Morocco’s new Solar Project to Generate 2000MWs

Morocco is a North African country with no oil reserves. But nature has endowed this country with another bounty i.e. over 3000 hours of sunshine per year. Now they are aiming to undertake an ambitious plan of producing 40% of their energy needs via solar energy. They will spend $9 billion to generate 2000MWs of energy by 2020. It will require 5 solar power stations to produce 2000MWs of energy. These power stations will be situated in the regions of Ouarzazate, Ain Bni Mathar, Foum Al Oued, Boujdour and Sebkhat Tah. The first station is expected to become operational by 2015.

Morocco’s Finance Minister Salaheddine Mezouar wants the world to perceive Morocco as an environmentally friendly country. He said, “The project sends a very clear message in the current situation, which is dominated by the need to face up to the challenges of climate change.” The minister added that “Morocco is determined to protect the environment in all its future projects.”

Morocco’s authorities are assured of the success of this project. Energy Minister Amina Benkhadra makes a promise, “This is a bold but realistic project. We will guarantee all the technical and financial resources to make it succeed.”
This country’s politicians are eager to cut its dependence of foreign oil and gas imports and save money and to leave green footprints in the sands of time. For the project, Morocco is mobilizing multiple financing sources and partners. Morocco can get help for this project from the World Bank, the European Commission, and Germany and Desertec. Desertec is a coalition of 13 energy and technology companies aiming for a renewable energy grid in Africa and afterward shipping the energy to Europe. Desertec was founded in 2009. Their organization’s focus is on alternative power generation using wind and sunlight. They want to construct a series of concentrated solar power (CSP), photovoltaic (PV) and wind projects in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Said Mouline is the director of Morocco’s Centre for Renewable Energy Development. He says, “This project will help Morocco reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 3.7 million tonnes of CO2. This will help us play our role in mitigation of climate change.” He said again, “Clean energy projects such as this will create many new jobs in the areas selected for the solar plants as well as boost the country’s scientific expertise in the field of solar energy.”
Now the Arab countries are waking up to the reality of oil reserves. They too want to trap the power of alternative sources of energy. Algeria, Qatar, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria and Tunisia are all making fruitful efforts to utilize the power of sunlight. Israel is already using solar power successfully in many areas such as water heating systems. Israel is also earning reputation as a world leader in innovating solar energy solutions. Morocco might seek help of Israel on this ambitious project too.
The Energy Minister stressed that they will use the state-of-the-art technology available in the market. She says, “We look for the most sophisticated technology available in the world to use for this project.”
Ali Fassi Fihri is the Chairman of ONE, Morocco’s power utility. He shares his opinion, “The project would add in terms of power generation the equivalent of the current electricity consumption of the country’s commercial capital Casablanca.”

Earth Day 2015 – Focus on Green Cities »

    

Renewable Energy in Morocco

  By Salman Zafar | April 19, 2014 - 4:44 am | Africa, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Wind Energy

Morocco, being the largest energy importer in North Africa, is making concerted efforts to reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels. Renewable energy is an attractive proposition as Morocco has almost complete dependence on imported energy carriers. Morocco is already spending over US$3 billion a year on fuel and electricity imports and is experiencing power demand growth of 6.5 per cent a year. 

According to the Moroccan Ministry of Energy and Mining, the total installed capacity of renewable energy (excluding hydropower) was approximately 300MW in 2011. The Moroccan Government has already achieved its target of supplying around 8% of total primary energy from renewables by 2012 which includes energy generation, conversion and distribution. Morocco is planning USD13 billion expansion of wind, solar and hydroelectric power generation capacity which would catapult the share of renewables in the energy mix to 42% by the year 2020, with solar, wind and hydro each contributing 14%. 

