This is the most popular sport in Canada, Cuba, the United States, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, all participating in the Pan American Games. The opposing team sends a batter to the home plate to hit the ball the pitcher throws. The pitcher’s objective is to strike the batter out with his overhand pitch. The batter’s objective is to hit the ball and run past each base to score.  It is played by two teams of nine players each, on a diamond-shaped natural or artificial grass field connected by four bases. Baseball games are divided in nine innings with three outs per inning. If there is a tie a the end of the nine innings, the match is extended until there is a winner. 

Before Lima 2019, Cuba was at the top of the medal table with 12 gold medals. These competitions took place at the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Center.

Keywords

Bases loaded: When there is a runner on 1st, 2nd and 3rd base.

Diamond: The field of play.

Home run: The most common way is when the batter hits the ball and it leaves the field of play, so a complete circuit of the bases can be made without stopping to score.

Grand slam: When the bases are loaded and the batter hits a home run.

Strike: A pitch that is swung at and missed by the batter. A consequence of not hitting into the valid field of play or not hitting the ball.

Out: It is known in Spanish as “ponche”. When a pitcher throws three strikes to one batter, resulting in the batter’s return to the bench.