Home run facts for kids
A home run is an exciting play in baseball! It happens when a batter hits the ball so well that they can run around all four bases and score a point for their team. The best part is, they do this without any mistakes from the other team.
The most common type of home run is when the batter hits the ball out of the playing field. This usually means the ball flies over the outfield fence. But remember, it has to land in "fair territory" for it to count. If it goes over the fence but is a "foul ball," it's not a home run.
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What is a Home Run?
A home run is a big deal in baseball. It means the batter has hit the ball far enough to reach home plate safely. This scores at least one run for their team. It can also score more runs if other players are already on base.
When a home run is hit, all players on base, including the batter, get to run to home plate. They score a run for each player who reaches home. This makes home runs very powerful plays in a game.
Types of Home Runs
There are two main ways a home run can happen. The most common is hitting the ball out of the park. The other is called an "inside-the-park" home run.
Over-the-Fence Home Run
This is what most people think of when they hear "home run." The batter hits the ball high and far. It flies over the outfield fence or wall. This means the ball is out of play. The batter and any runners on base can then walk around the bases to score.
Inside-the-Park Home Run
An inside-the-park home run is rarer and very exciting! It happens when the batter hits the ball, and it stays inside the park. But the ball is hit so well that the batter can run around all four bases. They must reach home plate before the defense can get them out. This has to happen without any errors from the fielding team. It often involves a very fast runner and a ball hit into a tricky part of the field.
Images for kids
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Sadaharu Oh, pictured here in 2006, holds the officially verified all-time world home run record in professional baseball.
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Scooter Gennett had four home runs in a 2017 game, nearly completing a home run cycle.
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Graph depicting the yearly number of home runs (blue line), and stolen bases (pink line) per MLB game from 1900 to 2008.
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The Polo Grounds left field foul line with guide rope, as seen from upper deck, 1917
See also
In Spanish: Home run para niños