Morocco Solar Program

Morocco has launched one of the world’s largest and most ambitious solar energy plan with investment of USD 9billion. The Moroccan Solar Plan is regarded as a milestone on the country’s path towards a secure and sustainable energy supply which is clean, green and affordable. The aim of the plan is to generate 2,000 megawatts (or 2 gigawatts) of solar power by the year 2020 by building mega-scale solar power projects at five location — Laayoune (Sahara), Boujdour (Western Sahara), Tarfaya (south of Agadir), Ain Beni Mathar (center) and Ouarzazate — with modern solar thermal, photovoltaic and concentrated solar power mechanisms.

The first plant, under the Moroccan Solar Plan, will be commissioned in 2014, and the entire project is expected to be complete in 2019. Once completed, the solar project is expected to provide almost one-fifth of Morocco’s annual electricity generation. Morocco, the only African country to have a power cable link to Europe, is also a key player in Mediterranean Solar Plan and Desertec Industrial Initiative. The Desertec Concept aims to build CSP plants to supply renewable energy from MENA region to European countries by using high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission lines.

The 500MW Phase-One Solar Power Complex at Ouarzazate is the world’s largest solar thermal power plant. To be built with investment of an estimated Euros 2.3 billion, the project is the first one to be implemented under the Moroccan Solar Plan. The Ouarzazate Solar Complex, with a total capacity of 500 MW, will come on-stream in 2015 and produce an estimated output of 1.2 TWh/year to meet local demand. The first phase will be a 160-MW parabolic trough facility while photovoltaic modules and CSP towers will be used in later phases.

The Ain Beni Mather Integrated Solar Thermal Combined Cycle Power Station is one of the most promising solar power projects in Africa.  The plant combines solar power and thermal power, and is expected to reach production capacity of 250MW by the end of 2012. African Development Bank, in partnership with the Global Environment Facility and Morocco's National Electric Authority (ONE), is financing approximately two-thirds of the cost of the plant, or about 200 million Euros.

In 2010, the Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (MASEN), a public-private venture, was set up specifically to implement these projects.  Its mandate is to implement the overall project and to coordinate and to supervise other activities related to this initiative. Stakeholders of the Agency include the Hassan II Fund For Economic & Social Development, Energetic Investment Company and the Office National de l’Electricité (ONE). The Solar Plan is backed by Germany, with funding being provided by German Environment Ministry (BMU) and KfW Entwicklungsbank while GIZ is engaged in skills and capacity-building for industry.

Morocco Wind Program

Morocco has huge wind energy potential due to it 3,500 km coast line and average wind speeds between 6 and 11 m/s. Regions near the Atlantic coast, such as Essaouira, Tangier and Tetouan (with average annual average wind speeds between 9.5 and 11 m/s at 40 metres) and Tarfaya, Laayoune, Dakhla, and Taza (with annual average wind speed between 7.5 and 9.5 m/s at 40 metres) has excellent wind power potential. According to a study by CDER and GTZ, the total potential for wind power in Morocco is estimated at around 7,936 TWh per year, which would be equivalent to about 2,600 GW. Morocco’s total installed wind power capacity at the end of 2010 was 286MW with more than 800MW under construction.

140MW Windfarm near Tangiers

The first wind farm in Morocco was installed in 2000 with a capacity of 50.4 MW in El Koudia El Baida (Tlat Taghramt – Province of Tetouan), situated 17km from the town of Fnidek. The annual production of the project is around 200 GWh, accounting for 1% of the national annual electricity consumption. In 2007, 60MW Amogdoul wind farm, on Cap Sim south of Essaouira, came online. This wind farm  was realized by the national utility ONE and  is producing around 210 GWh/year. Another landmark project is 140 MW at  Allak, El Haoud and Beni Mejmel, near Tangier and Tetouan which was commissioned in 2010 with annual production of 526 GWh per annum.

