Editing Baseball rules (section)

===Batting team===

====Batters and runners====
{{Multiple images
| image1            = Catcher & hitter 1.JPG
| image2            = Play at First (108116093).jpg
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| footer            = In order for the batting team to score a run, at least one of its players has to succeed as a batter (left). If the batter puts the ball in play, they then generally have to beat a throw to first base (center), and from there, can try to eventually reach home plate (right).
| image3            = Jason Kipnis sliding into home plate (9944533936).jpg
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The ultimate goal of the team at bat is to score runs. To accomplish this task, the team at bat successively (in a predetermined order called a ''lineup'' or ''[[batting order (baseball)|batting order]]'') 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|Substitutions]] below.)

A batter's turn at the plate is called a ''[[plate appearance]]''. Batters can advance to first base safely in one of seven methods: a [[Hit (baseball)|base-hit]] (abbreviated 'H') or [[Base on balls|walk]] ('BB' for base-on-balls) are by far the most common; being [[Hit by pitch|hit-by-the-pitch]] ('HBP'), reaching by [[Error (baseball)|error]] ('E') or [[fielder's choice]] ('FC') are less common; and somewhat rarely a player may reach base by virtue of [[Interference (baseball)|interference]] ('I') or a [[passed ball]] ('PB') on a [[strikeout]], where the player is allowed to run and reach base safely if able. 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 a hit that allows the batter to touch all bases in order on the same play is a [[home run]]—whether the ball is hit over the fence does not matter (if the ball is not hit over the fence and the batter touches all bases, it is usually referred to as an "inside-the-park home run"). 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 interference if it were to contact the ball or a fielder. However, if a batter hits the ball, and the batter or the dropped bat touches the ball, it is considered a dead ball.

Depending on the way the ball comes off the bat, the play has different names. A batted ball is called a fly ball if it is hit in the air in an upward arc, such that a fielder might be able to catch it before it hits the ground. A batted ball is called a ''[[ground ball]]'' if it hits the ground within the infield before it can be caught, often due to being hit in a downward trajectory. Several different names are used to describe fly balls, depending on their trajectory. A ball hit high in the air and seemingly almost straight up is called a "pop-up". A ball hit forcefully in a fast-moving and seemingly almost straight-line trajectory is called a ''[[line drive]]''. A "shallow" fly ball, hit with just enough force to possibly land between the infielders and the outfielders, is often called a "blooper". A "deep" fly ball is hit with enough force to approach and possibly clear the outfield fence.

When a ball is hit outside the foul lines, it is a ''foul ball'', requiring the batter and all runners to return to their respective bases, whether it is caught or not. Additionally, if a ground ball or a bunted ball lands in foul territory and the ball rolls back into bounds before reaching either first or third bases without being touched by either a fielder or a runner, then said ball is considered fair.

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 circle the bases only once per plate appearance and thus can score no more than a single run. In the American, Pacific, and both Cuban leagues, there is a tenth player, a designated hitter, who bats for the pitcher.

====Batting====
{{main|Batting (baseball)}}
[[File:Strike zone en.JPG|thumb|The strike zone, which determines the outcome of most pitches, varies in vertical length depending on the batter's typical height while swinging.]]
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]] (either right or left). With each pitch, the batter must decide whether to swing the bat at the ball in an attempt to hit it. The pitches arrive quickly, so the [[Reaction time|decision to swing]] must be made in less than a tenth of a second, based on whether 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 (baseball)|bunt]]. Good bunting technique has been described as "catching the ball with the bat."

On any pitch, if the batter swings at the ball and misses, he is charged with a ''[[strike (baseball statistics)|strike]]''. If the batter does not swing, the home plate [[umpire (baseball)|umpire]] judges whether the ball passed through the strike zone. If any part of the ball passed through the zone, it is ruled a strike; otherwise, it is called a ''[[ball (baseball statistics)|ball]]''. The number of balls and strikes thrown to the current batter is known as the [[count (baseball)|count]]; the count is always given balls first, then strikes (such as 3–2 or "three and two", also known as a "full count", 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 if there are less than two. 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 is a strikeout.) If a pitch is batted 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 deflects the ball sharply and directly back toward the catcher's box, it is a ''[[foul tip]]''. If a ball ruled as a foul tip is caught, with two strikes in the count,  it is considered a counted third strike and an out; if not initially caught by the catcher, it remains a foul ball with two strikes.

