121 Baseball Facts That Are Out Of The Park

For fun baseball facts for kids, we've got all the baseball trivia facts you need to know, including how it's played, who its most famous stars are, and how the game has evolved over the years.

Baseball fans can read all about the evolution of the baseball game, its star players, fun and curious facts about league teams and the myths and legends associated with baseball sporting history in this article. Find out how the baseball bat and glove have evolved and discover the secret ingredient used to prepare baseballs for their star game as well as finding out about the most iconic MLB teams and why certain teams and players have achieved legendary status right here!

You can discover why baseball has been one of the most popular American sports of the 20th century and how its popularity soared meteorically during the roaring twenties. Learn all about the record breaking players and their incredible feats, and discover how many of them changed the face of baseball forever.

Baseball is such a fascinating game. A 'thinking person's game', the leisurely pace of baseball allows spectators to keep their own scorecards during the match and talk to their neighbors about what is happening on the pitch. Seasons are long, starting in spring, and the smell of peanuts, cold drinks, hot dogs and freshly cut grass accompanied by the crack of the bat on the ball and the cheers of the crowd make baseball a feast for the senses for many fans.

If you enjoy our fascinating baseball facts, why not try our super sports facts or our mystical zodiac facts?

Interesting facts about baseball and how the game is played.

1. Baseball is a two team game played on a baseball field.

2. The aim of the game is to hit the ball so that it travels as far as possible, giving the batter enough time to run round all four bases, completing a "run".

3. The winning team is the team that scores the most runs.

4. If a player gets round all the bases without being tagged out then another batter can step up.

5. Each team has nine players and there are four umpires.

6. The umpires make sure that all the rules of the game are respected and that no one cheats.

7. There are four bases on a baseball field, and these bases form a diamond shape around the field. The game follows this diamond shape to the right from the starting base, or "home plate".

8. The home plate is a five sided, pentagonal white, flat rubber base. The home plate is at the back of the field by the catcher.

9. On the right side of the field is the first base, the second base is at the top of the infield and the third base is on the left hand side of the field.

10. Baseball games have nine innings. Each inning allows both teams to have a turn batting and is a chance to score a run and win a point.

11. When the batting team hit the ball, the fielding team has to defend and try to get three players in the opposing team out.

12. Unlike other team sports, in baseball, the team playing defense has the ball.

13. When the defense gets three opposing players out it becomes their turn to have a go at scoring runs. They switch to batting.

14. A run is when a player makes it past first, second and third base, making it back to the home plate before three outs are scored.

15. The winning team in a game of baseball is the side that scores most runs.

16. At the end of the nine innings the team with the most runs wins. If it is a draw then they must play more innings until there is a winner.

17. The home team is the team that pitches first at the start of a game of baseball, and the visiting team bat.

18. Only one player bats at any one time.

19. The fielding team positions are pitcher, catcher, first baseman, second baseman, shortstop and third baseman. There are three outfielders at right, left and centre field.

20. The baseball field, also known as "the diamond" consists of the infield and outfield.

21. The four bases are in the infield.

22. The outfield is the section of the field beyond the infield and the foul lines.

23. The foul lines run from the home plate to the first base and from the home base to the third base. The ground around these lines is called the "foul territory".

24. If a batter hits a ball and it goes between the foul lines, it is called a "fair ball". The batter and runners can then run around the bases and try to score.

25. A ball that flies outside these foul lines is called a "foul ball".

26. A player can stay at any of the bases if they don't think they can get to the next base without getting tagged out.

27. A tag out is when a player running from base to base after batting is touched by one of the opposing team before they can get safely to a base. The fielder (person tagging) must have the ball in his hand or glove when he makes contact with the base runner.

28. A home run is when a batter hits the ball in such a way that he can then run safely round all the bases and reach home base.

29. A game series is when two teams play two or more consecutive games together. A professional baseball season involves a series schedule, with three or four games per game series.

Find out all about the history of the baseball game.

30. Baseball seems to have evolved from two sports, the classic British game of rounders, and cricket.

31. There are 18th century references to games like baseball being played in the United States and by the time the American Revolution happened, baseball-like games were popular around the country.

32. In September 1845, Alexander Joy Cartwright of the New York Knickerbocker Baseball Club codified a set of rules which went on to form the blueprint for modern baseball. The infield shaped like a diamond, the three strike rule and foul lines were all set in place during this time.

33. Cartwright also did away with the practice of throwing balls at runners to tag them, which was dangerous.

34. Cartwright's reforms made baseball both more challenging and more fast paced. Baseball started to move further away from games like cricket and rounders.

35. In 1846 the first baseball game was played between the New York Knickerbocker Baseball Club and a group of cricket players.

36. The first World Series took place in 1903 in which AL Boston defeated Pittsburgh five games to three. Over 100,000 baseball fans turned out to watch this historic baseball game.

