Baseball vs Cricket: Which is the better bat-and-ball sport and why?

Baseball vs Cricket: Which is the better bat-and-ball sport and why?

Sospeter Itolondo
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:12 PM

These are two different sports with many similarities that could confuse the normal eye. The war between Baseball vs Cricket fans has always been in the air, with cricket fans stating that cricket is more widely accepted worldwide. Baseball fans also boast of the game's fast gain in popularity and its sophisticated approach. The Indian Cricket Team and the British are among the most prolific cricket teams. Read on to understand the history of these two great sports.

Baseball vs cricket popularity
A cricket ball( left) and a baseball ball( right). Photo: Peter Dazeley for the Cricket ball and Krisanapong Detraphiphat for the Baseball ball( modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Baseball has been identified mostly as an American sport, while cricket has been a world favourite for a while. The game of Baseball is shorter than a cricket game. However, both games have legendary athletes who have shown the world what they can do, such as MS Dhoni, Brian Lara, and Sachin Tendulkar for cricket. Some commendable names in baseball include Babr Ruth, Mike Trout, Willy Mays and Ty Cobb.

Cricket

Governing body

International Cricket Council

Established

the 16th century

Players per team

11

Field shape

Oval

Baseball

Governing body

World Baseball Softball Confederation

Established

18th century in England and the 19th century in the United States

Players per team

9

Field shape

Triangular

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Baseball vs cricket ball

On average, a Baseball is larger than a cherry, the name given to a cricket ball. It measures between 9 and 9.25 inches, while the cherry is usually smaller than 9 inches in circumference. However, Baseball usually weighs lower than a cherry. The latter weighs 5.75 ounces, while the prior weighs 5.75 ounces.

Baseball vs cricket field

The baseball field is more triangular than the cricket field's generally oval shape. In the latter's field, the wicket is found near the centre of the field. This is the point of the field where the most action takes place. While in Baseball, the home plate is found on the apex of the triangular field. The cricket field is also way bigger than the baseball pitch.

Baseball vs cricket field
A photo of the cricket field in Kumeu, New Zealand( top) and a professional baseball field( bottom). Photo: Nazar Abbas Photography ( top) and Grant Faint( bottom)( modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Baseball vs cricket ball hardness

Cherries are harder than baseball balls. The Baseball is made of cork or rubber and may be layered, while the cricket ball is made of cork string and is covered by red leather. The hardness of the cherry makes it have an unpredictable bounce. Therefore, it is only replaced after 80 overs, while the baseball one is replaced regularly.

Baseball vs cricket popularity

Cricket is more popular than Baseball. It boasts over 2 billion fans worldwide, while its competitor has only 500 million fans. However, both games enjoy great popularity worldwide.

Baseball vs cricket differences

The two sports have some very slight differences. Here are some differences between the two bat games:

Cricket

Baseball

A pitch is a space between two wickets

A pitch is a ball made by a pitcher

The field is more oval shaped

It has a diamond-shaped field

It has three different formats that are tests, one-day and twenty-twenty.

There is one format but played in 9 innings.

Each team has 11 players

Each team has nine players

Played all over the world

Played mainly in the USA, Japan and Cuba

A score counts when running through the whole length of the wicket or hitting the ball way past the boundary rope.

A score counts when a run is made around the bases or when the ball is hit beyond the designated field.

Most of the action happens on a wicket at the centre of the pitch.

The home plate is at the apex of the field.

Baseball vs cricket similarities

Baseball vs cricket similarities
Marco Jansen in action for South Africa against India during the 3rd One Day International match on 11th October 2022 in Delhi, India. Photo: Pankaj Nangia
Source: Getty Images

The two games are more similar than they are different, so much that they confuse most people. Here are some of the most notable similarities between the two sports:

  • They are both bat and ball games.
  • Scores are called runs.
  • They are both summer sports.
  • They have large outfields with a sort of boundary rope that protects the outfielders from crashing while trying to get a hold of the ball.
  • Both have balls made from cork core.

Which is harder, between a baseball and a cricket ball?

The cherry is harder than the baseball. This is due to the materials that make up the cherry and the nature of their placement in the ball.

Are cricket balls hard?

They are very hard. For example, a cricket player needs harder hands that are less prone to injury to ensure they catch and hold the ball when it approaches them.

Baseball vs cricket ball hardness
Each Cricket team has 11 players and a Baseball team has nine players. Photo: Chris Stein
Source: Getty Images

Which ball is used in IPL?

The IPL uses the white Kookaburra ball. Some balls have an air dried inner core, a 4 piece Alum Tanned Indian leather cover, and a 5 layered and quilted centre. Other balls have a 5 layered quilted centre, and weigh around 140 grams. Some balls are made with Australian leather and steer hide with layered construction encasings with layers of cork wound with Worsted yarn with rubber nucleus.

Why is a cricket ball so hard?

The ball is hard due to the highly compact nature of its materials. They have been wound up many times. The leather also makes it much harder and shinier.

How heavy is a cricket ball?

An average cricket ball is about 5.5 ounces or 155.9 g. Therefore, the heaviest the ball can be is 163g. The ball's weight enables it to swing well when hit and land well in the receiver's hand.

Baseball vs cricket ball
A photo of a red cricket ball and bails with a white background. Photo: Peter Dazeley
Source: Getty Images

Is a cricket ball made of wood?

Most cherries are made from layers of twins stuffed around a cork core. There are six rows of stitches. The nature of the ball gives the athletes an advantage as aerodynamic qualities are enhanced.

The argument of cricket vs baseball and which is the better sport seems a never-ending argument; however, the sports are more similar than different. Despite cricket's worldwide acceptance and popularity, baseball is gaining ground and becoming a favourite. The two sports also boast of a growing female franchise that is attracting eyes and distributing the love of the game for all people.

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