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 or if the pitch bounces before it is caught. It is then ruled an [[uncaught third strike]], an exception to the third strike rule: If the catcher drops the third strike, the batter is permitted to attempt to advance to first base if there are two outs in the inning or if it is unoccupied. In this case, the batter is not out (although the pitcher is awarded a strikeout). The catcher can try to get the batter out by tagging him with the ball or throwing the ball to first base to put him out. (See [[Doug Eddings|Doug Eddings (2005 ALCS)]] and [[Mickey Owen|Mickey Owen (1941 World Series)]] for famous examples of dropped third strikes that dramatically altered the course of post-season series.)

On the fourth [[ball (baseball statistics)|ball]], it is called a walk, and 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 (or the batter's clothes), 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 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. In addition, if the batter swings at a pitch that hits him, it counts as a strike. If the catcher's mitt, catcher's mask, or any part of the catcher comes in contact with the batter and/or the batter's bat as the batter is attempting to hit a pitch, the batter is awarded first base, ruled "catcher's interference".

====Baserunning====
{{main|Baserunning}}
Once a batter becomes a runner and reaches first base safely, 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. In order to be safe a runner must beat the ball to the bag. When two or more runners are on the basepaths, the runner further along is called a ''lead runner'' or a ''preceding runner''; any other runner is called a ''trailing runner'' or a ''following runner''. Runners on second or third base are considered to be in ''scoring position'' since ordinary hits, even singles, will often allow them to score.

A runner legally touching a base is "[[Safe (baseball)|safe]]"—in most situations he may not be put out. Runners may attempt to advance from base to base at any time (except when the [[dead ball (baseball)|ball is dead]]). A runner that must attempt to advance is [[force play|forced]], when all previous bases are occupied and a batted ball that touches the ground is a fair ball. The runner forced to advance toward the next base is considered "forced out" if a fielder holding the baseball touches the intended base before the baserunner arrives. When a batted ball is hit in the air, i.e., a ''fly ball'', and caught by the defending team, runners must return and "retouch" the base they occupied at the [[time of pitch|time of the pitch]]. The common name for this requirement is ''[[tag up|tagging up]].'' If the runner retouches the origin base at any time after the fly ball is first touched by a fielder, he may attempt to advance to the next base or bases at his own risk. The penalty for failing to retouch (if the defensive team notices this) is that the advancing runner can be put out on a live appeal in which the defensive team player with the ball touches the base from which that runner departed prematurely. If a runner tagged up and tries to run to the next base in sequence, they are deemed out if tagged by an infielder at any point before reaching the base or the ball arrives at the base ahead of the runner. However, if the runner is not forced to run to the next base in sequence, they are not deemed out until they are tagged. This often leads to a runner being trapped between two or more infielders trying to tag them before reaching any base: a situation known as being "caught in no-man's-land".

Only one runner may occupy a base at a time; if two runners are touching a base at once, the trailing runner is [[Glossary of baseball terms#in jeopardy|in jeopardy]] and will be out if [[tag out|tagged]]. However, if the trail runner reached the base having been forced there, it is the lead runner who will be out when tagged for failing to reach his [[force base]]. Either such occurrence is very rare. Thus, after a play, at most three runners may be on the basepaths, one on each base—first, second, and third. When three runners are on base, this is called ''bases loaded''.

[[File:Baseball pick-off attempt.jpg|thumb|right|Pick-off attempt on runner (in red) at first base]]

Baserunners may attempt to advance, or [[stolen base|steal a base]], while the pitcher is preparing to make a pitch, while he is making a pitch, or while waiting for a return throw from the catcher after 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''. He may also, as part of a planned sequence, throw a pitch well outside and high of the strike zone to his catcher who is waiting for it upright there, and is thus better prepared to throw out a runner trying to steal; this sequence is called a "pitchout." 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 deceive a runner, among other pitching violations, is called a [[balk]], allowing all runners to advance one base without risk of being put out.