37. The first World Series was organised to promote unity in baseball and put an end to rivalries between teams.

38. Founded in 1903, MLB, or Major League Baseball, is one of the oldest professional sporting organisations in the United States.

39. Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball playing in the world.

40. Major League Baseball was originally named the National League of Professional Baseball Clubs.

41. The Cincinnati Red Stockings, or the Cincinnati Reds, were the first professional baseball team, founded in 1869.

42. The Major League Baseball organization uses the date the Cincinnati Reds were founded, as the founding year for professional baseball.

43. The Cincinnati Reds were so called because of the red knee socks they wore! The Cincinnati Reds have won five world series titles to date.

44. Minor League Baseball was formed on 1 September 1901.

45. Minor League Baseball is the hierarchy of baseball leagues that play below the MLB level of attainment.

46. Many players go from playing minor league baseball to playing in the major leagues as they progress in their careers.

All the most amazing fun and weird baseball facts out there. Who holds the record for most World Series titles? How long does the average game last? Read on to find out!

47. During WWII the American army used the baseball as the inspiration for a new grenade they were designing, with the rationale that any young man should be able to throw it easily, being the same shape and size as a baseball.

48. MLB (Major League Baseball) balls are rubbed in a special mud to improve their grip and make them less shiny.

49. Lena Blackburne Baseball Rubbing Mud is the only mud used since the '30s on MLB balls and this mud is only found in a special secret location.

50. Johnny Bench, former American baseball player, could hold seven baseballs in one hand!

51. The longest baseball game in history lasted 26 innings.

52. The 26 innings took three hours and 50 minutes to complete.

53. On 1 May 1920 the Brooklyn Robins and the Boston Braves drew with a 1-1 tie. The game was called once it was too dark to play anymore. The first pitch took place at three o'clock in the afternoon, and 26 innings later, the game was called just before seven o'clock.

54. During a baseball game, approximately 70 balls are used.

55. Japan has the biggest professional baseball league outside of the United States.

56. The baseball glove is the most revised piece of sporting equipment in the world. Baseball gloves have grown larger and larger over the years and a pocket to help catch the ball was introduced in the '20s.

57. The Boston Red Sox player Jimmy Piersall ran all the bases backwards as a celebration of his 100th home run.

58. The New York Yankees hold the record for most World Series titles wins, having won 26 times.

59. Mickey Mantle, former New York Yankees right fielder, holds the record for most career home runs.

60. The Seattle Mariners broke the American League record for most wins in one season in 2001 with 116 wins, but broke the record for most games lost in 2019, with 29 out of 43 games lost!

61. The Seattle Mariners have never won a World Series title and unfortunately the Seattle Mariners ended 2020 on a losing record of 30 out of 44 seasons!

62. Baseball games last on average three hours and nine minutes.

63. The Atlanta Braves are the oldest MLB baseball team, founded in 1871. However, they originated in Boston and used to be called the Boston Braves!

64. They were known as the Boston Braves for most of the first half of the 20th century and only became the Atlanta Braves on moving to Atlanta in 1966.

65. The Los Angeles Dodgers used to be called the Brooklyn Dodgers, as they were established in 1883 in Brooklyn. The LA Dodgers are one of the most legendary MLB franchises ever.

66. The San Francisco Giants were also founded in 1883 and are one of the oldest and most successful teams of all time. They have scored more wins than any team ever in the history of American sport.

67. Fenway Park is the oldest MLB stadium, and was opened in 1912.

68. There is a single red seat at Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox. This lone red seat commemorates the longest home run ever hit there, measuring 502 feet.

69. The St Louis Cardinals are one of the most successful and popular teams in the major leagues.

70. The St Louis Cardinals have won 11 World Series Championships, second only to the New York Yankees in the MLB.

71. The St Louis Cardinals are famous for their avid fanbase, and draw huge turnouts to all their games.

72. New Jersey doesn't have an MLB baseball team. New Jersey residents mainly root for the Yankees, or support the state's minor league teams.

73. The "Star Spangled Banner" had its first ever performance at a sporting event on 5 September, 1918 during Game One of the World Series played between the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs.

74. Visiting teams wear gray kits to distinguish them from the home team.

75. The tradition of dressing in gray when playing away from home dates back to the late 19th century, when teams had no opportunity to wash their kits away from home, so wore gray to hide the dirt.

76. Baseballs have 108 double stitches hand sewn into them.

77. A baseball can only withstand six pitches before it has to be replaced.

78. A typical game goes through five or six dozen balls.

79. About 25,500,000 hotdogs and 5,508,900 sausages are sold every year at MLB games.

80. A baseball season is made up of 162 games.

81. The New York Yankees hold the record for most Hall of Fame players, with 27.

82. The shortest MLB game ever lasted just 51 minutes.

Find out all about the fascinating history of the American baseball game during the roaring '20s.

