Sports

Some blame it on the spectators themselves, others on the railing heights.

By Alison Cooper

Despite what team owners may say, the payment makes more sense psychologically than economically.

By Dave Roos

Miniature golf is a classic family outing and beach vacation tradition. It's almost like a cartoon version of regular golf. Who would come up with such an idea?

By Debra Ronca

OK, fine. Referees and umpires are human beings who make human mistakes. But why do they always have to make their human mistakes against our team? Here are 10 bad sports calls we're still debating.

By Dave Roos

The cost of hosting the Olympic Games has risen astronomically, but some cities are willing to foot the bill in exchange for increased tourism and better infrastructure. But what happens when it doesn't pay off? Here are 10 cautionary tales.

By Laurie L. Dove

Baseball: It seems so deceptively simple. And then you try to explain it to someone who's not familiar with the game. And then you get even crazier and start ranting about the fourth out in a sport that's supposed to have only three.

By Nicholas Gerbis

Jackie Robinson is rightfully lauded for breaking Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947. But there were many unsung players who paved the way for Robinson's momentous breakthrough.

By Chris Opfer

Who's on first? And how did he get there? Believe it or not, there are dozens of ways for baseball players to get to first base.

By Laurie L. Dove

Baseball is a game of inches, and umpires hold the tape measure. Sometimes they succeed, other times not. When they don't, it's not hyperbole to say that umpires are perhaps the most vilified people in sports.

By John Perritano

Don't feel frustrated if you find the infield fly rule tricky to figure out. Even umpires sometimes get confused by it. Here's why.

By Patrick J. Kiger

This is one of those rituals with a dozen different "surefire" recipes. We'll look at what really works – and what's only half-baked – when it comes to breaking in a baseball glove.

By Julia Layton

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

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

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

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

By John Perritano

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

By Chris Opfer

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