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[Leon]

Not the actual sport, but I want to follow the league/cups/whatever. If anyone can give me the lowdown on how EVERYTHING works, I'd appreciate it.

1) How many teams are there? Which are usually the best/worst? Best/worst players and what teams do they play in? I'm not looking to start arguments, it's just so that I can kinda know the big picture.

2) How long does the league last? How does it work? How many matches, who plays each other, etc...? Are there knockout phases, is it point-based or is it both?

3) Aside from the league, what competitions are there? Basically, soccer has leagues and cups, baseball has a league and _____?

4) If I want to follow baseball, where should I turn and WHEN? Is there like a game every week? 2 games a week? I live in Canada, by the way, and I know Sportsnet recently got the rights to broadcast the MLB or something like that.

5) What are the major and best websites to keep myself up to date?


Thanks for your trouble, and another similar American football post will probably follow someday soon

 

[Myllz]

Just skip baseball and go right to football.

 

[beerbelly]

www.espn.com has all the info you'll need. Lots of stats too.

 

[Deleted member 1159]

1) How many teams are there?

30 teams, the A's are and always will be the best.

2) How long does the league last? How does it work? How many matches, who plays each other, etc...? Are there knockout phases, is it point-based or is it both?

From April to the end of September for most teams. Playoff contenders go into October. Playoff spots are determined by your place in the division, which is decided by W-L record. 162 games are played in the regular season.

3) Aside from the league, what competitions are there? Basically, soccer has leagues and cups, baseball has a league and _____?

I'm not sure what you mean here, baseball has a Divisional Series played in best of five and Championship and World Series which are played out in best of seven.

4) If I want to follow baseball, where should I turn and WHEN? Is there like a game every week? 2 games a week? I live in Canada, by the way, and I know Sportsnet recently got the rights to broadcast the MLB or something like that.

MLB.com has everything you'll need, including a subscription video feed service. There are usually 6 games a week for one team, with Monday being a travel day. Standard format would be TWT you play 3 games somewhere, FSS you play 3 games somewhere (all could be at home against two different opponents, mind) and Monday you have a day off.

5) What are the major and best websites to keep myself up to date?

MLB.com

 

[Wellington]

Not the actual sport, but I want to follow the league/cups/whatever. If anyone can give me the lowdown on how EVERYTHING works, I'd appreciate it.

1) How many teams are there? Which are usually the best/worst? Best/worst players and what teams do they play in? I'm not looking to start arguments, it's just so that I can kinda know the big picture.

2) How long does the league last? How does it work? How many matches, who plays each other, etc...? Are there knockout phases, is it point-based or is it both?

3) Aside from the league, what competitions are there? Basically, soccer has leagues and cups, baseball has a league and _____?

4) If I want to follow baseball, where should I turn and WHEN? Is there like a game every week? 2 games a week? I live in Canada, by the way, and I know Sportsnet recently got the rights to broadcast the MLB or something like that.

5) What are the major and best websites to keep myself up to date?


Thanks for your trouble, and another similar American football post will probably follow someday soon

1) There are 30 teams in the MLB, split into the AL (14) and NL (16), and then further split into divisions. Here's a good look at what team is where, and the standings will tell you which teams are usually good. http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/standings/index.jsp For best and worst players, I guess you could look at a list of all-stars.

2) The league lasts from round abouts April 1st to near the end of October. There are 162 games in the regular season, and then there are the playoffs. Typically, a team would only play another team within their league (AL/NL) but with the introduction of interleague play a few years back, a couple of times a year teams will matchup across leagues. For example, the Mets would play the Yankees, the White Sox would play the Cubs, the Athletics would play the Giants. The winners of each division is determined by the games that they win. You can see how it is done by taking a look at the standings page again.

3) That's it. MLB players don't go to the olympics or anything like that. They just play the season, and then they play the playoffs leading into the world series.

4) You can easily watch 1-2 baseball games a day if you want. Check the ESPN/Sportsnet listings, and there may be some Jays/Expos games being televised depending where you are.

5) www.mlb.com www.espn.com www.cnnsi.com

 

[Seth C]

1) How many teams are there? Which are usually the best/worst? Best/worst players and what teams do they play in? I'm not looking to start arguments, it's just so that I can kinda know the big picture.

Currently there are 30 teams, divided in to two leagues (National and American) with three divisions in each league (east, central, west). Best teams this year? New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Oakland A's, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Players would be far too many to mention.

2) How long does the league last? How does it work? How many matches, who plays each other, etc...? Are there knockout phases, is it point-based or is it both?

It lasts from early spring until October/November. Teams compete directly with those in their own division for record, but also play against teams in other divisions and even the other league. Each team plays 162 games, I believe. Each game is played for 9 innings, unless there is a tie, in which case the game continues one inning at a time.

3) Aside from the league, what competitions are there? Basically, soccer has leagues and cups, baseball has a league and _____?

There is regular league (season) play, and then the Division Series, League Series, and World Series, to then decide the season champion.

