. Some history Baseball games used … Read more
Do you know how to read a baseball scoreboard? Most fans know the basics, but there is more to it than just reading the score. In this post, we will teach you how to read a baseball scoreboard and what all of the abbreviations and terms mean. So, if you’re looking to brush up on … Read more
In baseball, a checked swing is a batter’s attempt to hit the ball that is halted midway through the swing. Determining whether the swing was checked or not can be subjective, but it boils down to whether the batter went far enough for it to be considered an actual attempt to hit the pitch. Let’s … Read more
The distinction between a passed ball and a wild pitch lies in who is deemed responsible when a baserunner advances; a passed ball is charged to the catcher’s mishandling, while a wild pitch is one that the catcher cannot reasonably be expected to control due to the pitcher’s error. Wild Pitch If a pitcher throws … Read more
A foul ball in baseball occurs when a batter hits a ball that lands outside the field of play’s fair territory, which extends from the foul poles and the baselines connecting them to home plate. This often results in a strike, but under certain conditions, it cannot cause the batter to be called out. What … Read more
A complete game in baseball is a baseball statistic awarded to a player that pitches the entire game for their team, regardless of how many innings are played. For a pitcher to earn a complete game, they must also be the only player on their team to pitch, with no other teammate throwing a pitch … Read more
A perfect game in baseball happens when a pitcher gets every opposing batter out without anyone reaching base the entire game. Over a 9-inning game, each team gets three outs per inning for a total of 27 outs. If a pitcher gets all 27 outs without one batter reaching base for any reason, then that … Read more
Tagging up in baseball refers to the baserunner’s strategy of staying on their current base until the ball is caught when a fly ball is hit. Once the catch is secured, they can attempt to advance to the next base. This play requires keen judgment and timing, pivotal in tight games where every run counts. … Read more
The force out is one of the most fundamental concepts in baseball and is based on the idea that two base runners cannot occupy the same base simultaneously. A force out is a play when the defense records an out without actually having to “tag” a runner, catch a fly ball in the air, or … Read more