1. AMERICAN GAMES
BASEBALL
Sport with two opposing teams of nine players who attempt
to score points by hitting a ball with a bat and running from
one base to the next until they reach home plate; a game
lasts nine innings, during which teams alternate from
offense (at bat) to defense (in the field).
Field
Surface on which a baseball game is played; it is in the shape
of a quarter circle and is covered with dirt and natural or
synthetic grass.
Pitch
When the batter is in position, the pitcher throws the ball
toward home plate; the batter judges the pitch and decides
whether or not to try to hit it.
Batter
Player who takes position to hit the ball; the batter grasps
the handle of the bat.
Bat
Piece of wood that the batter uses to hit the ball; its
maximum length is 42 inches.
Baseball
Hard ball with a circumference of 9 inches; its outer layer is
made of two white pieces of leather sewn together.
Cross section of a baseball: A baseball has a cork core,
which is wrapped in layers of rubber, wound with yarn
and covered with leather.
Stitches. The sewing that joins the two parts of the
cover; it traditionally uses red thread.
Cover Outer layer of the ball made up of two white
pieces of leather joined by stitching.
Cork ball: Small sphere of cork that forms the central
part of the ball.
Yarn ball: Yarn wound around the center of the ball.
Fielder’s glove
Piece of leather covering the hand and wrist and varying
in size and shape, depending on the player’s position; it is
used to catch the ball.
Finger: Part of the glove that covers each of the
fingers.
Palm: Part of the glove that covers the hollow of
the hand.
Thumb: Part of the glove covering the thumb.
Strap: The intersecting leather straps that make up
the web.
Web: Part of the glove between the thumb and the
index finger; it forms a small pocket in which the
ball is caught.
Heel: The bottom part of the glove.
Lace: Narrow cord passed through the eyelets to
join or tighten the parts of the glove.
