Saturday, November 9, 2013

Baseball

Baseball, a game between two teams, played on a field with bat and ball, and officiated by one or more umpires. Nine defensive players take positions in the field, while batters take turns trying to reach first base and advance runners around the four bases to score runs. Beloved by millions of Americans, it is generally regarded as their national game. Although football has increased in popularity since 1960's, baseball has retained its preeminent position among American sports.
Unlike certain other sports (soccer, basketball, track), baseball does not have a worldwide following. Outside the United States it is played chiefly in Latin America, Canada and Japan. The game became very popular in Japan during the American occupation after World War II. The following section describes the rules of the professional baseball in the United States.

How Baseball is Played
The Players. The nine-man defensive team is made up of a pitcher and catcher (together called the battery); a first, second, and third baseman and a shortstop (infielders); and a left, center and the right fielder (outfielders). In some leagues the team at bat may employ a "tenth man," a designated hitter, who bats for the traditionally weak-hitting pitcher but does not play in the field. A professional squad also includes substitutes, coaches, and a manager, who directs the team. Players may be shifted from one position to another during the game, but except for the pitcher for whom the designated hitter bats, a player once removed may not reenter the game. Major league squads are limited to 25 active players-40 after September 1.

Equipment and Uniforms. All Players on a team wear uniforms identical in color trim, and style. The uniform usually consist of knee stockings, knickers, and a half-sleeved shirt, under which a long-sleeved jersey is worn. The shirt usually displays the name of the team and number, or a number plus a last name, to identify the players. A visor ed cap, often with team initials, completes the uniform. Players wear oxford-style shoes with spiked soles. The regulation baseball is a sphere formed by winding yarn around a core of cork and rubber; its cover consists of two stripes of tightly stitched white cowhide (formerly horsehide). The ball must weigh not less than 5 or more than 51/4 ounces and measure not less than 9 or more than 91/4 inches in circumference. The bat, a smooth, round stick generally made of ash, can be no point than 23/4 inches in diameter at its thickest point and no more than 42 inches in length. Each of the infielders (except the first baseman), each outfielder, and the pitcher wear on one hand a flexible leather finger gloves with some padding. the catcher uses a heavily padded glove with a cleft between the thumb and index finger and wears a chest protector, shin guards, and a wire mast to protect his face. The first basemen uses a glove smaller and more flexible than the catcher's. At bat, the player usually wears a plastic helmet as a skull protector.

The Playing Field. Much of the play of the game takes place within the square called the infield or diamond. The sides of this square measure 90 feet and its four corners constitute four bases, the most important of which is the home base, called home plate First base is diagonally to the right and third base diagonally to the left of home plate. The distance between home plate and second base, and between first base and third base, is 127 feet, 33/8  inches. White lines (called the foul lines) run from home plate past first and third base to the grandstands or out-field fences. All of the territory within the 90o angle formed by the foul lines is called fair territory; that outside is considered foul territory.
Home plate, 17 inches long and 17 inches wide, is marked by a five-sided slab of whitened rubber at ground level. At each of the other three bases are white canvas bags, 15 inches square and not less than 3 inches nor more than 4 inches thick. The bags are tied down by straps or by pegs inserted into the ground and are located within fair territory. The pitcher's rubber is a slab 2 feet long and 6 inches from plate in the direction of  second base. It is located on the pitcher's mound, also called the "hill"; this is a circular mound with gradual slopes, which rises to a height of 10 inches above the base lines and home plate at its greatest elevation.
Beyond the infield are the wide ranges of the outfield, which vary in area in different ball parks (although there has been a recent tendency to standardize playing fields). Under present rules, the minimum distance from home plate to an outfield grandstand or fence at the foul lines is 250 feet. However, since 1958 no professional club has been permitted to build a new field that does not have a minimum distance of 320 feet at the foul lines and 400 feet in the center field.

General Principles of the Game. The object of baseball is the scoring of more runs than the opposition, and the zest of the game and all of its strategy hinge on the continuous struggle between the offense (the team at bat), which attempts to score, and the defense (the team in the field), which attempts to prevent such scoring. Initially, and throughout much of the game, the struggle is centered in the contest between the pitcher and the batter. As the pitcher throws (pitches) the ball to the catcher behind the plate, the batter attempts to judge whether the pitch is in the strike zone and, if it is, to hit out of reach of the defensive players in the field. Members of the offensive team come to bat one at a time, each attempting to reach base safely, that is without being put out. When a batter reaches base, he becomes a runner, and it becomes the task of the succeeding batter to advance him to the next base. Only one runner may occupy a base at any one time. A run is scored when a member of the at the bat, having advanced around the diamond counterclockwise, touching first, second, and third base in succession, completes the circuit and touches home plate. Three putouts (that is, the retirement of three players) retires the side, whereupon the team that has been defending comes to bat and its opponents take the field.
Each team's time at bat constitutes a half inning, an inning being that portion of the game in which both teams take one turn at bat. The standard game consists of 9 innings. The visiting team bats first, and if the home team is ahead after 8 1/2 innings, the game ends. if the score is tied after 9 innings, the game continues until the tie is broken (provide the home team is given the chance to bat), unless darkness or other conditions prevent further play. when a game is ended by rain, lighting failure, or another factor that in the umpire's judgement interferes with play, 5 innings make up legal game (4 1/2 innings) if the home team is ahead).