83. Baseball was extremely popular in the United States during the '20s, and was a national pastime.

84. During the '20s, baseball was the most watched and most played sport in America.

85. Babe Ruth, New York Yankees right fielder, was the most celebrated athlete in America during his heyday.

86. Babe Ruth hit more home runs than any athlete before him and had American baseball fans enthralled with his exuberant personality.

87. The '20s saw a boom in interest in baseball for several reasons, including the fact that radios were now being mass produced which meant that people could follow the games from their own homes.

88. Newspapers began to feature dedicated sports sections solely covering baseball, as professional football was still getting off the ground, and basketball was not yet a professional sport.

89. Baseball was sadly segregated in the '20s, with new leagues being established at the start of the decade, enabling great African-American players to play professionally.

Who invented the first baseball bat? What actually is a baseball bat and what do you do with it?

90. Baseball bats are used to hit the ball after the pitcher has thrown it.

91. In the early days of the sport, baseball players would make their own bats, get a carpenter to make them one out of hardwood, or improvise with whatever was to hand.

92. Mass produced bats weren't available until the end of the 19th century.

93. The modern baseball bat was invented by 17-year-old  woodworking apprentice John A "Bud" Hillerich.

94. In 1884, Bud went to see the Louisville Eclipse, his local team play. When the star player's bat broke in the middle of the game, Bud said he'd make him a new one. He went back to the workshop and spent all night making the player a new bat. The next day the player scored three hits with his new bat, and this was the birth of the famous Louisville Slugger brand of bat.

95. Baseball bats are smooth metal or wooden rods used to hit the ball after it's thrown by the pitcher in a game of baseball.

96. Its thickest part has to be less than two and a half inches in diameter and it can't be more than 42 inches long.

97. Baseball bats usually weigh around four pounds.

98. Baseball bats are usually wooden.

99.  Aluminium bats are banned from MLB games because the ball flies much faster after being hit by a metal bat and this can endanger the pitcher.

100. Metal bats are sometimes used in amateur play but wooden bats are obligatory in professional games.

Find out all about some of the greatest sports professionals of the 20th century.

101. Babe Ruth is one of the most iconic baseball players in the sport's history.

102. Considered by many to be the greatest baseball player of all time, Babe Ruth is one of the greatest sports personalities in American sporting history.

103. Babe was one of the first five players honored in the Baseball Hall of Fame, and was renowned for his home run records and his slugging capacity.

104. Babe Ruth hit 714 home runs in his career. Only two athletes have broken his record since his last game in 1935.

105. Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play in Major League Baseball.

106. Jackie Robinson's first professional MLB game for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 broke the baseball color line, whereby black players were excluded from playing in MLB games.

107. Jackie Robinson was the first black player to win the National League Most Valuable Player Award. Jackie Robinson was also the first black TV commentator of MLB games.

108. Martin Luther King Jr. said of Jackie Robinson that he was "a legend and a symbol in his own time".

109. Jackie Mitchell was one of the first female pitchers to play in professional baseball.

110. At just 17 years old, Jackie Mitchell stepped in as pitcher in a New York Yankees and Chattanooga Lookouts game. She struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in succession.

111. Cal Ripken Jr., nicknamed "The Iron Man" played 2,632 consecutive games over 21 seasons, breaking Lou Gehrig's 'unbeatable' 56 year-record of 2,130.

112. A no-hitter is when the pitcher is so skilled that the batter doesn't get a chance to hit the ball at all.

113. A no-hitter is incredibly difficult to achieve. Only 303 no-hitters have been recorded out of the more than 210,000 major league games played since 1876.

114. Ray Chapman is the only baseball player to have died as a result of an injury sustained during a major league game.

115. Chapman was hit on the head by a ball and died 12 hours later in hospital. His death prompted the introduction, 30 years later, of batting helmets. He was hit by a spitball, which is a ball slicked with spit or vaseline. Often, spitballs were rubbed in dirt or tobacco juice to make them the same color as the pitch, making them difficult to see.

116. Effa Louise Manley is the first and only female player inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame for her achievements as co-executive of the Newark Eagles and for her civil rights work.

117. You don't have to be a giant to play baseball, Edward Card played in the major leagues and was under four feet tall.

118. Edward Card's autograph is now more valuable than Babe Ruth's.

119. Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. were father and son and played together in 1990 for the Seattle Mariners. They hit consecutive homeruns on 14 September 1990, a first in MLB baseball.

120. Toni Stone was the first black woman ever to play in the a baseball league.

121. Richie Ashburn once hit two back-to-back fouls which hit the same woman twice! The first time the ball hit the audience member in the nose, and as she was being carried off for medical attention, his next ball hit her again.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our baseball facts then why not take a look at our other facts pages, like our weather facts, or our really revolting gross facts

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