The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Columbia Encyclopedia World Factbook Columbia Gazetteer American Heritage Coll. Additionally, the batter, catcher, and home-plate umpire wear special protective gear.
Teams alternate turns in the field and at bat, the home team batting last.
One turn at bat for each team constitutes an inning, and nine innings constitute a game. In the field there are a pitcher, a catcher, four infielders, and three outfielders. An opposing batter attempts to hit the pitches and safely reach base, while the fielders attempt to put the batter out through various plays. A run is scored every time a batter becomes a runner and crosses home plate after touching each base in the prescribed order. If the score is tied at the end of nine innings, play continues into extra innings until one team has scored more runs than the other in an equal number of turns at bat.