The Start of the Game. before the game begins each round team presents to the umpire in chief its starting lineup or batting order, the order in which the players will bat. As play is about to start. the home team players take their positions on the playing field. The pitcher takes his place on the mound; the catcher stands in a prescribed catcher's box (a rectangular area marked out behind home plate); and the other players move to the best strategic positions to cope with a ball hit  in fair territory by the batter. Infielders rarely "hug" their bases, standing 5 to 20 feet from the bags, and the shortstop generally plays far back ("deep") in the infield between second and third base. The game begins when the umpire calls "Play ball".

Balls and Strikes. The batsman or batter stands in either of two 4-foot by 6-foot batter's boxes marked out on either side of home plate (for hitters). The pitcher directly faces the batter in one of two legal pitching positions-the windup or the set. His purpose is to throw the ball in the strike zone, the space directly over the plate and between the batter's armpits and the top of his knees as he takes a natural stance. A pitch in this area, if not hit by the batter, is called a strike. A strike is also a legal pitch that is struck at by batter and missed; or which is  hit into a foul territory, when the batter has less than two strikes against him; or which is nicked (or tripped) by the bat and is held by the catcher; or which touches a batter while he swings at the ball. Three strikes constitute a putout (in this instance called a strikeout), and the man thus retired is succeeded at the plate by the next player in the batting order.
Any pitch outside of the strike zone is called a ball if not struck at by the batter. Four balls, called a base on balls (also called a walk or a pass), permit the batter to go to first base. The batter also reaches first base if hit by a pitched ball which he has tried to avoid, or if the catcher or any other fielder interferes with his batting swing.

Base hits and Errors. The primary aim of the batter is to get a base hit, that is, to hit the ball anywhere in fair territory and reach as many bases as he possibly can without being put out. A hit is called a single, when the batter stops at first base; a double, when the batter safely reaches second base; a triple, when he reaches third base; and a home run (or homer) , when makes a complete circuit of the bases and touches home plate. the great majority of home runs occur when the ball is hit on the fly (in the air without touching the ground) over an outfield the barrier the batter is usually required to stop at second base (a "ground rules" double).
A batter may also reach base safely on an error. An error occurs when, in the opinion of the official scorer, a fielder mishandles the ball.

Bunts. In some situations the batter, instead of swinging at the ball, may try to bunt-that is to make contact with and tap the ball onto the infield. If the batter is retired while a runner advances, the play is called a sacrifice. Some fleet-footed batters try to bunt for a base hit, especially when the infielders are playing deep.
A batter may be awarded a sacrifice fly (and not charged with a time to bat) if his fly ball enables a runner to advance after the catch is made.

Putouts. The aim of the team in the field is to make three  putouts (or outs) and thus to retire the team at bat. The defensive players may make putouts in a number of ways; by catching a ball hit by the batter in either fair or foul territory before it touches the ground (called a fly ball or a fly); fielding a grounder (that is catching a ball bouncing on the ground in the fair territory) and relaying the ball to a defensive player at first base before  the batter reaches base , by tagging a runner between bases; or , in certain circumstances, when there is runner on base, by throwing  the ball to succeeding base  before the runner reaches it. This last called a force-out and is possible only when a runner on base, by throwing the ball to the succeeding base before the runner reaches it. This last is called a force-out and is possible only when a runner is forced to advance by one base to prevent a putouts from being made, as when the runner is on first base and the batter hits a grounder.
Three strikes also constitute an out, provided the catcher does not drop the third strike. In the event that a third strike is dropped, the out can be secured only if the batter is tagged before he can run to first base or the ball is thrown to first base before he can reach the bag.
Outs are also made: when a batter against whom there are two strikes bunts foul; when, with two or three runners on base and less than two outs, the batter hits an infield fly; when the batter attempts to hit a third strike and the ball touches him; when, in the umpire's judgement, a spectator's interference clearly prevents a fielder from catching a fly ball; or when a runner is hit by a batted ball.

Double and Triple Plays. It is often possible to retire two men on one play, as when, with a runner on the first base, the batter hits a grounder to the second baseman. The latter may step on out second base, "forcing" the runner (putting him out on a force play), and then relay the ball to the first baseman, who may touch first base, retiring the batter before he can reach the bag. This is called a double play and can reach the only if less than two men are out before the play begins. Another type of double play may result when for instance, an  infielder catches a hard-hit ball (a line drive) before it touches the ground, automatically retiring the batter, and steps on the base behind a runner, "doubling off" the runner. This possibility arises from a rule which forbids a runner to advance to the next base before a fly ball is caught and which therefore makes it mandatory for him to "tag up," that is, to touch his base after the catch is made. Since runners normally take a "lead" (move several steps toward the nest base before the pitch is thrown) in order to take full advantage of a hit, or to be in a position to steal, or to protect themselves against a force play, they are occasionally unable to return to their base and are doubled off.
Triple plays, or three outs on one play, are rare, but, through a various combinations of the circumstances describe above, they cad and do occur. A triple plays is possible only when there are no outs and two or more runners are on base.