Morocco has a strong pipeline of wind power projects to realize its  objective of 2GW of wind power by 2020. Africa’s largest windfarm is coming up at Tarfaya with installed capacity of 300MW with USD 350million investment. Morocco’s national utility ONE is developing almost half of the planned projects while the other half is contributed by private investment through the “EnergiPro” initiative, which encourages industrial players to reduce their production costs by producing their own energy with projects up to 50 MW. As part of this initiative, ONE guarantees access to the national grid, and the purchase of any excess electricity produced at an incentive tariff, with different tariffs for each project.

Morocco to Make History with First-of-Its-Kind Solar Plant

" The learning curve estimate indicates the Noor-Ouarzazate Complex can be expected to reduce the global costs for CSP by three percent. "

Mafalda Duarte

Program Manager, Climate Investment Funds

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The solar plant is expected to reduce Morocco’s fossil fuel dependence by two and a half million tons of oil.

CIF/World Bank

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The three-plant Noor-Ouarzazate CSP complex expects to achieve over 500 megawatts (MW) installed capacity, ultimately supplying power to 1.1 million Moroccans by 2018. It is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 760,000 tons per year which could mean a reduction of 17.5 million tons of carbon emissions over 25 years.
Concentrated solar power (CSP), when combined with thermal storage, holds vast potential due to its ability to provide reliable power even when the sun is not shining.
Here’s how it works: hundreds of mirrors focus the sun’s energy to heat a transfer fluid that is used to produce steam that drives turbines that generate electricity.  The transfer fluid can also be used to heat molten salts stored in large storage tanks on site. The salt stays hot enough to generate steam even after the sun has gone down.
It is such a promising technology that the International Energy Agency estimates that up to 11 percent of the world’s electricity generation in 2050 could come from CSP.
But relatively high technology costs, when compared to fossil fuel alternatives, deter utilities, especially in emerging markets, from investing in the technology.
To prove its economic and technological viability, trailblazing CSP projects are needed across the world’s sun drenched places.
More projects using CSP are currently under construction or in the planning phase across the globe, from Chile and South Africa to India and China, but Morocco remains in the forefront of countries with a commitment to the technology.
The Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy, the government agency established to realize the country’s solar ambitions, secured over $3 billion needed for the Noor-Ouarzazate complex from the World Bank, the Climate Investment Funds’ Clean Technology Fund (CTF), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and European financing institutions.
For phase 1 of the Noor-Ouarzazate complex, the low-cost debt provided by the CTF ($97 million, managed by the World Bank) and other international financial institutions reduced Phase 1 project costs by about 20 percent compared to financing available from commercial banks. The World Bank is supporting phase 2 of the complex with financing of $400 million and $119 million from CTF.
The Noor-Ouarzazate complex is being built, and will be operated, as public-private partnership. The private partner, the International Company for Water and Power Projects (ACWA Power International), was selected through a competitive bidding process.
The international financial support for the complex will help reduce the strain on public finances by lowering the amount of subsidy that the Moroccan government required for the first phase, from $98 million to $31 million per year.
Initial efforts were supported by a $43 million GEF grant, complemented by significant additional government and AfDB financing. Efforts were designed to accelerate cost reduction and the commercial adoption of large-scale low-greenhouse-gas emitting generation technologies, and to test the viability of solar thermal technology with a view to encouraging its replication in Morocco and elsewhere.
The Climate Investment Funds’ CSP investments are intended to establish a record of performance for the technology, thereby lowering perceived risk and reducing future project costs for private sector CSP investors and developers. 

Morocco to Make History with First-of-Its-Kind Solar Plant

 

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• In Morocco, one of the world’s largest concentrated solar power plants will soon start generating electricity.

• Concentrated solar power provides reliable power even when the sun is not shining.

• Plant is expected to reduce Morocco’s fossil fuel dependence by two and a half million tons of oil.

