Baseball

Also known as pelota, a competitive skill sport played with a hard ball and a bat
between two teams of nine players each. It is considered the national sport of Cuba and
the United States, due to its strong tradition and great popularity; It is also played in
many parts of the world by people of all ages.
Baseball is one of the oldest and most popular sports. The game, as it is known today,
developed among children and amateur players in the early 1800s.
Baseball in Cuba attracts millions of spectators to stadiums every year and entertains
many more millions through Cuban radio and television.
History
Although it is clear that modern baseball developed in North America, the exact origin
of the game is difficult to determine. Most scholars believe that baseball evolved from a
variety of similar games.
A popular legend claims that Abner Doubleday, a Union officer in the American Civil
War of 1861-1865, invented baseball in Cooperstown, New York in 1839. Although
there is not much support for this story, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and
Museum is located in that city.
origins
There is evidence that games with a stick and a ball have been played since the first
dawn of civilization. Ancient cultures, in Persia, Egypt and Greece, played games with
a stick and a ball for fun and as part of certain ceremonies.
Games of this type spread throughout Europe during the Middle Ages and became
popular in various forms. Europeans introduced similar games to their American
colonies around the 15th century.
There are, despite the popular version of the origin of baseball created by Doubleday,
numerous references to the terms "baseball" and "bat-and-ball" in documents from the
early years of the 18th century.
The origin of baseball should actually be defined as the evolution of baseball, because
based on what historians of the game have been finding, it is a derivation of the game
"stool ball" that dates back to the Middle Ages and, in turn, The “stool ball” comes
from ritual games played in the ancient world.

The first reference to the term “base ball” occurs in 1744, just under 100 years before
Abner Doubleday supposedly invented it in Cooperswton, New York in 1839.
In 1744 the first printed evidence of the game "Base Ball" appeared in England and was
published in a book of children's pastimes. Between that year and 1796, several more
references arise about baseball in Europe, reporting on a small game played by boys
and girls. In 1796, the first rules of "base ball" were published in Germany, which
shows that the game was probably already played in that country.
The game emigrated from Europe to America between the mid and late 18th century,
brought by English colonists who settled in the New World. The first reference to base
ball being played in the United States dates back to April 1778, recorded in his diary by
soldier George Ewing: “I exercised in the afternoon and in the intervals I played base.”
In 1786, Princeton student John Rhea Smith mentions in his diary that “One day I
played baste ball on campus but was beaten because I failed to catch and hit the ball.”
Later, in 1791, a ban is issued in the town of Pittsfield Massachusetts to “preserve the
windows of the new Meeting House... no person will be permitted to play the games
called Wicket, Cricket, Base Ball, Football, Cat, Fives or any other ball game, within a
distance of 80 yards from the aforementioned Meeting House.”
How to play
A baseball game is divided into nine periods of play, each of which is called an inning.
The team that scores the most runs throughout the nine innings wins the game.
The game begins when a player, called the pitcher, throws the ball toward the opposing
team's batter who attempts to hit (hit with the bat) the ball into the field of play.
Players score runs by hitting the ball and running around a series of bases before being
thrown out by an opposing team's fielder. Batters and runners can be thrown out in
different ways.
The entries are divided into two halves, called the beginning and end of the entry.
During the beginning of an inning, one team bats while the other is on the field.
When the batting team has three players out, the two teams exchange roles and the end
of an inning begins. If the score remains tied at the end of nine innings, the two teams
continue playing until, at the end of one or more extra innings, one scores more runs
than the other.
Game Process
The positions of the players on the field are as follows:
 Pitcher
 Receiver (Catcher).
 First baseman.
 Second baseman (Second baseman, although known as the defender of
second base, is placed between second and first).
 Third baseman.
 Shortstop, shortstop (Short stop, player who is between third and second,
and who also defends second base).
 Left fielder or left outside fielder.
 Central fielder or central outside fielder (Center fielder).
 Right fielder or right outside fielder.
Designated hitter (Designated hitter, is a baseball position used by some leagues, which
allows a player to be selected to bat in place of the pitcher, but does not occupy any
defensive position on the field).
The visiting team is the first to "attack", that is, to bat. They go out one by one always
in the same batting order to try to hit and not be eliminated. The batting shift changes to
the other team, which was defending, when three players from the batting team are
eliminated.
This way they change from attack to defense up to a maximum of nine times. Each time
a team attacks and defends, an inning is passed. At the end of the nine innings, if there
is no tie, the game is over; if there is, additional innings are played until one of the two
teams scores more runs than the other at the end of the full inning.
The basic playing area is a square called "square" or "diamond", placed on one of its
vertices is the home plate (batting place). Runs (scores) are recorded each time the
batter runs all the bases in the infield.

