Sports

Sports are an integral part of our culture and give many of us a reason to cheer and jeer. Learn about the history of sports and how your favorite sports really work.

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What causes the yips?

They may sound like a group of characters in a Dr. Seuss book, but the yips are actually a serious malady for many athletes. What's behind this bewildering problem?

By John Perritano Baseball / The Basics

Spring training reminds fans of how baseball used to be – cozy ball fields, lower prices and players willing to sign autographs and chat a little. But spring training is also a multimillion dollar tourist attraction for Florida and Arizona.

By Dave Roos Baseball / The Basics

How Baseball Bats Work

A well-known baseball poem celebrates "the sound of the crack of a bat." What makes baseball bats crack – and break? And how do you find the sweet spot?

By Patrick J. Kiger Baseball / The Basics

Do men really schedule their vasectomies during March Madness?

Some combos make sense to us. There's Homer and Marge. Bagels and cream cheese. Vasectomies and March Madness. Wait, what?

By John Perritano Basketball / The Basics

How the Negro Leagues Worked

The Negro Leagues may have been borne out of discrimination, but for generations of African-American ballplayers, they offered a real chance at fame and autonomy. How did the leagues start, and how was the color line finally broken?

By Julia Layton Baseball / The Basics

The Greatest Olympians of All Time

Their athletic feats are the stuff of legend. Their dedication and fortitude boggle the minds of mere mortals. See the photos and learn the stories of 16 competitors who rose to the podium as they represented their countries in global competition.

Sports / Olympics

Say it Ain't So, Joe: 10 Infamous Sports Cheating Scandals

From the start of professional sports, there have been scandals, but some remain in the public consciousness more than others. Here are 10 we can't forget.

By Becky Striepe Sports / Other Sports

5 Most Expensive Baseball Cards in the World

It's just a piece of cardboard with a picture of a baseball player on it, right? If you look at some of the price tags on these rare mementos, along with some of the history behind them, you'd think twice.

By Jeff Harder Baseball / The Basics

How the World Series Works

Baseball's biggest stage, the World Series, takes place in the fall between the American League and National League champions. How do you get to the October Classic?

By Brian Boone Baseball / The Basics

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Baseball is known as the great American pastime. Learn about some of baseball's most famous -- and infamous -- players and teams.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors Baseball / The Basics

How Baseball's National League Works

Major League Baseball is made up of two different leagues: the American League and the National League. How did the National League get its start, and how has it thrived to this day?

By Dave Roos Baseball / The Basics

What's the difference between the American and National Baseball Leagues?

Most baseball fans know about the existence of Major League Baseball and the two leagues that comprise it. But do most fans know about the one major difference between them?

By Linda C. Brinson Baseball / The Basics

Quick Reference: Baseball Positions and Their Equipment

Baseball has a lot of fans, but how many of them know exactly what a player does once he takes the field? Do they know what they use to do their jobs? Here's a primer.

By Linda C. Brinson Baseball / The Basics

What's the obstruction rule in baseball?

Without the obstruction rule, Major League Baseball would be more of a contact sport -- or even resemble the NFL. But what exactly is off limits?

By Mark Boyer Baseball / The Basics

What is a balk?

It's probably one of the most confusing rules in baseball -- the balk. So what is it and why is it so hard to understand?

By Mark Boyer Baseball / The Basics

When should you overrun first base?

It's hard to truly gun it for first if you're worried about screeching to a halt once you get there. What are the rules regarding overrunning first base?

By Clint Pumphrey Baseball / The Basics

Baseball Hits: Fair or Foul?

What determines whether a ball is fair or foul? And who determines it?

By Chris Opfer Baseball / The Basics

What are the 9 baseball positions?

For those who find baseball as exciting as watching paint dry, knowing a little something about the sport just might increase your interest level. Let's start off with a basic explanation of the nine positions.

By Caitlin Uttley Baseball / The Basics

What's a double play in baseball?

A double play is any combination of two outs in one single play. So how do the fielders make that happen?

By Chris Opfer Baseball / The Basics

Why does the strike zone change in baseball?

The strike zone is one of the most subjective and disputed elements in the game of baseball. Why is that?

By Caitlin Uttley Baseball / The Basics

What's an error in baseball?

Anything called an error can't be good. But if it doesn't directly affect the score of a game, then why does it even exist? And how do you make one?

By Clint Pumphrey Baseball / The Basics

5 Worst Cases of the Yips in Baseball

Everyone expects professional athletes to make a mistake once and while. But what happens when a player seems to lose their talent almost completely, suddenly and for no good reason?

By Christopher Neiger Baseball / The Basics

10 Must-see Fields to Visit Before You Die

Maybe you feel the cold hand of death creeping toward you at this very moment; or maybe you think you've got some time before the final strike is called. Either way, see these fields before you go.

By Jamie Page Deaton Baseball / The Basics

What is a foul-tip?

A foul-tip is an unusual sight in baseball -- to begin with, the batter has to foul the ball directly back to the catcher's mitt. If he catches it, it's a strike, not a foul. What rules govern this weird play?

By Melanie Radzicki McManus Baseball / The Basics

What are the rules of the first base running lane?

Ever wonder why players sometimes run outside the first-base running lane in baseball without getting called out? As it turns out, the rules of that road aren't always clear.