"Top of the inning" is a baseball term that refers to the first half of an inning, where the visiting team takes the offensive role and attempts to score runs against the home team's defensive players. It is called the "top" as it represents the initial portion of the inning, while the "bottom of the inning" refers to the latter half.
During the top of the inning, the visiting team's batters step up to the plate in a predetermined order, attempting to hit the baseball thrown by the opposing team's pitcher. The objective is to hit the ball into fair territory and advance bases, allowing runners to progress safely through each base until scoring a run by crossing home plate.
While on the offensive, the visiting team tries to accumulate as many runs as possible, utilizing strategic actions like base hits, doubles, triples, or home runs. At the same time, the home team focuses on preventing the visiting team from scoring by making efficient defensive plays, such as catching fly balls, fielding grounders, tagging runners, or throwing them out at the bases.
The duration of the top of the inning varies based on the offensive team's success in scoring runs and the efficiency of the defense in making outs. Once three outs are recorded, or the offensive team willingly decides to end their at-bat, the game progresses to the bottom of the inning, where the roles switch, and the home team takes their turn on offense.
