Editing Major League Baseball rules

'''Major League Baseball Rules and Regulations: A Synopsis'''

Major League Baseball (MLB) is a game played between two teams of nine players each, across nine innings. Teams alternate between offense (batting) and defense (fielding), aiming to score the most runs by the end of the game.

'''<big>Game Structure</big>'''

* '''Field''': The field consists of an infield diamond with four bases (first, second, third, and home plate) and a vast outfield. The bases are set in a square, each 90 feet apart.
* '''Innings''': MLB games are divided into nine innings. Each inning has a top and bottom half, with one team batting and the other fielding in each half. The visiting team bats first (top half), and the home team bats second (bottom half). If the game is tied after nine innings, extra innings are played until one team leads at the end of an inning.

'''<big>Scoring</big>'''

* '''Runs''': A run is scored when a player, starting from home plate, advances around all bases and returns to home plate without being put out by the defense.
* '''Hits''': Batters aim to hit the pitched ball into fair territory, which includes the infield and outfield within the foul lines, allowing them to reach a base or advance to score a run.

'''<big>Batting and Baserunning</big>'''

* '''At-Bats''': Batters face pitches from the pitcher and attempt to hit the ball. They can reach base through hits, walks (when four balls are pitched outside the strike zone), or other means such as being hit by a pitch.
* '''Outs''': Each team has three outs per half-inning, ending their turn at bat. Players are called out for various reasons, such as a strikeout (three strikes), fly-out (catching a hit ball before it touches the ground), or tag out (tagging a runner with the ball while off base).
* '''Stealing''': Runners may attempt to advance to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball, a move called a “steal.” The defense may try to throw the runner out if they attempt this.

'''<big> Pitching and Defense</big>''' 

* '''Strike Zone''': The strike zone is the area above home plate, from the batter’s knees to the midpoint of their torso. A pitch within this zone is a “strike” if the batter doesn’t swing, while a pitch outside this zone is a “ball.”
* '''Pitching Count''': The count refers to the number of balls and strikes a batter has. Four balls allow the batter to “walk” to first base, while three strikes result in an out.
* '''Fielding''': The defense aims to prevent runs by getting batters or runners out. Fielders can catch fly balls, throw out runners, or tag players to achieve this.

'''<big> Penalties and Violations</big>''' 

* '''Errors''': A fielding error occurs when a defensive player misplays a ball, allowing a batter or runner to reach base. Errors are recorded statistically but do not result in penalties.
* '''Balk''': A balk is an illegal pitching motion or fake that deceives the batter or runner. When called, all base runners advance one base.

'''<big> Time and Substitutions</big>''' 

* '''Pitch Clock''': MLB has introduced a pitch clock to speed up play, with pitchers required to start their pitch within a set time.
* '''Substitutions''': Substitutes can replace any player, but once removed, players cannot reenter the game.

'''<big> Extra Innings and Tiebreakers</big>''' 
If the game is tied after nine innings, extra innings are played until one team leads at the end of an inning. MLB uses the “ghost runner” rule, placing a runner on second base at the start of each extra inning to increase scoring chances.

The goal is to score more runs than the opposing team using a combination of strategic batting, precise fielding, and skillful pitching, all within the structured MLB rules that ensure fair and competitive play.
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<span style="font-size: 10px">{{Main
|Prompt=Now, please provide a one-page synopsis of the rules and regulations of Major League Baseball.}}</span>
[[Category:Baseball]]