Field
Baseball is played on a level field, which typically occupies about 0.8 hectares. The
playing field is divided into the internal field or infield and the extrafield or outfield;
These two areas together constitute the good or fair zone, while the rest of the field is
called the bad or foul zone.
The infield is a square-shaped piece of land, called a 'diamond', measuring 27 m on a
side, one of whose corners is marked by a piece of rubber, shaped like an irregular
pentagon, called home plate or goal. Batsmen, depending on their preference, hit the
ball from a position to the right or left side of the goal.
In the other three corners of the infield moving from the home plate in a
counterclockwise direction are the first, second and third bases, each marked with a
hash.
The pitcher's mound, a slightly elevated piece of ground, is located near the center of
the infield between home plate and second base and has a rubber band nailed to the top
of it, at a distance of 18, 4 m from the goal; Pitchers must have one foot in contact with
the cushion when putting the ball in play.
The baselines extend from the goal to first and third base, with extensions called foul
lines, which extend to the outer edge of the outfield and divide the foul field and the fair
field.
The baselines also extend from first to second and third bases, marking a runner's lane.
The outfield behind first base is called right field, second base is called center field, and
third base is called left field. A fence runs along the farthest edge of the extrafield.
Implements
The basic equipment of this sport includes a hard ball, a wooden or aluminum bat, a
padded leather glove for each player, cleats, and protective helmets for batters. Catchers
wear special protective equipment with a helmet, mask, padded chest protector, and
shin guards.
The baseball has a cork center wrapped with layers of rubber and rope, and is covered
by pieces of leather that have been tied tightly.
Bats are usually made of aluminum or elastic wood, such as ash, and their maximum
dimensions are 6.9 cm in diameter and 107 cm in length. Specific rules also describe
the measurement and construction of gloves, spikes, batting helmets and other baseball
equipment.

The match
The object of the game is to accumulate more points than the opposing team at the end
of a series of turns. Each turn of play is called an inning, and consists of two phases: in
the first phase (upper part) a team plays on the offensive, trying to score points; and in
the second phase (lower part) the teams reverse roles. Each point in baseball is called a
run.
The game consists of 9 innings, and the team that scores the most runs at the end will be
the winner. If both teams are tied at the end of nine innings, additional innings continue
to be played until one team beats the other. Sometimes this causes games to drag on a
lot; and for this, various solutions have been imposed: leave the game in a tie, and if the
championship later depends on that result, play it again. Or the game is interrupted to
continue it another time, with the same score.
Summary of the main basic rules of baseball
The rule establishes that the home team begins playing defensively.
If a batter fails to hit the ball, that failure is counted as a strike. If you accumulate three
strikes in your turn, you are out. He must return to the bench (dogout) and another
player takes his turn with the bat.
When three offensive players have been put out, the team's offensive turn ends. The
team that was on defense now goes on offense, and vice versa.
If the batter does not attempt to hit the ball, and the pitch passes through an area where
he could have hit the ball, the pitch is counted as a strike. If it passes outside that area, it
is counted as a ball. The assessment of this is carried out by a referee (called an umpire)
who stands behind the catcher, and whose ruling is final.
When the batter accumulates four balls, he is given the right to go to first base and
become a runner. This also occurs when a pitcher's pitch hits the batter, unless it is
evident that the batter was in the path of the ball.
If the batter hits the ball and it lands in the foul zone, the play is invalid. The first two
times this happens, it is counted as a strike. Subsequent times do not count in any way.
If a defensive player catches the ball before it hits the ground, the batter is out.
If the batter hits the ball and it lands in the fair zone, he becomes a runner: he will leave
the bat and try to reach first base. Defensive players must pick up the ball and try to
touch the runner with it, or failing that, step on the base while having the ball in their
possession. If the player picking up the ball is too far from the base, he can throw it to
another player near the bag to complete the play. If he succeeds, the runner is out.
In general, an offensive runner is out if he is not touching a base and a defensive player
tags him with the ball. Or if you have to move toward a base, and a defensive player has
the ball and steps on that base. The runner must move to the next base if, after a batting
play, a runner tries to reach the base where he is from the previous base.
If the batter hits the ball and a defensive player catches it before it hits the ground, he is
out.
If the batter hits the ball and it leaves the field over the fence at the end of the field, in
the fair zone, a home run or home run is declared: the player can travel the bases and
score a run for his team. If there are runners on the bases, they also score. It is important
that all runners touch the bases on the course.
 Volleyball

