Play, watch, and understand America's favorite pastime Baseball continues to be a popular game both as a spectator sport and as a pastime. Since the publication of Baseball For Dummies, 3rd Edition, baseball teams have changed, new MLB stadiums have been built, and rules have been updated. This updated 4th Edition brings you the latest information on the players, the places, and above all, the game. Baseball For Dummies is for baseball fans at all levels, from players and coaches to spectators who love the game. Baseball Hall of Fame player Joe Morgan explains baseball with remarkable insight, using down-to-earth language so everyone from the casual observer to the die-hard fan can gain a fuller appreciation of the sport. Improve your hitting, pitching, and fielding Find a baseball team to play on, from Little League on up Evaluate stats, players, and records Coach baseball or umpire effectively Get more out of a trip to the ballpark The latest on baseball stats and sabermetrics Complete with Morgan's personal lists of top-ten toughest pitchers, smartest players, and most strategic managers, Baseball For Dummies gives you all the inside tips, facts, and stats so you can have Major League fun!

Play, watch, and understand America's favorite pastimeBaseball continues to be a popular game both as a spectator sport and as a pastime. Since the publication of Baseball For Dummies, 3rd Edition, baseball teams have changed, new MLB stadiums have been built, and rules have been updated. This updated 4th Edition brings you the latest information on the players, the places, and above all, the game.Baseball For Dummies is for baseball fans at all levels, from players and coaches to spectators who love the game. Baseball Hall of Fame player Joe Morgan explains baseball with remarkable insight, using down-to-earth language so everyone from the casual observer to the die-hard fan can gain a fuller appreciation of the sport.* Improve your hitting, pitching, and fielding* Find a baseball team to play on, from Little League on up* Evaluate stats, players, and records* Coach baseball or umpire effectively* Get more out of a trip to the ballpark* The latest on baseball stats and sabermetricsComplete with Morgan's personal lists of top-ten toughest pitchers, smartest players, and most strategic managers, Baseball For Dummies gives you all the inside tips, facts, and stats so you can have Major League fun!

Introduction 1Part I: Getting Started with Baseball 5Chapter 1: The Lowdown on Baseball 7Chapter 2: Suiting Up: Equipment 15Chapter 3: Tackling the Rules of Baseball 31Part II: Taking Your Swings -- Playing Offense 43Chapter 4: Preparing to Swing the Lumber: Life in the Batter's Box 45Chapter 5: Hitting Like a Major Leaguer 61Chapter 6: The Science of Baserunning 83Part III: The Ball in Play -- Playing Defense 107Chapter 7: Knowing the Players and Plays 109Chapter 8: Winning the Arms' Race: Pitching Like a Major Leaguer 123Chapter 9: Behind the Plate: The Catcher 145Chapter 10: Playing Infield 159Chapter 11: Playing the Outfield: Where Fly Balls Go to Die 183Part IV: From Little League to the Major Leagues -- Organized Baseball 193Chapter 12: T-Ball to College Baseball and Everything in Between 195Chapter 13: The Majors, the Minors, and Other Leagues 205Chapter 14: The Rest of the Field: Managers and Coaches 223Chapter 15: Identifying the Rest of the Cast of Characters in the Ballpark 231Chapter 16: Measuring Performance: Calculating Baseball's Statistics 241Chapter 17: Going All the Way: MLB Postseason Play and the World Series 249Part V: The View from the Stands -- A Spectator's Guide 255Chapter 18: Following the Bouncing Baseball 257Chapter 19: Tackling Baseball's Steroid Controversy 281Chapter 20: Keeping Up Online, on the Air, and on the Newsstand 289Chapter 21: Playing Fantasy Baseball 301Part VI: The Part of Tens 311Chapter 22: Joe Morgan's Top Ten Toughest Pitchers He Batted Against 313Chapter 23: Joe Morgan's Ten Smartest Players 319Appendix: Baseball Speak: A Glossary 325Index 347