baseball reference
The goal of baseball is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four markers called bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot square, or diamond. [1]
It may be the national pastime, but Major League Baseball (MLB) is also a big business. [2]
Whether you’re looking to settle a bet with a friend, or just curious about America’s “national pastime” in the months leading up to the World Series, the reference collection contains a few books of note that will give you the scoop on baseball statistics, leagues and much more. [...] Baseball Reference Provides online access to statistics, past results and standings, schedules, awards, and information on former players and managers. [3]
Players on one team (the offense) take turns hitting while the other team (the defense) tries to stop them from scoring runs by getting hitters out in any of several ways. [1]
The two leagues remained distinct, in as far as playing schedule, except for the annual All-Star Game and the World Series, until 1997 when regular season Interleague play began. [2]
In North America, professional Major League Baseball teams are divided into the National League (NL) and American League (AL). [...] The modern version of the game developed in North America beginning in the eighteenth century. [...] The 117th meeting of the International Olympic Committee, held in Singapore in July 2005, voted not to hold baseball and softball tournaments at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, but they will remain Olympic sports during the 2008 Summer Olympic Games and will be put to vote again for each succeeding Summer Olympics. [1]
Traditionally, statistics such as batting average (the number of hits divided by the number of at bats) and earned run average (approximately the number of runs allowed by a pitcher per nine innings) have dominated attention in the statistical world of baseball. [4]
Find a diamond in the rough with minor league free agent Batting and Pitching Sortable Leaders. [5]
In the late 1880s, the Detroit Wolverines and Washington Nationals of the National League and the Brooklyn Bridegrooms of the American Association were the first to utilise striped uniforms. [...] Clubs now had the ability to enforce player contracts, preventing players from jumping to higher-paying clubs. [2]
Sports Reference Store: Baseball-Reference.com T-Shirts, Hats and more. [5]
Many statistics are also available from outside of Major League Baseball, from leagues such as the National Association and the Negro Leagues. [4]
Sources:
[1] Reference for Baseball - Search.com
[2] Major League Baseball: Information from Answers.com
[3] Baseball Facts
[4] Baseball statistics encyclopedia topics | Reference.com
[5] Baseball-Reference.com