Strategy. The strategy followed by each team during the course of a game is determined by manager, aided by the coaches. The manager decides which players are to play, when substitutions are to be made, where the players should play, how batters should swing or not swing at a particular pitch. The catcher is expected to know the weaknesses of opposition hitters and, before each pitch, to "call" for a certain kind of pitch by means of a hidden signal to the pitcher, and the pitcher is permitted to request a different call from the catcher by shaking his head negatively, but both men often operate under strict instructions from the manager.
When there is a runner on second or third base and first base is unoccupied, the manager may order his pitcher to deliver an intentional base on balls to a dangerous hitter to set up possibility of a double play, or in order to have a pitcher face a weaker hitter; such a decision may often hinge on a consideration of the right-handed pitcher's slight advantage over right-handed batter as against a left handed-batter, fact borne out by voluminous statistics.
Much of baseball's strategy has to do with the running game, that is, the tactics resorted to by men on base in their efforts to advance and score. The team at bat stations coaches in foul territory behind first and third bases to coach  the runners. The third base coach has the responsibility of deciding whether a runner speeding toward third base can reasonably be expected to score before the ball is relayed to home plate, and he must signal the runner accordingly.
The stolen base is an important part of the running game. A runner is permitted to attempt to steal a base, that is, advance to the next base while the pitcher is in the process of delivering a pitch to the batter. (If the batter hits a foul  ball, the runner is not allowed to advance, and if he hits a fly or line drive which is caught in either foul or fair territory, the runner must tag up, as described in the section above.) Chances of success in the base-stealing maneuver depend on several variables,including among others, the element of surprise, the runner's speed, and the catcher's ability to throw accurately to the fielder who moves over to defend the base  (and who, in order to retire the runner, must actually tag him with a ball before he reaches the bag). The manager often reserves to himself the decision as to whether the steal is involved that is, when two runners simultaneously attempt to advance by means of stolen bases). The hit-and-run play is almost invariably undertaken only on the manager's initiative and requires prearrangement with the batter  and the runner, who are usually informed that they are to attempt the play, by means of secret signals relayed to them by one of the coaches. In the typical hit-and-run play, a runner at first base begins to steal as the ball is pitched, drawing the second baseman toward second base to defend against the steal. The batter, knowing that this will happen, attempts to hit the ball through the wide gap created in the right side of the infield when the second baseman leaves his normal fielding position. The success of the play usually results in advancing the runner to third base and putting another runner on first base.
 The art of moving runners around the bases by means of the stolen base, the sacrifice bunt  and the hit-and-run play has been called "inside baseball." Such great teams as the Baltimore Orioles (1894-1896) and the Chicago Cubs (1906-1910) were most adept exponents of inside baseball, and John McGraw who managed the New York Giants from 1902's, inside baseball has largely given way to what has been facetiously termed "outside baseball." While there were 358 home runs hit in the major leagues in 1910, 3,644 were hit in  1977. This development has been variously ascribed to a livelier" ball, to changes in the design of the bat, or to the increasing average size and strength of ballplayers, but whatever the reason, most managers today prefer to play for a block of runs from a home run, rather than for a single run. Many successful teams today combine running speed with power hitting to maximize scoring opportunities at all times.



Monday, October 28, 2013

Real Baseball heroes: Ichiro Suzuki

Ichiro Suzuki usually known simply as Ichiro (born October 22, 1973), is a Japanese-born professional baseball outfielder who currently plays for the New York Yankees. Originally a player in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), Ichiro moved to the United States in 2001 to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, with whom he spent 11 seasons. Ichiro has established a number of batting records, including MLB's single-season record for hits with 262. He had 10 consecutive 200-hit seasons, the longest streak by any player, surpassing Wee Willie Keeler's streak of eight. Between his career hits in Japan's and America's major leagues, Ichiro stands at third place all-time in top-flight hits, trailing only Pete Rose and Ty Cobb. Before playing in the MLB, Ichiro played nine years for the Orix Blue Wave in Japan's Pacific League. Posted by Orix after the 2000 season, Ichiro became Seattle's right fielder. The first Japanese-born position player to be signed to the major leagues, Ichiro led the American League (AL) in batting average and stolen bases en route to being named AL Rookie of the Year and AL Most Valuable Player (MVP). Ichiro is the first MLB player to enter the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame (The Golden Players Club). He is a ten-time All-Star and won the 2007 All-Star Game MVP Award for a three-hit performance that included the event's first-ever inside-the-park home run. Ichiro won a Gold Glove Award in each of his first ten years in the major leagues, and has had seven hitting streaks of 20 or more games, with a high of 27.

NPB statistics

Batting average    .353
Home runs              204
Runs batted in              529
Hits                      1,278
Runs                      658
Stolen bases              199

MLB statistics

(through 2013 season)
Batting average    .319
Home runs              111
Runs batted in              695
Hits                      2,742
Runs                      1,261
Stolen bases              472


Career highlights and awards

NPB

7× NPB All-Star (1994–2000)
3× PL MVP (1994–1996)
7× Golden Glove Award (1994–2000)
7× Best Nine Award (1994–2000)
3× Matsutaro Shoriki Award (1994–1995, 2004)
3× Japan Professional Sports Grand Prize (1994–1995, 2001)
7× PL Batting Champion (1994–2000)
5× PL Safe Hit Champion (1994–1998)
5× PL On-base Champion (1994–1996, 1999–2000)
1995 PL Stolen Base Champion
1995 PL RBI Champion
Japan Series Champion (1996)

MLB

10× All-Star (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)
10× Gold Glove Award (2001–2010)
3× Silver Slugger Award (2001, 2007, 2009)
2× AL batting champion (2001, 2004)
AL MVP (2001)
AL Rookie of the Year (2001)
AL stolen base leader (2001)
Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award (2005)
MLB All-Star Game MVP (2007)