Known as the high net sport, created in Massachusetts, United States in 1895, it is
directed by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), it is divided into indoor and
beach volleyball, as well as sitting volleyball, which is a variant with increasing
popularity among disability sports; The indoor game is played between two teams of six
players and the beach game is played by two teams and two players. They have specific
technical characteristics, one of the most peculiar characteristics of volleyball is that
players must rotate positions as they score points. The game is controlled by two
referees, a timekeeper, a scorer and linesmen. In Cuba, after Baseball, it is one of the
sports that is most practiced and liked by the population.
Emergence of the Game of Volleyball
It was created in 1895 by William G. Morgan, a Physical Education teacher from
Massachusetts, United States, was also known at that time by the name mintonette. In
1905 the discipline was introduced in Cuba, being the first Hispanic country to practice
the sport of high mesh. It is divided into indoor and beach volleyball.
Regarding beach volleyball, the first references are in Uruguay in 1914 and in Hawaii
in 1915. The takeoff of the modality and the first competitions took place in the 1920s
on the beaches of Santa Monica, California, United States and in Europe, in
Francoville, Paris in 1927.
In the 1970s, the first beach volleyball tournaments appeared with commercial
sponsorship, cash prizes and the consequent professionalization. The International
Volleyball Federation (FIVB) was incorporated in 1986, promoting a circuit of
alternative competitions to that of the Association of Volleyball. Professional
Volleyball (AVP).
It was invited as a demonstration sport to the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games and
officially debuted in Atlanta 1996, where athletes from the United States won gold and
silver and China won bronze.
Women's volleyball was started in Cuba by Galician emigrants, which is gaining
interest among the population and at the school level, so over time it is practiced
nationally and in 1972 the well-known Morenas del Caribe emerged.
International Volleyball Federation (FIVB)
The International Volleyball Federation was founded in 1947, which was responsible
for the organization of this sport, dictating the norms and rules. The first world
championships were held in 1949 with the debut of men's volleyball and in 1952
women's volleyball was included as an Olympic sport in 1964, while beach volleyball
joined the FIVB in 1986 and the Summer Olympic Games since 1996.

The International Volleyball Federation is one of the international federations that has
introduced the most changes and all with good results, because in these modern times
where media demands become greater, it has lived up to the challenge, becoming one of
the sports with the highest index of preferences in all latitudes, among some are:
In 1998 the figure of the libero player is introduced.
In 2000, the duration of the matches was significantly reduced by eliminating the
requirement of being in possession of the serve to score; a point and serve could be won
in the same play, whereas before it was possible to alternately steal serves without the
scoreboard will advance. Touching with any part of the body has been allowed or the
serve is allowed to touch the net as long as it ends up passing into the opposite field.
In 2006, two possible new changes were proposed and tested in some competitions,
which is to allow a second serve in case the first one fails, similar to a game, as well as
having a second libero player on the bench with whom to alternate. throughout the
match, in the revision approved at the June 2008 congress based in Dubai, the
incorporation of a second reserve libero and the possibility of exchanging the liberos
only once during the course of the match are only accepted.
Specific Game Features
The team is made up of six players on each side of the net, of which three are attackers,
who are close to the net, and three defenders. The game is played by hitting a ball on
the opposite side of the court or playing court over a grid. Points are scored when the
ball hits the ground on the opponents' side of the court or when they miss a return.
The player who begins serving stands behind the right third of the back line of his court
and serves over the net to the opposite court, throwing the ball into the air and hitting it
with his hand or wrist. In the S service only one attempt is allowed by hitting the ball
back and forth over the net, with the hands, wrists, forearms, head, or any part of the
body above the waist, play continues until one team fails, i.e. , do not return the ball or
commit a rule violation.
The ball must be returned by one of the teams over the net after a maximum of three
touches and no player may hit the ball twice in succession. The return over the net must
be made without grabbing, pushing or holding the ball, without any player touching the
net and without entering the rival team's space. Only the team that is serving can score
one point.
A player holds serve as long as his team scores points; Otherwise, the privilege of
serving shifts to the other team. In a service change, all members of the serving team
rotate a position, moving clockwise, moving the player who was in the right front
position to the right back or service position.
The first team to score twenty-five points wins the set, as long as the difference is at
least two points. A volleyball match is played in four sets. If there is a tie, the fifth set
known as time break is played, it is only 15 points with a difference of 2 over. This
system is known as raly point, which makes the game more attractive and dynamic for
spectators than the old fifteen-point system with a ball change.
Fundamental position
There are three fundamental positions:
 High: relatively raised position, with the feet up slightly apart, one in front
of the other, and the knees slightly bent.
 Middle: intermediate position. Compared to the previous position, the knees
and ankles vary, as they flex more. The heel of the back foot should be
elevated.
  Low: relatively crouched position. The legs are flexed and separated even
further. The heel and sole of the rear foot are raised, resting on the toe. This
position allows for almost zero displacement.

