Getting on base is a batter’s primary task, and the first step to scoring runs, which is the way to win — and lose — games. This is a list of the ways hitters can get on base, by either swinging or not swinging. Refer to the following whenever you can’t figure out why and how players are occupying bases that were empty a moment before
You hit a fair ball that isn’t caught by a fielder before it touches the ground.
You hit a fair ball that touches the ground and is caught by a fielder whose throw fails to beat you to a base.
The umpire calls four pitches out of the strike zone during your at-bat.
A pitch in the strike zone hits you without first touching your bat.
The catcher obstructs your swing.
You hit a fair ball beyond the playing field (for a home run).
You hit a fair, catchable ball, but the fielder drops the ball, throws it away, and so on.
A third strike skips past the catcher and you beat the throw to first.