MLB Records

262 hits, single season
225 singles, single season

Baseball Achievements

4,000 hits combined in NPB and MLB


*from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichiro_Suzuki

Friday, October 25, 2013

The history of baseball: The National and American League



The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, which took in most of the National Association teams, but which sought to rid baseball of gambling, drunkenness, and rowdyism. Its constitution provided that a club forfeit its franchise if it sold alcoholic beverages or played Sunday baseball. The National League began with eight charter members: Boston, Philadelphia, New York, Hartford, Chicago, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Louisville.
By 1882, when the American Association became a rival to the National League, there had been some shifts in membership. The two leagues drew up a national agreement, a loose pact covering player and territory rights and relations with minor leagues. Following player disputes in 1891, four clubs then in the American  Association- St. Louis, Louisville, Baltimore and Washington- merge with National League in 1892, to form a new 12-club league called the National League and Association. It was St. Louis' third appearance in the league;  the Missouri city was represented in 1876-1877 and 1885-1886. In the 19th century, National League franchise also were held, at various times, by clubs in providence; Indianapolis; Milwaukee; Buffalo; Troy, N.Y.; Syracuse; Cleveland; Worcester, Mass.; Kansas City; Mo,; Pittsburgh; and Brooklyn.
The 12-club league lasted from 1892 until 1899, when it was reduced to eight teams by dropping Cleveland, Baltimore, Washington, and Louisville. The National League then unquestionably ran the baseball world.

The American League. The reduction by the National League gave Byron Bancroft Johnson, president of the Western League, the opportunity to establish a second major League, the opportunity to establish a second major league, the American League. The move to put second clubs in Philadelphia and Boston and to take up vacated territory in Baltimore and Washington set off a bitter baseball was in 1901-1902, in which the American League raided the National League for many of its top stars. It began in 1901 with clubs in the four eastern cities listed above and with western clubs in Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, and Milwaukee. In 1902 the Milwaukee club was shifted to St. Louis, and in 1903 the Baltimore club was moved to New York.
The American League emerged victorious in the struggle. When a pact was drawn up in Cincinnati in January 1903, the two leagues established the National Commission made up of the league presidents and headed by a chairman.
The establishment of the American League and the rivalry between the two leagues were to increase popular interest in the game greatly and to give it its most famous and distinctive annual event, The climactic World Series.


Teams now:

American League

Baltimore Orioles
Boston Red Sox
Chicago White Sox
Cleveland Indians
Detroit Tigers
Kansas City Royals
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Minnesota Twins
New York Yankees
Oakland A's
Seattle Mariners
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Texas Rangers
Toronto Blue Jays

National League

Arizona Diamondbacks
Atlanta Braves
Chicago Cubs
Cincinnati Reds
Colorado Rockies
Florida Marlins
Houston Astros
Los Angeles Dodgers
Milwaukee Brewers
New York Mets
Philadelphia Phillies
Pittsburgh Pirates
San Diego Padres
San Francisco Giants
St. Louis Cardinals
Washington Nationals

*from Encylopedia Americana

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Guess the Pitch Quiz

Name the Pitch

1.__________ is a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball causing it to dive in a downward path as it approaches the plate. Its close relatives are the slider and the slurve.
    Slider
    Curveball
    4-seam Fastball
    Knuckleball
2.__________ is a pitch in baseball and a variant of the straight fastball. The pitch has the speed of a fastball, but the general movement of a screwball. Its close relative is the sinker.
    2-seam Fastball
    Curveball
    Knuckleball
    Slider
3.__________ effective for its unpredictable path, is gripped across the seams with knuckles or fingertips. Ball is thrown with stiff wrist, no snap or spin.
    2-seam Fastball
    Curveball
    Knuckleball
    Slider
4.__________ is held as for fast ball or curve and thrown with the same motion, minus the arm twist. first two fingers are raised on release to make the ball "float" not spin.
    4-seam Fastball
    Curveball
    Change of Pace(Slowball)
    Slider
5.__________ (also known as a yakker or a snapper) is a pitch that breaks laterally and down, with a speed between that of a curveball and that of a fastball. The break on the pitch is shorter than that of a curveball. The release technique of a slider is between a curveball and a fastball. The slider is similar to the cutter, a pitch which is thrown as a fastball, but differs in the sense that a slider tends to be more of a breaking ball.
    2-seam Fastball
    Curveball
    Change of Pace
    Slider
6.__________ Thrown hard while held between the index and middle fingers at varying depths. Usually tumbles and drops violently, often diagonally. Known as an out pitch, but also can be hard on the arm.
    Forkball
    Sinker
    Cutter
    Slurve
7.___________ Maximum velocity and should have best command. This is the most important pitch because everything else works off of it.
    2-seam Fastball
    Cutter
    4-seam Fastball
    Forkball
8.__________ is a baseball pitch in which the pitcher throws a slider as if it were a curve ball.[1] The term is a portmanteau of the words "slider" and "curve".
    Curveball
    Slurveball
    Slider
    Forkball
9._________ is a type of baseball pitch used primarily by players in Japan. It is thrown with a spiral-like spin, so that there is no Magnus force on the ball as it arrives at home plate.
    Gyroball
    Spitball
    Slurveball
    Knuckleball
10._________ is a type of changeup. It requires placing the baseball tightly in the palm or held between the thumb and ring finger and then throwing it as if throwing a fastball. This takes some of the velocity off the pitch, intending to make the batter swing before the ball reaches the plate.
    Gyroball
    Knuckleball
    Spitball
    Palmball

Score =

Correct answers:

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

The history of baseball

Abner Doubleday
Origin and Early History. Legend holds that baseball was invented in Cooperstown, N.Y., in 1839 by Abner Doubleday. On Dec. 30, 1907, a special committee, consisting of prominent baseball executives and including two United States senators, confirmed Cooperstown as the game's birthplace and Doubleday its originator.
But baseball historians today place little credence in the Cooperstown-Doubleday Story, and feel that the Special Baseball Commission of 1906-1907 did an incompetent job. Various investigators have shown that the term "baseball" was used approximately a century before 1839. For example, a description of a game called "base-ball" appeared in the Little Pretty Pocket Book, a popular children's book published in 1744. A game similar to the one supposedly invented by Doubleday was described in the Boy's Own Book by William Clarke, a volume published in London in 1829, and The Book of Sports, written by Robin Carver and published in Boston in 1834.