Another fundamental tenet of the rules of baseball is that a runner who was initially ruled out can subsequently be ruled safe, but once a runner is ruled safe he cannot be called out on the same play, unless he overruns the base. For example, if a baserunner steals second base, beating the throw, an umpire might make the quick call of safe, but if the runner then slides beyond the base and is tagged before he can retreat to it the umpire has the right to change the call. A runner initially called out can be subsequently ruled safe if the fielder putting the runner out drops the ball (on either a tag or force play), pulls his foot off the base (in the case of a force play), or otherwise illegally [[Obstruction (baseball)|obstructs]] a runner from reaching a base that he otherwise would have reached safely.

====Batting and base running strategy====
The goal of each batter is to become a base runner himself (by a [[hit (baseball)|base hit]], a [[base on balls]], being [[hit by pitch|hit by the pitch]], a [[error (baseball)|fielding error]], or [[fielder's choice]]) or to help move other base runners along (by another [[hit (baseball)|base hit]], a [[sacrifice bunt]], [[sacrifice fly]], or [[hit and run (baseball)|hit and run]]).

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 pitcher's arms, shoulders, body, etc., or the positioning of the catcher's feet and glove. Batters can 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. The count is considered to be in the batter's favor when there are more balls than strikes (e.g., two balls and no strikes). This puts pressure on the pitcher to throw a strike to avoid a walk so the batter is more likely to get an easier pitch to hit and can look for a particular pitch in a particular zone or take a riskier or bigger swing. The count is considered to be in the pitcher's favor when there are fewer balls than strikes (e.g., no balls and two strikes). This gives the pitcher more freedom to try enticing the batter to swing at a pitch outside the strike zone or throwing a pitch that is harder to control (e.g. a [[curve ball|curve]], [[Slider (baseball)|slider]] or [[split-finger fastball|splitter]]), but that is also harder to hit. Thus the batter will take a more protective swing.

A major strategy in batting at competitive levels of baseball is patient hitting. An example of patient hitting is when a batter has a zero strike count, the batter will almost always look for his perfect pitch. One strike hitting is very similar to no strike hitting and the batter usually is still looking for a good pitch to hit. Two strike hitting, the strategy is changed where the batter will protect the plate by fouling off pitches until the batter is able to find a pitch to hit. This style of hitting allows the hitter to look for a good pitch to hit, and makes the pitcher throw more pitches so that he will tire out faster. This is critical if the batting team is facing a very skilled pitcher who, if allowed to, will take over the game with his ability to get batters to do what he wants them to do.
[[File:197A2027 Alfredo Escalera Baseball Prospect 17.JPG|left|thumb|Baserunners generally stand a short distance away from their base between pitches, preparing themselves to either go back or steal the next base.]]
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 out|tag]] plays, a good [[slide (baseball)|slide]] can affect the outcome of the play. Managers will sometimes simultaneously send a runner and require the batter to swing (a [[hit and run (baseball)|hit-and-run]] play) in an attempt to advance runners. On a hit-and-run play the batter will often try to hit to the opposite field (the opposite of the natural tendency for the right-handed hitter to pull the ball to left field and vice versa). Hitting to the opposite field will likely find an opening in the infield vacated by the fielder covering second base. This is because coverage of second base against a steal is best achieved by whichever fielder is closer to second base, the shortstop or the second baseman; and such positioning is aimed at defending against the natural tendency of the hitter.

Typically, the first and second batters are [[contact hitter]]s, who try to make contact with the ball to put it in play, and then run fast to reach base. The third batter is generally the best all-around hitter on the team, who tries to help baserunners to score runs, and if possible to reach base himself. The fourth batter is the [[cleanup hitter]], and is often a [[power hitter]], who tries to hit home runs.

The fifth and sixth batters often help baserunners to score runs. They often "sacrifice" his [[at-bat]]. This can be done by [[sacrifice bunt|bunting]] the ball, hitting a [[sacrifice fly|fly ball]] far enough in the air that a baserunner can advance after the catch, or simply making contact with the ball on a hit-and-run play.

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 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 (baseball)|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 that completely blocks home plate from the runner, and the runner will often try to knock the ball out of the catcher's hand by running him over. Since the catcher is seen (symbolically and literally) as the last line of defense, it seems natural that more physical play happens.