Editing Baseball rules (section)

====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.