When: October 4-8, 3:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Where: Main Campus Football Field
Registration: Student Dormitories Sports Hall
 A new academic year
is beginning with brand-new activities at Bilkent. All of us have seen the game of
baseball on TV, mostly in American movies. Now you have the opportunity to see baseball in
person.
Baseball coach Steve Mc Brain, a member of the Turkish Baseball and Softball Federation,
is traveling around Turkey to organize baseball clinics introducing the sport to those who
are interested. Baseball clinic sessions will take place at Bilkent from October
4-8. They will begin after the end of the class day and last for three hours. It
doesn't matter if you have no clue about baseball. Anyone interested in learning is
welcome to these clinics.
Some of you might wonder about the name of the federation. We all know what baseball is,
but what about softball? While baseball is generally played by men, softball is usually
played by women. In softball a larger, softer ball and a lighter bat are used. Both games
are played with two teams of nine players each. The field has four "bases"
arranged in a diamond shape. One team goes onto the field in defensive positions, and the
other team sends players to "home plate" to bat one at a time. The game begins
when the pitcher throws the ball to the batter. The batter tries to get "on
base" with a "hit." His teammates will try to advance him around the bases
to score a "run." A game has nine "innings." Each team has a turn to
bat during each inning.
"What we are trying to do is to develop a program [promoting baseball] as a sports
activity, so that in the near future you can have matches in the schools. What we want is
to develop a national baseball and softball team. This is just the beginning," said
Steve McBrain in explaining the federation's aim for future. Why not? Let's give it a try
and see!
Pınar Yıldız (CS/III)
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