Henry Chadwick
During the contoversy over the origin of baseball in the early 1900's, Henry Chadwick maintained that American baseball was merely a glorified version of the British game of rounders, which was, in turn, an offshoot of cricket. Today Chadwick's thesis is generally accepted by students of baseball. Though baseball grew up in the United States and has many American embellishments, it unquestionably is an adaptation of a game that had been played for centuries, in Which a batsman hit a thrown ball and ran around one or more bases, which might be rocks, stakes, posts, inverted milking stools, or canvas bags. The game of rounders was brought to the United States from England in the 18th century. It was nit standardized, having many variations and names. It was called round ball, goal ball, post ball, town ball and baseball. Fields could be any size, and there was no set number of bases in addition to home base.

Alexander J. Cartwright
The American now given credit for playing the largest part in the evolution of modern baseball is Alexander J. Cartwright, who in 1845 drew up a set of rules having much in common with the present-day game. He drew a diagram of a ball field with 90-foot base lines and had the batter stand at home plate instead of in a separate batters box some distance from the plate. His rules prohibited the retirement of a runner by "plugging"-hitting him with a thrown ball when off base. The rules nevertheless differed in many  respects from those of modern baseball. For example, balls caught on a first bounce constituted an out ; pitchers were restricted to throwing the ball underhanded; run were called aces; and the first team to score 21 aces won.
Cartwright was a member of the New York Knickerbockers Base Ball Club, and his rules were primarily for the use of this club. But other clubs in New York and elsewhere quickly adopted them. It is evident that other teams were playing a good brand of ball, for in the first baseball game in record, played in Elysian Fields, Hoboken, N.J., on June 19, 1846, a team called the New York's, playing under Cartwright's rules on a diamond of his specifications, defeated the Knickerbockers (23 to 1 in four innings).

Alfred J. Reach
Early baseball was played by young men of means and social position. (Much the same was true, at the time, of cricket in England). However, baseball had a general appeal and, in the 1850's, artisans and challenged the socialites. The first convention of baseball clubs was held in New York in May 1857, to straighten out differences between what had become known as the New York game and the Massachusetts game, and, on March 10, 1858, the National Association of Baseball Players was organized. These meetings changed the scoring unit from aces to runs, and gave victory to the team ahead after nine innings. The game was still basically amateur, although at times money sometimes was passed under the table to induce strong-playing "amateurs" to join certain clubs. In 1864, Alfred J. Reach became the first avowed professional.

Harry Wright
During the Civil War, baseball was played extensively behind the lines. Many boys from farms, factories, and
counting houses, who received their first introduction to the game, were later to carry it back to their communities. After the war the game spread like wildfire. In 1869 the Red Stockings of Cincinnati, Ohio became the first all-professional team. The club, organized by  Harry Wright, had an annual payroll of about $9,300. The team played the entire 1869 season without defeat (56 victories and 1 tie) and stretched its winning streak to 79 in 1870 before losing to the Brooklyn Atlantics.
The first professional baseball league, the National Association of Professional Base-Ball Players, was formed on March 4, 1871, and lasted five seasons, the Boston club winning the championship four times. It became a rowdy league. There was open gambling on games, liquor selling in parks, bribery, and other chicanery.



Monday, October 21, 2013

Equipment and Uniforms

All Players on a team wear uniforms identical in color trim, and style. The uniform usually consist of knee stockpins, knickers, and a half-sleeved shirt, under which a long-sleeved jersey is worn. The shirt usually displays the name of the team and number, or a number plus a last name, to identify the players. A visored cap, often with team initials, completes the uniform. Players wear oxford-styler shoes with spiked soles. The regulation baseball is a sphere formed by winding yarn around a core of cork and rubber; its cover consists of two stripes of tightly stitched white cowhide (formerly horsehide). The ball must weigh not less than 5 or more than 51/4 ounces and measure not less than 9 or more than 91/4 inches in circumference. The bat, a smooth, round stick generally made of ash, can be no point than 23/4 inches in diameter at its thickest point and no more than 42 inches in length. Each of the infielders (except the first baseman), each outfielder, and the pitcher wear on one hand a flexible leather finger gloves with some padding. the catcher uses a heavily padded glove with a cleft between the thumb and index finger and wears a chest protector, shin guards, and a wire mast to protect his face. The first basemen uses a glove smaller and more flexible than the catcher's. At bat, the player usually wears a plastic helmet as a skull protector.


Bat
A rounded, solid wooden or hollow aluminum bat. Wooden bats are traditionally made from ash wood, though maple and bamboo is also sometimes used. Aluminum bats are not permitted in professional leagues, but are frequently used in amateur leagues. Composite bats are also available, essentially wooden bats with a metal rod inside. Bamboo bats are also becoming popular.














