Learn the basics of baseball as a player, spectator, or coach
Baseball For Dummies gets you started learning about this popular sport. You can improve your fundamentals as a player, inspire your team as a coach, or enjoy watching baseball as a superfan. The book includes helpful illustrations and diagrams that make it easy to understand the rules. You'll learn about offensive and defensive strategies, hitting and pitching techniques, the roles of each player on the team, what managers and coaches do, and how to understand baseball statistics. In beginner-friendly terms, this guide also covers the differences between the Minor and Major Leagues, T-Ball, college baseball, and leagues around the world. Batter up!
- Get a handle on the basic rules, strategies, and skills of baseball
- Learn about the different baseball leagues—including recent changes to the rules—so you can have fun following the sport
- Improve your technique with tips on pitching, hitting, and fielding
- Delve into statistics and advanced concepts that will help you understand pro play
This book is for baseball fans of every level, from beginners to loyal fans who want to know even more. Players and coaches will also love this book's advice on how to sharpen their skills.
Table of Contents:
Introduction 1
Part 1: Getting Started with Baseball 5
Chapter 1: The Lowdown on Baseball 7
Chapter 2: Suiting Up: Equipment 17
Chapter 3: Tackling the Rules of Baseball. 33
Part 2: Taking Your Swings — Playing Offense 49
Chapter 4: Preparing to Swing the Lumber: Life in the Batter’s Box 51
Chapter 5: Hitting Like a Major Leaguer 67
Chapter 6: The Science of Baserunning 89
Part 3: The Ball in Play — Playing Defense 113
Chapter 7: Knowing the Players and Plays 115
Chapter 8: Winning the Arms’ Race: Pitching Like a Major Leaguer 131
Chapter 9: Behind the Plate: The Catcher 155
Chapter 10: Playing Infield 169
Chapter 11: Playing the Outfield: Where Fly Balls Go to Die 193
Part 4: From Little League to the Major Leagues — Organized Baseball 203
Chapter 12: T-Ball to College Baseball and Everything in Between 205
Chapter 13: The Majors, the Minors, and Other Leagues 215
Chapter 14: The Rest of the Field: Managers and Coaches 231
Chapter 15: Identifying the Rest of the Cast of Characters in the Ballpark 241
Chapter 16: Measuring Performance: Calculating Baseball’s Statistics 251
Chapter 17: Going All the Way: MLB Postseason Play and the World Series 259
Part 5: The View from the Stands — A Spectator’s Guide 267
Chapter 18: Following the Bouncing Baseball 269
Chapter 19: Baseball Bans: Don’t Do the Crime If You Can’t Do the Time 293
Chapter 20: Keeping Up Online, on the Air, and on the Newsstand 303
Chapter 21: Playing Fantasy Baseball 313
Part 6: The Part of Tens 323
Chapter 22: Joe Morgan’s Top Ten Toughest Pitchers He Batted Against 325
Chapter 23: Joe Morgan’s Ten Smartest Players 333
Appendix: Baseball Speak: A Glossary 339
Index 361
