The field
Four bases, a dirt diamond, grass to the fence, and two white lines.
The rule: Runners go first, second, third, home — the play is usually one base ahead of them.
The diamond
Four bases, ninety feet apart.
Home plate, first base, second, third — laid out in a diamond. Batters run them in order and can't skip any. Watch the batter tear off toward first the moment the ball is hit.
Infield & outfield
Dirt up close, grass out deep.
The dirt ring around the bases is the infield — quick plays, short throws. The big grass behind it is the outfield, all the way to the fence. Balls hit out there take a lot longer to get back.
Fair & foul
The play lives between the white lines.
Two chalk lines run from home plate through first and third, all the way to the fence. A ball inside them is fair — play it! Outside is foul: the play stops and everyone resets.
Home plate
Everything ends at home.
Batting starts at home plate, and every run finishes there. When a runner is heading for home, getting the ball there first is the whole field's job.
Keep the run from scoring.
Runner on third, ground ball to you at second base. Think about where the runners are going — then tap where the play is.