October 19, 2009
Dear Mrs. Figgins:
My fiancé and I are getting married next month. I have a degree in classical piano and he has just completed his studies in sports engineering.
He has been offered a wonderful opportunity to advance his career, and we will be moving from Yorkshire to America for two years.
My Dad says that the secret of a great marriage is what he has with Mum. She has not only been a great wife, but a fun girlfriend to him.
I’m determined to do the same. However, I am frightfully in the dark about the major sports in America.
Do you have any idea how I can get a crash course?
South Yorkshire
Dear South Yorkshire:
I say, your Dad is spot on.
Though I am not an expert, here is a quick overview of America’s three favorite sports.
Many Congratulations!
Mrs. Figgins
- Baseball
Baseball:
Each team has 9 players: Pitcher, Catcher, 1st Base, 2nd Base, Shortstop, 3rd Base, Right Fielder, Center Fielder, Left Fielder.
The teams take alternate turns in the field and at bat. The home team is up to bat last.
The pitcher throws overhand from the pitcher’s mound to the batter.
The distance between the pitcher’s mound to home plate, is 60.5 ft (18.4 m).
The pitcher throws, aiming at a small area in front of the catcher called the “strike zone”, and the batter (on the opposing team) attempts to hit the pitches and safely reach base. The fielders attempt to put the batter out through various plays.
Equipment: Leather covered ball; Padded gloves, Wood (in professional games) or aluminum bats.
Special Gear: The batter, catcher, and home-plate umpire wear special protective gear.
Innings: There are 9 innings to a game. If there is a tie game then the game continues past the 9th inning. If the score is tied at the end of nine innings, play continues into extra innings until one team has scored more runs than the other in an equal number of turns at bat.
A Strike: A batter who misses three pitches, or fails to swing at three judged hittable throws within the strike zone, is out on “strikes”.
A Ball: If the pitch is out of the “strike zone” then the ball is judged a “ball”.
A Foul Ball: If the batter hits the ball into the foul zone on the first 2 pitches, it is considered a strike.
If the batter hits the ball into the foul zone and he already has 2 strikes, then it is considered a “foul ball” and he can continue hitting the ball until he either gets a hit or he swings and strikes out.
If the pitcher first throws four pitches out of the strike zone, the batter obtains a base on balls, or “walks” to first base.
Scoring A Run: A run is scored every time a batter becomes a runner and crosses home plate after touching each base in the prescribed order. When the fielding team puts out three batters (or runners), the teams exchange places.
- Football
American Football:
Each team is made up of eleven players.
The game consists of four quarters. Each quarter is fifteen minutes.
Each half begins with a kickoff, which initiates play after every score (except a safety).
Objective: The objective is to keep moving the ball across the opponent’s goal line and scoring a “touchdown”.
Each touchdown is worth six points.
After making a touchdown, the team has a choice of kicking an extra point (1 pt) or going for 2 points, which involves the quarterback either passing the ball or running the ball.
At the end of the 2ND quarter (half time), the teams exchange goals.
The team must gain 10 yd (9 m) in four plays (downs) or yield possession of the ball to the opponent.
The defending team tries to stop the ball by tackling the ball carrier, forcing him to the ground—thus causing the team with the ball to use up one of its four downs.
The Offense: Comprises a quarterback, a fullback, two halfbacks, and seven linemen—a center, two guards, two tackles, and two ends.
The offense may advance the ball by running or passing it forward (forward or laterally).
The Defense: Comprises of two tackles and two ends, who play on the line, as well as three linebackers, two cornerbacks, and two safeties.
The defending team can gain possession of the ball before the end of four downs by recovering a dropped ball (called a fumble), or by intercepting a pass.
The Field: The football field is level, measures 100 by 53 1/3 yd (91.4 by 48.8 m). The field is marked off by latitudinal stripes every 5 yd (4.57 m).
End Zone: At the end of each side of the field there is an end zone measuring 10 yd (9.14 m) deep.
Goal Posts: In the center of each end zone is a goal post measuring 20 ft (6.10 m) in height, with a crossbar 10 ft (3.05 m) from the ground, and uprights on either end 24 ft (73.2 m) apart.
Field Goal: In addition to the 6 points earned in a touchdown, 1 additional point can be scored after a touchdown is made by the scoring team by kicking the ball (which is held on the ground by a teammate of the kicker) over the crossbar between the goal posts (called a field goal).
Safety: Three points may be scored by downing a player in possession of the ball behind his own goal line (a safety), for two points.
Conversions: Additional points, known as conversions, may be scored after the scoring of a touchdown.
Officials: The game is controlled by five officials—the referee, umpire, field judge, linesman, and electric clock operator.
- Basketball
Basketball:
Basketball is played by two opposing teams of five players each.
The game is played on a rectangular court.
At each end of the court—usually about 92 ft (28 m) long and 50 ft (15 m) wide—is a bottomless basket made of white cord net and suspended from a metal ring, 18 in. (46 cm) in diameter, which is attached 10 ft (3.05 m) above the floor (usually hardwood) to a backboard made of fiberglass, wood, or other material.
Each team has a designated hoop at each end of the court.
Objective: The main objective is to throw the ball into the basket of the opponent through dribbling or passing the ball with the hands. If a player moves ahead without dribbling the ball is called a foul.
When a player in possession of the ball stops dribbling, they must either pass the ball or shoot it. After each shot is made, the ball changes possession to the other team.
Players: Point Guard, Shooting Guard, Small Forward, Power Forward, Center.
A team keeps another seven players on the bench in case of any injury, foul or to give another player a chance to play and score.
Offense: The team in possession of the ball is considered offense while the other team is considered defense. While playing offense, the object is to score.
Defense: While playing defense, the object is to stop the other team from scoring by either stealing the ball or blocking a shot. When the defensive team gains possession of the ball without the offensive team scoring, it is called a turnover.
Officials: There are 3 officials.
Rebound: Rebounding a missed shot is another way to gain possession of the ball.
Scoring: To score points the player may dribble the ball down the court with one hand at a time or they may pass the ball from one player to another.
Players may throw, dribble (bounce), or shoot the basketball , but may not run with it or kick it.
Each time a player throws a ball through the basket, his/her team gets two points if it is a regular jump shot.
In case of a free-throw, the team gets one point.
If a player throws the ball through the basket from beyond the three-point arc, his or her team will receive three points.
There are two halves, each consisting of two quarters: (24 sec in the National Basketball Association; 30 sec in international games and in most women’s play; 45 sec in men’s collegiate play.
Teams must shoot the ball within a prescribed time limit.
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