What Are the Rules to Team Hardball?

Object

• The object of team hardball is to earn the most runs during the game because the team with the most runs wins. Hardball is normally played with nine players on each team. There are extra players used as substitutes, however. The teams take turns batting and playing the field. The teams alternate after three outs are completed.

Outs

• During hardball, players try to avoid getting an out. An out occurs for several reasons. A batter gets an out if he strikes out, meaning he obtained three strikes during his time at bat. If the fielding team catches a fly ball, an out occurs. An out also occurs if a batter hits a ball and the fielders get the ball to the correct base before the batter reaches it. After three outs, the teams switch positions.

Batting and Fielding

• The team that is batting must bat in a scheduled order to ensure that a team doesn't allow the "best" batters to keep returning to the plate. This allows each player a chance to bat and avoids unfairness. There are nine positions for players who are on the fielding side. These are catcher, pitcher, first base, second base, short stop, third base, right field, center field and left field. Once players are in a position, they must stay there until the coach notifies officials that a change is being made.

Scoring

• Players in hardball try to score runs. In order to score a run, a batter stands at home plate and hits the ball. He then runs to first base, second base, third base and then back to home. The player does not have to run all of the bases in one turn. He may only get to first base on a hit. When the next player bats, that runner would then proceed to second base, and so on. Each time a player crosses home plate, without getting an out, that team scores a run.

Strikes, Balls and Walks

• During the game, a pitcher throws the ball to the catcher while the batter stands by home plate waiting to hit the ball. An umpire stands behind the catcher and judges each pitch. A pitch is either a strike or a ball. If a player gets three strikes, it is called a strike-out. If the pitcher throws four balls, it is called a walk, which allows the player to proceed to first base. If there already is a player on first base, this player moves to second base.