Ball 
A cork sphere, tightly wound with layers of yarn or string and covered with a stitched leather coat.














Base 
One of four corners of the infield which must be touched by a runner in order to score a run; more specifically, they are canvas bags (at first, second, and third base) and a rubber plate (at home).















Glove 
Leather gloves worn by players in the field. Long fingers and a webbed "pocket" between the thumb and first finger allows the fielder to catch the ball more easily.










Catcher's mitt 
Leather mitt are worn by catchers. It is much wider than a normal fielder's glove and the four fingers are connected. The mitt is also better-padded than the standard fielder's glove.













First baseman's mitt 
Leather mitt worn by first basemen. It is longer and wider than a standard fielder's glove. The four fingers are connected and the glove is rounded like a catcher's mitt. A first baseman's mitt has a bit more padding than a standard fielder's glove











Batting gloves
Gloves often worn on one or both hands by the batter. They offer additional grip and eliminate some of the shock when making contact with the ball.














Batting helmet 
Helmet worn by batter to protect the head and the ear facing the pitcher from the ball. Professional models have only one ear protector (left ear for right-handed batters, right ear for lefties), amateur and junior helmets usually have ear protectors on both sides, for better protection from loose balls, and to reduce costs to teams (all players can use the same style of helmet).















Baseball cap 
Hat worn by all players. Designed to shade the eyes from the sun, this hat design has become popular with the general public.



Catcher's helmet 
Protective helmet with face mask worn by the catcher. Newer styles feature a fully integrated helmet and mask, similar to a hockey goalie mask. More traditional versions were a separate mask worn over a helmet similar to a batting helmet, but with no ear protection and worn backwards.















Uniform 
Shirt and pants worn by all players, coaches and managers. Each team generally has a unique pattern of colors and designs. Traditionally, the home team's uniform is predominantly white with the team's nickname, and the visiting team's is predominantly gray with (usually, but not always) the team's city. Teams often have white, gray and colored jerseys; colored jerseys can be worn at home or on the road, depending on the team's preference.















Sliding shorts 
Padded support shorts sometimes worn to protect the thighs when the player slides into the bases. Some sliding shorts contain a pocket for a cup. This is so the player does not have to wear a jockstrap and sliding shorts.















Sunglasses 
Worn to shade the sun from the eyes.










Baseball Cleats 
Baseball specific shoes worn by the player for better traction. The cleats themselves are either rubber or metal.















Baseball Doughnut 
A weighted ring that fits over the end of a baseball bat, used for warming up during a baseball game. A doughnut can help increase bat speed.



Monday, October 7, 2013

Rookie level Fun Quiz

Rookie Level Quiz

1. How many Teams are in Baseball Heroes?
    25 Teams
    30 Teams
    31 Teams
    29 Teams
2. What does RBI stands for?
    Running Batter In
    Run Bunts In
    Runs Batted In
    Non of the above
3. What is the name of Team Owner?
    Michael
    Robert
    James
    Lawrence
4. To advance to Singe A League how many Season you to complete?
    1 Season
    2 Seasons
    3 Seasons
    4 Seasons
5. How many Match will Manager Smith will Guide you?
    10 Matches
    5 Matches
    30 Matches
    1 Matches
6. How Much is the Class C pack?
    1000 coins
    5000 coins
    2500 coins
    6000 coins
7. How many energy do you need to play a single match?
    3 energy
    1 energy
    5 energy
    2 energy
8. How many Teams are able to advance to post season?
    4 Teams
    10 Teams
    2 Teams
    6 Teams
9. What is the name of your Running Trainer?
    Michael
    James
    Smith
    Lawrence
10. What does HR stands for?
    Hard Run
    High Run
    Hit Run
    Home Run
Score =

Correct answers:

In Game Help Guide

Home Screen

1. Free Gift ButtonSend free gifts to your friends!
2. Invite Friends ButtonInvite more friends to play Baseball Heroes with you.
3. Message Center ButtonShows messages from friends.
4. Language ButtonYou can choose a different language from the drop-down menu.
5. Current LeagueClick the icon to see your progress!
6. Current Level
7. Energy Bar
8. World Champion Trophy
9. Mission IconsComplete given missions to level up faster!
10. PLAY BALL! ButtonInitiates the process of starting a ball game.
11. Ticket SalesCan be collected every 6 hours
Tip: You can increase the Sales by buying new stadium-related items in the build shop.
12. Skill Points NotificationThis icon only appears when you have Skill Points you haven’t spent yet.
13. Trainer IconOpens Training Room Window and shows when the Trainer will be back if he/she is currently off-duty.
14. Current Season Schedule
15. Your Rank in Current Season
16. Menu Buttons

 Friend Navigation Bar


1. One friend to the left
2. One full page to the left
3. All the way to the left
4. Friend’s Team
5. Energy IndicatorIf you haven’t visited your friend to receive +1 energy, this indicator will show up on your friend’s profile picture.
Energy can be collected once a day from your 'Baseball Heroes'friends. (Max. 10 / Day)
6. SCOUT FRIENDS ButtonYou can use this button to invite more friends to play Baseball Heroes with you.
7. Friend’s Stats
8. Send GiftYou can send gifts to selected friends.
9. VISITYou can visit your friends.


 Season

One full season consists of two sub-seasons.
Regular SeasonRegular Season consists of 30 matches.
TOP 4 ranked teams at the end of the season will advance to the Postseason.

