Girl, take me out to the ball game!

Hey girl! Going to a baseball game is a sporting event like no other! There are so many thrills to being at the ballpark. From the smell of freshly cooked hotdogs, to the roar of the crowd, the 7th inning stretch, and much more, you are sure to have an unforgettable day!

What are the rules of baseball?

But before you arrive at the ballpark, let's get you caught up with the basics. The objective is to be the team that scores the most runs by the end of the game. The game is divided into 9 innings in which each team will alternate between being on offense and defense. The team on offense is "at bat" (hitting the ball) and the team on defense is "fielding the ball" (trying to get the opposing team out). The home team will start each inning on defense (where they pitch the ball to the opposing team first). Each team gets 3 outs (chances) while they are on offense to score a run (make it around the bases to home plate).

A strike is called when the batter (the player hitting the ball) misses the ball that is thrown. If the player gets 3 strikes, they are out. The pitcher (the player throwing the ball) will need to pitch in a certain zone (called the strike zone) otherwise the umpire will call a "ball". If a player gets 4 balls, they are allowed to walk to first base.

Players will be tagged out if the ball is caught when they hit it, they strike out, they are tagged by an opposing player that has the ball, or they don't make it to the base before the opposing team gets the ball there.

The players on the field will all have a different position and are responsible for managing the ball if it comes in their area.

It may sound a little complicated, but you have 9 innings to figure it all out! And if you're feeling a little confused, don't hesitate to ask the people around you to clarify some of the rules. Baseball fans love to talk about baseball!

Baseball's famous tradition: The 7th inning stretch

Now that you know a little more about what is going on in the game, you can start to get excited for what's to come! One of baseball's most famous traditions is the "7th Inning Stretch". While the exact origin of the tradition remains unclear, what is clear is that the 7th inning stretch is an exciting opportunity for fans to get out of their seats, "stretch" their legs (aka dance around a little!), and sing "Take Me out to the Ballgame".

Explore the Ballpark

Girl, a baseball game can be long, and despite the 7th inning stretch, you may want to get out of your seat and experience the ballpark from other angles. Great idea! Today's ballparks have been designed with social areas scattered about the venue so that fans can mingle with each other, enjoy the game from a different view, and enjoy everything the baseball atmosphere has to offer. Consider researching the ballpark you are going to beforehand so that you know where to find all the fun spots!

Cool Ballparks to Visit

Once you've had a chance to visit the ballpark in your city, you may decide you want to travel to see some other ballparks. Very fun idea! Some ballparks are rooted in tradition and history and others are designed for the fan experience. Here are some special ballparks to put on your sports travel bucket list:

Fenway Park: Located in the heart of Boston, Fenway Park is rooted in over 100 year old history and tradition and much of the ballpark remains the same to this day! Fenway is a must see for any baseball fan.

Wrigley Field: Similar to Fenway, Wrigley Field is a baseball lover's dream. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the windy city (Chicago), while visiting this historic ballpark.

Oracle Park: Nestled alongside San Francisco Bay, fans get to watch home runs splash out into the bay. A unique experience for any baseball fan!

Yankee Stadium: No visit to New York City is complete without a visit to the home of the New York Yankees.

Well girl, now that you're prepared to attend a baseball game, I am sure this experience will be a homerun ;) Enjoy the game!