The Muscles You'll Work:

Running the bases uses all the major muscle groups in your body. Playing ball (hitting, catching, and throwing) can also help increase your concentration levels.

Want to Improve Your Baseball?

1. Hitting
   • Selecting your bat: When you pick a bat, use this quick test to check if it's too heavy. Hold the bat straight out in front of you with one hand on the knob for 25 to 30 seconds. If you can't hold it for that long, most likely the bat is too heavy.
   • Getting a grip: Make sure the grip feels comfortable in your hands.
   • Your stance: Line up so that your feet are shoulder width apart. Touch the far-side angle of the plate with the end of your bat to make sure you are at the proper distance.
2. Pitching How you hold the ball will affect both the speed and movement of the pitch you choose, whether it's a fastball, curveball, or change-up. Relax your hand when you hold the ball and apply pressure with your fingertips and thumb.
3. Bunting Bunting can be an important technique to use in a game and can come in several forms. Sacrifice, push, drag, or fake are all types of bunts you can use depending on the situation.
   • Sacrifice bunts: Use to advance the player on base to the next base.
   • Push bunt: Use as an offensive strategy when you have men on the first and third bases.
   • Drag and fake bunt: Use as an element of surprise to try to get a base hit.

What You Need to Get Started:

Baseball players use a leather glove in the field and a bat made of wood (professional), or aluminum (all other leagues). When you are batting, you will need a helmet for your head and gloves for your hands. If you are on a team, you will wear a uniform made up of a matching jersey, pants and a baseball hat.

Figuring Out Your Stats:

Batting average = hits / official number at bats [Official bats = plate appearances - walks - hit by pitch - sacrifices]

Slugging Percentage = total bases / (plate appearances - walks - hit by pitch - sacrifices) [Total Bases = singles + (2 * doubles) + (3 * triples) + (4 * home runs)]

ERA = (earned runs) / (innings pitched) * (number of innings in regulation game)