PostseasonPostseason consists of 3 series:
League Championship Semi-Finals: Must win 3 out of 5 games
League Championship Finals: Must win 3 out of 5 games
World Championship Finals: Must win 4 out of 7 games

Tip: You will be able to have a stronger season by signing your friends
into an empty Batter slot or purchasing Special Batter Cards in the in-game 'Shop'.
Make sure to take advantage of your Special Batters' skills before you adjust your batting order

Batter Mode
1. Combo Gauge
Each base hit will accumulate combo points in the gauge.
When it’s full, you will have a chance to hit an automatic home run.
If you strike out, you will lose your accumulated combo points.

2. Your Character Skill Point Distribution
 

3. Your Current Season Stats
 

4. Your Season Goal Progress



Control Tip: You can use  or  to swing your bat.

 Skill Points


Skill Points influence your batting ability.

Contact Better contact on the ball means you have higher chance of getting on base. It Also increases your chances of achieving “Contact Hits”. Invest your SP in Contact if you want to become a Contact Hitter. “Contact Hit” = 100% chance of base hit

Power More power in your swing means you can hit the ball further. It also increases the chance of achieving “Power Hit”. Definitely invest your SP in Power if you want to become a Slugger. “Power Hit” = 100% chance of two base hit or better.

Luck More luck you have will result in receiving 5 times the normal reward for each HIT. It also increases the chance of achieving “Lucky Hit” Invest your SP in Luck for frequent Combo Gauge Home Runs. “Lucky Hit” = You will receive 5 times the normal combo points, coins, and XP.




How can I earn or increase my Skill Points?

    1. Training – Every mastery level you clear, you will receive Skill Points as your reward.
    2. Leveling – Every time you level up, you will receive certain amount of Skill Points.
    3. Gears – Each Gear has Skill Points embedded in it. Pick and buy the ones that fit your needs.

Tip: Unlike Regular Batters, Special Batters receive additional combo points.

Batter Cards

There are two different types of Batter Cards.

Regular BatterRegular Batter Cards are just dummy batters until you scout friends and register them in each card.
Why do you need to do this?
Because each regular batter’s batting average will be affected greatly by your friend’s batting average.
Having a friend scouted as a Regular Batter will make a huge difference!

                                                                
Special Batter Card (Special Ability)
Special Batter Cards are batters with special abilities and high batting averages.
The ability consists of three factors: Inning, Percentage, Hit Type
For example, let’s say your special batter’s ability is “3rd, 50%, 1B”.
That means if he is at-bat during the 3rd inning, he will have 50% of hitting a One Base Hit.
Pretty cool, right? Try placing them in different positions in the batting order!

Tip: There are cards among Special Batter Cards with higher percentage in its ability
and higher batting average. You can purchase card packs or trade your cards
for higher tier batter cards.

Special Batter Card (Classes & Grades)→ There are 4 different Classes of Special Batter Cards.
→ Each Class contains 4 different Grades.
→ 4 Classes are S, A, B, and C. S is the highest Class.
→ 4 Grades are Hero, Elite, Rare, and Normal. Hero is the highest Grade.

 Special Batter Card (Enhancement)→ Elite and Hero Cards can be enhanced.
→ Elite Card can be enhanced up to +3 Enh level.
→ Hero Card can be enhanced up to +5 Enh level.
→ Each Enhancement Level increases the batting avg. by +0.010.
→ A fully enhanced Hero Card will receive additional Bonus Combo Points.






There are two possible outcomes.
- One Random Grade Batter Card (Same Class) → DARN!
- One Random Grade Batter Card (Upper Class) → HoORAY!


 

TrainingTraining is probably one of the best ways to receive Skill Points and level up.

How to Start Training

    1. Click on the Trainer Icon at the Home Screen.
    2. Click on the available Trainer.
    3. Choose a training drill to begin.

*Tip: Don't forget to check your missions before starting your training session.
Then, utilize different types of training drills to meet your needs.



Ranking

There are two types of Ranking Tables.
Season BestThis table shows the ranking of current season stats among all friends.
TotalThis table shows the ranking of career stats among all friends.

Frequently Asked Quesitons
Where can I obtain more energy?There are couple of ways to obtain additional energy.
- Easiest way is to visit friends once a day. When you visit friends’ stadiums, you will be able to find one energy drink next to your
friend’s character.
- As you complete missions throughout the game, some missions will reward you with energy upon completion.
- You can visit the shop and purchase more energy by spending Facebook Credits.

What is the best way to make my team stronger?- This is when regular batters and special batters come in to play. Assigning your friend into an empty slot will strengthen your
team greatly since their play availability is not limited by the energy whereas special batter cards are. Try to increase your team’s batting
average and it will help you gain combo points for the COMBO gauge which will help you score easier.

What are the benefits of obtaining more Special Batter Cards?Here are the benefits,
- Special Batters have a higher batting average which means, they have higher chance of getting on base.
- They have special abilities which will trigger in random sequences. customize your line up
strategically to maximize your in-game performance.

What is ticket sales?Ticket Sales is the main recurring income which can help you earn coins. It can be increased by renovating your stadium with better
fences, stands, lights, etc. Always keep in mind that, your fans will only be willing to pay more for tickets only if they think it’s worth it. Deck out your stadium
and reap the rewards!

*from baseball heroes help button

Baseball Fact: Barry Bonds Single Season Home Run Record

Barry Lamar Bonds or Simply Barry Bonds holds the record
of most Home Run in a single season with his 73 HR in year 2001.
Barry Bonds is a former Major League Baseball (MLB) player Left fielder for most of his 22 career Seasons from 1986 to 2007. Barry Bonds was drafted by pittsburg pirates in the first round(6th pick) on the 1985 amateur draft, played seven years(1986-1992) then sign a free agent contract with the San Francisco giants and played their for 15 years
(1993-2007)before retiring.

