Most of us have heard the phrase 'Three strikes and you're out' but how much do we really know about the sport it originates from?

Baseball is as American as apple pie but in this British Overseas Territory where cricket is a national pastime, it may seem as foreign as snow and ice.

The game however, is becoming a big hit with the Island's youngsters, many of whom are 'batter-ing up' to this year's season of fixtures. The Bermuda Youth Sports Programme anticipates between 600-800 youngsters will sign up for its leagues this summer, with fixtures running between April 15 and June 15. The sports charity will have enough players to form 30-35 teams across its four divisions of T Ball, Rookie League, Little League and Senior (Major) League baseball.

Ric Williams, BYSP Baseball Commissioner, said: "All children are welcome, both locals and expats. We believe the skills they learn on the baseball field translate to life, in terms of their social lives and professional careers. It's a social sport but we work and practice hard, and when the games come round, you've got to play.

"Our goal would be to possibly have a national team in Bermuda to compete in the Little League World Series. Japan has won it, Cuba has won it, other island nations have won it, all beating the Americans at their own game."

The coach, who is a former catcher in US amateur leagues, explained that each game gets bigger and faster with each age group. Children start off with T Ball, which teaches them the basics of the game. Youngsters aged between five and seven hit the ball from atop a stationary platform and then run round a 'T' of bases. After a year they then progress to Rookie League, in which the bases are wider apart and a machine throws the ball across the home plate.

After three years, at ten, the youngster graduates from these developmental leagues into the more competitive Little League, which is similar to the adult game in that the child pitches the ball across the plate and a catcher stands behind the batter.

From the ages of 14-17, players then take part in Senior (Major) League. "It's faster and the children hit the ball harder. It's a much faster game," said Mr. Williams.

In baseball, there are four bases — a diamond — which the player has to reach in order to get a run. The fourth is called the home plate, but if the batter hits the ball out of the park this is a home run and the player can move round the bases uncontested.

In the game, the outfielders attempt to 'tag' the batters with the ball to get them out, or run them out of the bases — by reaching the base with the ball before the batter can get there.

The 'strike zone' is the area where the pitcher must throw the ball, and is an area from the top of the batter's knee caps to his or her chest. The ball must also cross the home plate.

Regarding the 'three strikes and you're out' rule, which covers Little League upwards, Mr. Williams said: "There are two ways to get a strike — if the ball crosses to the catcher and the umpire calls a strike, or if you swing at the ball and miss it.

"If it's not in the strike zone and so is not swung at, it's called a ball. If you get four balls before you get three strikes you get to stand on first base."

Stealing a base refers to the rule that once the ball crosses the home plate, the batter on first, second or third can run to the next base and it is up to the catcher to pass the ball onto the outfielders to get them out.

Baseball was first introduced to Bermuda by American military personnel on the US bases.

Mr. Williams, 47, from Charlotte, North Carolina, said: "Baseball came to the Island as the military bases were formed during the Second World War. It has been here for half a century or more.

"Baseball can help children to grow and to understand that you're not going to win every time, or lose every time, that you're not going to hit the ball every time but if you try you will see positive results. The game can enhance the spirit and bring an inner strength."

He said: "Participation has grown in recent years among Bermudians, and we are always looking for local sponsors! We emphasise the development of positive attitudes and self-esteem through participation rather than competition. The BYSP also emphasises teamwork and respect — respect for yourself, your teammates and coaches, your competitors and the game officials. Every participant gets equal playing time — again, participation is stressed above competition."

The BYSP plays baseball on fields donated by local schools, who also share their facilities, and this year the Parks Department is also allowing the charity the use of Bernard Park. The BYSP however, also depends on volunteers to make it run. The organisation runs up to 1,000 games and practices each year in baseball, basketball and soccer, catering for youngsters between the ages of five-17.

Mr. Williams's ten-year-old son Jack is one of the active participants.

"We need volunteers, referees, umpires and other helpers," said Mr. Williams.

Anyone interested in registering their child for baseball or who wants to volunteer, should contact Mr. Williams on 234 6519, or log onto: www.bysp.bm