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Morocco is poised to make history soon — when the first phase of one of the world’s largest concentrated solar power plants starts generating electricity. When fully operational, it will produce enough energy for more than one million Moroccans, with possibly extra power to export to Europe.
Located on the edge of the Sahara desert, in an area famous for a picturesque landscape, the Noor-Ouarzazate power complex is putting Morocco on the map as a solar superpower.
It is Morocco’s first utility-scale solar energy complex and a critical step in the Moroccan Solar Energy Program, which aims to install 2 GW of solar power by 2020. The project underlines the country’s determination to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, turn to increased use of renewable energy, and move towards a low carbon development strategy.
Morocco is the largest energy importer in the Middle East, and depends heavily on foreign sources for over 97 percent of its energy. Harnessing energy from its abundant sunshine will free Morocco from the volatility of import costs, along with creating the potential for green energy exports to neighboring countries. The plant will reduce the country’s energy dependence by about 2 and half million tons of oil.

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Once ready, the solar plant of Ouarzazate in Morocco will become one of the largest solar power plants in the world.

CIF/World Bank

Origin of Evolutionary Thought Timeline

Timeline of Evolutionary Theory

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Click here

Charles Darwin Evolution Theory

Charles Darwin wrote:

"THE AFFINITIES of all the beings of the same class have sometimes been represented by a great tree. I believe this simile largely speaks the truth. The green and budding twigs may represent existing species; and those produced during each former year may represent the long succession of extinct species . . . The limbs divided into great branches, and these into lesser and lesser branches, were themselves once, when the tree was small, budding twigs; and this connexion of the former and present buds by ramifying branches may well represent the classification of all extinct and living species in groups subordinate to groups . . . From the first growth of the tree, many a limb and branch has decayed and dropped off, and these lost branches of various sizes may represent those whole orders, families, and genera which have now no living representatives, and which are known to us only from having been found in a fossil state . . . As buds give rise by growth to fresh buds, and these, if vigorous, branch out and overtop on all a feebler branch, so by generation I believe it has been with the Tree of Life, which fills with its dead and broken branches the crust of the earth, and covers the surface with its ever branching and beautiful ramifications" (Darwin, 1859).

The theory of evolution, formalized by Charles Darwin, is as much theory as is the theory of gravity, or the theory of relativity. Unlike theories of physics, biological theories, and especially evolution, have been argued long and hard in socio-political arenas. Even today, evolution is not often taught in primary schools. However, evolution is the binding force of all biological research. It is the unifying theme. In paleontology, evolution gives workers a powerful way to organize the remains of past life and better understand the one history of life. The history of thought about evolution in general and paleontological contributions specifically are often useful to the workers of today. Science, like any iterative process, draws heavily from its history.

How to Play Hockey

 

How to Play Hockey

Hockey is one of the most thrilling and action packed sports played in the world. A game which is a little physical with checking and technical with puck handling. Doing it on pavement is tough enough but add skating and it becomes even more fun. Learning how to play hockey can be intimidating and sometimes hard. It can also be fun, exciting and a lot easier to learn than you think. Do you have someone in your family who wants to know how to play hockey? Is it your son, daughter or even yourself? Do you have that itch to learn how to play hockey? Not sure what type of equipment you need to get, how it should fit or where to find the best place to buy it? If you are just learning as a kid or a late bloomer and are thinking about joining an adult league or even a person who enjoys the game and wants to learn more about it? If this is you then you have come to the right place. How to Play Hockey is filled with information on skills, drills and techniques for players at any level. Check out the articles ranging from how to choose the proper equipment to different drills and techniques on checking and puck handling. For those who rather see some instructions check out our video page and see videos on face offs and 2 on 1 strategies. If you are looking for equipment, you can and sometimes should go to your local hockey shop but take a look at hockeymonkey to find some of the best deals on the internet. They have great information on sizing and fitting and will at least get you an idea of how much each item cost so you can shop with some information. For the more advance players check out Hockeyshot.com where you will find the most up to date and hockey specific training aids available on the market. And remember, hockey isn’t just for the boys…check out the section on female hockey. We have a training program and articles specifically made for women hockey players! Women hockey is getting very popular and they have different needs at times. Kim McCullough does a great job in addressing those issues. How to play hockey is your one stop shop for hockey players at any level. Whether you are trying to learn how to skate or trying to make the next level traveling team or if you are a parent who wants to get more involved in understanding hockey. Hockey can be a long and time consuming adventure we hope you enjoy the ride