Barry Bonds 2001 Statistics
 Batting Average. 328
 RBI: 157
 Hits: 156

Career Statistics
 Batting Average. 289
 RBI: 1,996
 Hits: 2,935

Notable Records

     career home run (762)
     Home runs since turning 40 years old (74)
     HR against different pitcher (449)
     consecutive season with 30 or more home run (13) 1992-2004
     Walks in a single season (232), 2004
     Slugging percentage in a single season (.863), 2001
     Intentional walks in a single season (120), 2004
     7 MVP awards

Warning from ManagerSmith


Read Me! Hacks and Scams

Post by ManagerSmith » August 7th, 2012, 2:20 am
Dear all BH users,

This is an important message regarding the hacks and scams posted on Facebook.

Hacking Tools
These tools may look like it can hack stats, coins, etc. in our game.
However, in reality, none of these tools succeed in doing so.
We highly recommend all users not to try using these tools due to the following reason.
--- It may corrupt your game data which will result in not being able to play the game at all. ---
FYI,

1. We WILL NOT try to recover the data corrupted by these hacking tools.
2. We WILL NOT refund any FB Credits regarding this data loss

Scams

There are tremendous amount of scams posted on Facebook every day.
These scam sites will try to grab account/financial information.
For example, it will ask for your to log into Facebook again. Unless you didn't close the internet browser, Facebook WILL NEVER ask you to log back in again. If you input your account information and log in again, this will cause your account information to be in the hands of the scammers.
Another example, it will ask for you to enter credit card information through a familiar brand website. Most of these are fake websites to steal your credit card information for the scammers to execute financial fraud.

Friday, October 4, 2013

BH Player Profile: Cep & Shubho

BH Name: Cep Level: 100 Team: Cleveland Fire Ball
Season Best Career Total Skill Points
Average: .720
HR: 98 HR: 2534 Contact: 20
RBI: 255 RBI: 7077 Power: 150
Hit 192 Hit 7003 Luck: 257

League: Major League On game Special Batters: 3
Word Championship: 14 Total batters: 42
League Championship 23
Best Score: 1,211,334




BH Name: Shubho Level: 100 Team: Seattle HITTERS
Season Best Career Total Skill Points
Average: .779
HR: 114 HR: 2415 Contact: 154
RBI: 308 RBI: 6541 Power: 240
Hit 240 Hit 7593 Luck: 610

League: Major League On game Special Batters: 3
Word Championship: 19 Total batters: 110
League Championship 22
Best Score: 1,396,830
*As of October 4, 2013

Sunday, September 29, 2013

BH Player Profile: Kosoen'k

BH Name: Kosoen'k Level: 111 Team: Pittsburg THE GUNNERS
Season Best Career Total Skill Points
Average: .850
HR: 248 HR: 6151 Contact: 100
RBI: 484 RBI: 12956 Power: 355
Hit 248 Hit 9159 Luck: 71

League: Major League On game Special Batters: 3
Word Championship: 22 Total batters: 45
League Championship 22
Best Score: 1,835,848


*As of September 27, 2013

Saturday, September 28, 2013

BH Player Profile: Njendot

BH Name: Njendot Level: 112 Team: Cleveland ELFRUSTASY
Season Best Career Total Skill Points
Average: .902
HR: 252 HR: 7701 Contact: 97
RBI: 538 RBI: 15776 Power: 425
Hit 252 Hit 9272 Luck: 231

League: Major League On game Special Batters: 3
Word Championship: 35 Total batters: 49
League Championship 42
Best Score: 1,976,421


*As of September 27, 2013

Friday, September 27, 2013

BH Player Profile: Fabian

BH Name: Fabian Level: 146 Team: Colorado TEAM CHECKER
Season Best Career Total Skill Points
Average: .731
HR: 97 HR: 6160 Contact: 86
RBI: 278 RBI: 17231 Power: 185
Hit 205 Hit 15806 Luck: 369

League: Major League On game Special Batters: 3
Word Championship: 45 Total batters: 135
League Championship 46
Best Score: 1,595,531

*As of September 27, 2013

BH Player Profile: Jamin

BH Name: Jamin                Level:101              Team: Cleveland JAMINS TEAM     

Season Best                          Career Total                   Skill Point

HR: 150                                   Average: .720                  Contact:142
RBI: 376                                   HR: 2631                       Power:700
Hit: 209                                    RBI: 6960                       Luck:340
                                                Hit: 6507                           Total:1182

League: Major League
                                                            Special Batters Slot: 5    
World Championship: 22                         Batters: 55
League Championship: 25

Best Score: 1,679,691                

*As of September 27, 2013

Thursday, September 26, 2013

BH Player profile: Arya


BH Name: Arya                Level:45              Team: Oakland SABLENG 212     

Season Best                          Career Total                   Skill Point

HR: 198                                   Average: .931                  Contact: 56
RBI: 365                                   HR: 1873                       Power: 56
Hit: 198                                    RBI: 3418                       Luck: 285
                                                Hit: 2068                           Total: 397

League: Double A League
                                                            Special Batters Slot: 3    
World Championship: 10                          Batters: 51
League Championship: 10

Best Score: 1,290,994                

*As of September 26, 2013
 

Contributors