4) If I want to follow baseball, where should I turn and WHEN? Is there like a game every week? 2 games a week? I live in Canada, by the way, and I know Sportsnet recently got the rights to broadcast the MLB or something like that.

You can find baseball on anytime. There are games every day of the week during the regular season, and they are played both in the afternoon and evening.

5) What are the major and best websites to keep myself up to date?

Probably espn.com or mlb.com.

 

[Alex Anderson]

Adding to what my friend Thaedolus said: for 3)

Major League Baseball's regular season and playoffs are the only yearly baseball events that matter. There are no offseason tournaments or anything of that sort. The winner of the World Series is the champion for that year.

There is also Minor League Baseball, but the teams on each of the levels (Rookie ball, A, AA, AAA) are owned by the major league clubs. The major league clubs could care less if their minor league teams win -- their goal is to groom their players to be major leaguers. As such, the results don't really matter and no one really cares.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

all you need to know is three simple words:
I.
CHI.
RO.

 

[Azih]

I thought you were french Leon, what're you doing in Canada?

 

[Leon]

Thanks guys.

In regards to the actual rules of baseball, how long does one game last? More specifically, how does one game end? Seth has mentioned that a game goes for 9 innings, and if there's a tie, then it's one inning at a time. After that, the game ends as soon as one team leads by 2 points, then that team wins, right?

What if a team leads by 1 point only by the end of the 9th inning? Does that team win or does the game go on until there is a 2 point difference? (a friend of mine's telling me about that 2 point difference, so I'm trying to clear it up)


Azih, I am French, finishing up my studies in Montreal. Not uncommon.

 

[Malakhov]

"Teach me everything baseball"

It's the most boring sport... er wait, it's not even a sport.

 

[pops619]

There's no two run rule. Whatever team has more runs after nine innings wins the game. If it's tied after nine, it goes into extra innings. From there, the game keeps going on until one team has more runs after an inning.

 

[Desperado]

Thanks guys.

In regards to the actual rules of baseball, how long does one game last? More specifically, how does one game end? Seth has mentioned that a game goes for 9 innings, and if there's a tie, then it's one inning at a time. After that, the game ends as soon as one team leads by 2 points, then that team wins, right?

What if a team leads by 1 point only by the end of the 9th inning? Does that team win or does the game go on until there is a 2 point difference? (a friend of mine's telling me about that 2 point difference, so I'm trying to clear it up)


Azih, I am French, finishing up my studies in Montreal. Not uncommon.

Whoever has the most runs [baseball's "points"] wins, they don't have to win by more than one. Each inning is divided into halves, the first 1/2 of the inning the away team comes to bat, in the second 1/2 the home team bats. There is no time limit, inning halves are over when 3 outs are recorded. Generally, games last about 3 hours, though it can vary [high scoring games are usually longer, while low scoring games are usually shorter]

 

[Boomer]

Don't know if anyone has mentioned this yet but baseball started in the 1800s and has a RICH history, and you will enjoy the sport more if you have a good knowledge of it. For example, the reason everyone hates the Yankees is because they have won close to 30 World Series. Also because their payroll is as much as 6-7x other teams.

Another thing you'll need to know is, the Cincinnati Reds were the first major league team and command your respect.

 

[Seth C]

Thanks guys.

In regards to the actual rules of baseball, how long does one game last? More specifically, how does one game end? Seth has mentioned that a game goes for 9 innings, and if there's a tie, then it's one inning at a time. After that, the game ends as soon as one team leads by 2 points, then that team wins, right?

What if a team leads by 1 point only by the end of the 9th inning? Does that team win or does the game go on until there is a 2 point difference? (a friend of mine's telling me about that 2 point difference, so I'm trying to clear it up)


Azih, I am French, finishing up my studies in Montreal. Not uncommon.

A regular game last 9 innings. An inning is two halves, an offensive and a defensive half for each team, basically. The home team always starts on defense/pitching. The advantage is that they will be the last team with an opportunity to score. Each half of the inning is comprised of 3 "outs." There are several ways to get an out. The pitcher send the ball to the batter. There is a designated "strike zone" near where the batter stands. This area is considered to be where a ball is hittable. If the ball goes through this zone and the batter does not swing, it is a strike. On any pitch (in the strike zone or not) if the batter swings and misses it is a strike. If you accumulate 3 strikes before you get 4 balls (pitches outside the strike zone not swung at) you are out. You are also out if you hit the ball and someone catches it before it touches the ground, or if you hit the ball and someone picks it up and it the player "defending" first base is in posession of the ball before you get to the base. If you receive four "balls" before 3 strikes, you are granted a "walk" which is a free pass to first base. After one player gets a hit, a walk, or an out, th e next player on his team would come up to bat. Play would continue until the defensive team had earned 3 outs. After that, the teams reverse roles. After nine full innings are played in this manner, if either team has even a one point lead, that team wins. If there is a tie, the game is extended, one inning at a time, until someone has a lead at the end of the inning. This is when it is very handy to be the home team, and come up to bat last. If the game is tied and you come to bat and score even one run the game is over, because the other team already had their turn that inning.