Service or serve
The serve is the action of putting the ball into play by the right back player, located in the
service zone. Each point begins with a throw-in of the ball from behind the baseline. The
ball is thrown into the air and hit towards the opponent's field looking for the weak points
of the opponent's defense. It can be done standing or jumping. The orientation of the serve
is important because the opposing player who is forced to receive the shot is limited from
participating in the subsequent attack.

Blocking
Blocking is the action of the players near the net aimed at intercepting the ball that comes
from the opposing court above the top edge of the net. Only forwards can complete a block.
It is prohibited to block the opponent's serve.
It is the first barrier to stop balls coming from the opposite field on the net. The players
jump next to the net with their arms up to directly return the ball to the opponent's field, or
failing that, narrow their attacking field to induce them to throw the ball out of the field of
play. Up to three players (the three forwards) can participate in the block to increase the
chances of interception.
Reception and pass
It is intercepting and controlling a ball by directing it towards another teammate in good
condition to be able to play it. The low balls are received with the forearms joined in front
at waist level and the high ones with the fingers, above the head.
In other cases, more spectacular movements are needed. It is common to see the player
lunge on his abdomen, stretching his arm so that the ball bounces on his hand instead of on
the ground and thus avoids the point.
Generally the second touch is intended to provide a ball in optimal conditions for a spiker
to put it into the opponent's field. The set is performed by raising the hands with a finger
pass, the most precise pass in volleyball. The setter has in his hand (and in his head) the
responsibility of distributing balls throughout the game to the different spikers and to the
different areas. Generally use forearm, volley, heading or hitting techniques with any part
of the body as a last resort.
Attack/Finish
All actions of directing the ball to the opponent, except serving and blocking, are
considered attacking strokes.
The player, while jumping, finally sends the ball with force to the opposite field looking for
poorly defended places, or against the opposing players themselves in conditions of speed
or direction such that they cannot control it and the ball goes out. The player can also
choose to deceive or feint (tipping), leaving at the end a soft ball that is not expected by the
opponent. Although you have three team touches, you can opt for an attack (or feint) in the
first touches to catch the opposing team off guard or off guard.

Player specialization
The three most differentiated roles are attacker/blocker, setter and libero. At a more
advanced level, among the attackers, central attackers, 4 attackers and opposite attackers
are also distinguished.
 Generally, taller players with good jumping ability are used as
attackers/blockers. The height, speed and duration of the jump are important to
intercept balls and to evade the opponent's defenses.
 The setters are the ones who direct the team's offense. Apart from great tactical
precision, they must have a clear and quick vision of the game. Also important
is their collaboration in blocking and the possibility of occasionally carrying out
attacks (or feints) themselves. Their field territory is zone 2.
 Liberos are specialists in defense and replace natural attackers, who are too tall,
when they occupy rear positions. Special rules apply to them to be able to make
multiple changes. They are primarily responsible for receiving serves and
opposing attacks. They are usually the players with the fastest reaction capacity
and good passing technique. Due to the rules of the game, they never play on the
net and do not have to be especially tall; It is thus a position that allows smaller
players with good passing technique to participate and excel.
 The center backs make quick shots in a position close to the setter. But at the
same time they are also in charge of blocking their counterparts on the opposing
team. They require great agility to go from their attacking position to blocking
and to quickly move to double blocks on both sides of the court in zones 2 and
4.
 The attackers or finishers in zone 4, unlike the center back, are further away
from the setter, sometimes initiating the movement from outside the field. They
have more time and this gives them more possibilities when planning and
resolving the attack (or feint). When the setter receives a ball in bad conditions,
he usually turns to the attacker for 4 to try to save and get a point. Finally, they
must also master the pass, to support the libero in reception.
 Opponents play in zones 1 and 2 accompanying the setter, but they are finishers.
In the initial rotation they are placed in the opposite position to the setter so that
if one is in the front line the other will be at the back, thus being able to alternate
in the two zones. It is a good position for left-handed players, because located to
the right of the net the balls will reach them from the left. In the back-row shot,
the opponent on the second line carries out his attack from behind, taking care
not to touch the line of attack and not commit a foul.