Pitcher throws ball
Batter attempts to hit it

If the pitcher can hit the strike zone (a target defined as the space over home plate between a batter's knees and chest height), it's a strike. It is also a strike if the batter swings and misses, or hits the ball foul. Three strikes and the batter is out, though a foul ball cannot result in a strikeout. Four balls (non-strikes) result in the batter taking first base.

If the batter hits the ball in play, he is out if
- The ball is caught on the fly
- The ball gets to a defensive player standing on first base before the batter can run to it (thrown out)
- he is tagged by a defensive player holding the ball while not touching a base

A batter is free to run the bases if he hits a ball that lands in fair territory and isn't thrown out, but he must end a play occupying a base in order to be safe. Only one player on the batting team can occupy a base at a time, and runners aren't permitted to pass their teammates.

The batting team scores if a player reaches home (after touching first, second, and third base) before being recorded out. The inning ends, and all runners are nullified, when the defensive team records three outs, which ends the inning. Each team is given 9 innings in which to hit, and the winning team is who has the most runs at the end.
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kin to all that throbs

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