| Since there are readers not only from USA but also | | | | While Ohio may not immediately come to mind when |
| from other countries, I don't take for granted that | | | | you think about baseball it does have a number of |
| everybody knows what baseball actually is. According | | | | colleges and universities that offer outstanding sports |
| to The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia baseball is | | | | college programs focusing in on baseball. Whether |
| "bat-and-ball sport known as the national pastime of | | | | you are ramping up for a career in the major leagues |
| the United States. It derives its name from the four | | | | or just want to try out for the college team while |
| bases that form a diamond (the infield) around the | | | | you pursue your degree, athletic departments are |
| pitcher's mound. | | | | often ranked up there with quality of education when |
| Teams consist of nine players who use a | | | | it comes to choosing which higher educational |
| leather-covered hard ball, a wooden (in the | | | | institution to pursue your degree at. |
| professional game) or aluminum bat, and padded | | | | Sports and colleges go together. In any region of the |
| gloves. Additionally, the batter, catcher, and | | | | country college athletics usually play a big part in the |
| home-plate umpire wear special protective gear. | | | | community. So important has athletics grown in higher |
| Teams alternate turns in the field and at bat, the | | | | education that many students and parents can base |
| home team batting last. One turn at bat for each | | | | decisions on which school to attend based partly on |
| team constitutes an inning, and nine innings constitute | | | | the reputation of their sports program. After all, |
| a game. In the field there are a pitcher, a catcher, | | | | college game days can rank up there with mid-terms |
| four infielders, and three outfielders. The pitcher | | | | examine in many people's minds in terms of |
| throws overhand, employing a variety of deliveries | | | | importance. |
| (fastball, curve, knuckleball, etc.), from the raised | | | | When deciding which college offers the most robust |
| pitcher's mound to home plate, a distance of 60.5 ft | | | | program it often comes down to reputation of the |
| (18.4 m). An opposing batter attempts to hit the | | | | team or family tradition. It is not uncommon to see |
| pitches and safely reach base, while the fielders | | | | 3rd or 4th generations of families attend the same |
| attempt to put the batter out through various plays. | | | | school because of school spirit and pride. In some |
| A batter who misses three pitches, or fails to swing | | | | places your last name can be your ticket to joining |
| at three judged hittable, is out on strikes; but if the | | | | just about any team you wish based on past |
| pitcher first throws four pitches out of the strike | | | | performance by family members. |
| zone, the batter obtains a base on balls, or walks to | | | | If you want to obtain more information about which |
| first base. A run is scored every time a batter | | | | school offers exceptional programs you only have to |
| becomes a runner and crosses home plate after | | | | turn as far as the Internet where you can research |
| touching each base in the prescribed order. When the | | | | statistics, program history and variety of programs |
| fielding team puts out three batters (or runners), the | | | | offered. Many schools even offer summer |
| teams exchange places. If the score is tied at the | | | | introductory programs where you can pick up the |
| end of nine innings, play continues into extra innings | | | | bat and give a swing with other members from the |
| until one team has scored more runs than the other | | | | school team to experience the program first hand. |
| in an equal number of turns at bat." | | | | |