Baseball Fundamentals and Training Principles

Physical Conditioning

Physical Condition: The ability to perform daily tasks with vigor and effectiveness, delaying fatigue and preventing injury. This involves maximizing efficiency and minimizing energy expenditure. Basic physical conditions are: resistance, strength, speed, and flexibility.

Principles of Training

Principle of Adaptation

The human body can withstand physical activity and adjust to its practice. After running, the body undergoes wear that causes a momentary decrease in physical level. Later, the body recovers and reaches a new level, higher than the previous one (overcompensation).

Principle of Progression

The human body is capable of increasing efforts progressively. To achieve an increase in physical fitness, exercise must be increased gradually, taking into account elements such as volume, intensity, and load.

Principle of Continuity

We must practice exercise often enough to reap the positive effects of overcompensation. Physical exercise should be maintained and sustained.

Principle of Alternation

In training plans, workloads should alternate. Training requires combining various physical qualities, followed by periods of recovery. Rest is essential because it allows the body to recover.

Baseball

History of Baseball

Baseball has its origins in ancient Egypt, near the Nile River. In the early nineteenth century, rules were established by J. Cartwright (the father of baseball). The first creator was Nykee Rockers in the city of New York, which held the first tournament that became the American major leagues.

The twentieth century saw the expansion of the baseball league with World War I and II. Major exponents include Korea, Japan, Cuba, and in Europe, Italy and Holland.

Baseball Vocabulary

• Home Plate: Base goal (batting area).
• Bases: Bearings in English located inside the field (1st, 2nd, 3rd).
• Pitcher: The player who throws the ball to the batter.
• Catcher: The director of the defensive play of the team.
• Infielder: Defender of the infield (1B, 2B, 3B, SS).
• Outfielder: Defender of the outfield (LF, CF, RF).
• Strike: A pitch within the batting area or a missed swing.
• Ball: A pitch outside the batting area.
• Strikeout: Batter eliminated after three strikes.
• Out: An attacking player (batter or runner) removed.
• Safe: An attacking player who reaches a base safely.
• Error: A mistake made by a defender.
• Fair Ball: A batted ball within the foul lines.
• Foul Ball: A batted ball outside the foul lines.
• Rolling: A batted ball that rolls on the ground.
• Fly: A batted ball that goes high in the air.
• Bunt: A softly batted ball that stays close to the infield.
• Hit: A batted ball that allows the batter to reach one of the bases (without a defensive error).
• Home Run: A batted ball that goes beyond the limits of the field, enabling the batter to run all four bases.
• Run: A point scored by the attacking team.
• Play (Play Ball): The start or restart of the game.
• Time (Time Out): A temporary suspension of play.
• Umpire: The referee.
• Inning: Each of the nine parts that make up a game.