Baseball is played between two teams with nine players in the field on each team. On a baseball field, the game is under authority of several umpires. There are usually four umpires in major league games; up to six (and as few as one) may officiate depending on the league and the importance of the game. There are four bases. Numbered counterclockwise, first, second and third bases are cushions (sometimes informally referred to as bags) shaped as 15 in (38 cm) squares which are raised a short distance above the ground; together with home plate, the fourth "base," they form a square with sides of 90 ft (27.4 m) called the diamond. Home base (usually called home plate) is a pentagonal rubber slab 17 in (43.2 cm) wide. The playing field is divided into three main sections.
