In competitions, such as sports, getting a headstart is critical. Indeed, most teams like to set the tone for their play by having the first serve. In a game, however, there would be rules to regulate it from the start, and determining the first team to play is one of those rules.
You are viewing: Which Team Bats First
So, who bats first in baseball, the home or visitor team?
As one might expect, the visiting team will be the opener. And, since a baseball game’s inning is divided into two parts, the visiting team will bat in every first half. Read below to know more about this rule.
Which Team Hits First in Baseball?
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New baseball fans may not be aware that the length of a baseball game is dictated by the number of innings played. A baseball game in the Major League lasts 9 innings, with each inning divided into two halves.
During these halves, two teams will take turns playing offense or defense, and the team that scores more runs at the end wins.
In the short interval between each half of the inning, which lasts more than two minutes, two teams will switch their positions, from batting to defending and vice versa.
Neutral locations aren’t a must, however, as when both teams are of equal rankings (or seeds), coin flipping will also be used. An example of this is the MIAA determining the home team in 2021’s highschool baseball finals.
Read more: The number of innings in a college baseball game.
First Bat Advantage and Disadvantage
Let’s see how the game unfolds at the first bat. Most of the time, the player chosen for the first hit is among the top MLB team batting players. They are known as leadoff hitters.
These batters are frequently known for their exceptional bat control and speed. They also have a high on-base percentage and plate discipline. This player can be counted on by the team to steal bases, which is his primary goal in the first inning.
The batter or hitter will face the pitcher from the opposing team, in this instance, the home team. After batting, the player becomes a baserunner. His ultimate goal in this initial at-bat is to reach base and advance to homeplate.
The visiting team and first batter may encounter the following opportunities and risks:
Advantages of Batting First:
- It helps the leadoff hitter if he has never faced the opposing pitcher in previous games. He has the ability to catch the home team off guard.
- The starting pitcher may pitch for seven to eight innings, or at least a great portion of the game. Facing this pitcher first will give the batting team time to adjust their strategies before too much of the game is gone.
- As the first player, the batter can benefit from the adrenaline rush.
- Batting first can result in more runs scored, thus reducing the time for defense.
Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: WHICH
