| Baseball is America's pastime. To play the game | | | | miles per hour, so headgear is necessary. |
| there are a few basic pieces of equipment that | | | | Catchers wear a helmet as well; only their helmet |
| everyone must have on hand. For most, this | | | | also has a wire cage that pulls down over the |
| equipment is common knowledge, but some may | | | | face to protect from additional injuries. |
| be less familiar with the terminology and rules. | | | | All players wear a cup. This protects them from |
| Every game revolves around a baseball bat and a | | | | groin injury during a game. A jockstrap holds the |
| ball. The ball contains a cork center that is | | | | genitals in place inside the cup. |
| wrapped in string and then covered with a layer | | | | Pitchers and players on the field wear a baseball |
| of leather that is then stitched up. The bat is | | | | cap. This helps shade their eyes from the sun and |
| made of metal or wood, usually maple or ash. | | | | also ties in to their team colors and uniform |
| Metal bats are not allowed in professional games, | | | | designs. |
| but many minor league and Little League teams | | | | Uniforms also tie in to the team's color scheme. |
| allow them. | | | | Teams have two uniforms, one for home games |
| In the game of baseball, the pitcher throws a ball | | | | and one for away games. Belts keep the pants |
| to the man standing at home plate. That person is | | | | from falling down during the game. Usually, the |
| called the batter, and his goal is to hit the ball. The | | | | team has a logo, such as their mascot, that |
| bases or plates are set up in a diamond shape a | | | | appears somewhere on the uniform. Often the |
| certain distance from one another. As the ball is | | | | players were sliding shorts under their uniforms to |
| hit, the batter runs to each base in order from | | | | protect the legs from injury when a player slides |
| home to first, second, third, and back to home. | | | | into a base. |
| Everyone on the team needs a baseball mitt. This | | | | Also important to any uniform are the spiked |
| protects the players' hands from the impact of | | | | sneakers. These special additions to the sole of |
| the ball. Catchers have a special mitt with | | | | the sneakers grip the ground tightly. This can be a |
| additional padding and a wider span. Some players | | | | lifesaver when the ground is slick from prior rain |
| choose to put on an additional glove underneath | | | | showers. |
| the glove for added protection. | | | | There are other items that may be used in any |
| Batters wear batting gloves. This helps them grip | | | | game, but they are optional. As long as a player is |
| the bat more tightly and offers a little insulation | | | | dressed in uniform and the coaches have the |
| against the shock of the bat hitting the ball. | | | | proper equipment, there is nothing to stop a |
| A batting helmet is required as head protection | | | | number of players from enjoying their sport. |
| for any batter. Pitches can travel upwards of 90 | | | | |