Christiano Rolando VS Leonel Messi

 

Christiano Rolando VS Leonel Messi

Madrid the biggest subplot is the battle of Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo was the world’s most expensive player when Real signed him for $131 in the summer of 2009. Prior to that he had been signed by Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon as an 18-year-old.

They are two of the highest paid soccer players in the world game.

Messi has a release clause of $400 million and his rise to the top could not contrast more starkly to that of Ronaldo. The Argentinean left Newell’s Old Boys for Barcelona at the age of 13, with the club paying for treatment on a growth hormone deficiency that threatened to stunt his progress. In 2012 he became the club's record goalscorer at the age of just 24.

Each player has won the World Player of the Year award, and has scored in a Champions League final.

Ronaldo says it is like comparing a "Ferrari with a Porsche", but who is the best?

Messi vs Ronaldo: Finishing With Feet

Messi is very much left-footed and finishes most of his chances off on that side. He generally occupied the position on the right side of attack after Josep Guardiola took over as Barcelona coach in 2008, but has featured more centrally as time has gone on. Messi is outstanding in one-on-ones, capable of the subtle dink over an advancing goalkeeper, a curled effort into the corner or a piledriver. So many chances come his way in a team that dominates most games that he will miss a few, but it is hard to find fault in Messi’s finishing. 9/10.

Where Messi generally favors brains over braun when faced with the whites of the goalposts, Ronaldo more often than not opts for sheer power. Unlike Messi, the Portuguese star is right footed, but is also adept at finishing on his weaker side. Can be guilty of profligacy, but his goals record speaks for itself. 8/10.

Messi vs Ronaldo: Finishing With Head

Messi memorably scored the second goal against Manchester United in the 2009 Champions league final with his head. But that was the exception to the rule, and most of La Pulga Atomica’s (The Atomic Flea) goals come from his left foot. 6/10.

Ronaldo scores far more goals with his head, not afraid to go in where it hurts. At 1.85 meters, Ronaldo is always going to be more effective in the air than Messi, who stands at 1.65. Ronaldo manages to apply great power to his headers and undoubtedly scores higher in this category. 8/10.

Messi vs Ronaldo: Free-kicks

Messi is capable of producing exquisite set-pieces that bend past opposing goalkeepers. His free-kicks are again more about finesse than brute force. He perhaps lacks the variation of Ronaldo. 8/10.

Ronaldo’s swerving free-kicks are a thing of beauty. When playing for Manchester United, he revealed that he uses the technique of striking the ball on the valve to get more power and movement. He is also capable of the classic curling free-kick. 9/10.

Messi vs Ronaldo: Dribbling & Control

Messi is the dribbler extraordinaire and there is no one better in the world at taking on and beating players. The beauty of Messi is that it is not just his pace that takes him past defenders, but his sublime technique, quick feet and balance. He is not the strongest or quickest player in the world, but relies on natural ability to take him past his man. 10/10.

Few players can perform a step-over like CR9, and it is such skill that helps him beat opponents repeatedly. Ronaldo's control is generally excellent, but he relies more on his pace to take him past players than his Argentinean counterpart. 9/10.

Messi vs Ronaldo: Skill & Technique

Such is Messi’s skill that the ball can appear glued to his feet as he maneuvres himself out of tight situations and finds teammates when it seems he is surrounded. Messi, like Ronaldo, can use the backheel to great effect and also has a penchant for looping the ball over a defender and collecting it on the other side. 10/10.

Ronaldo is more of a showman than Messi and can take the breath away with his array of stepovers and flicks. But in some matches, when the stepovers are taking him nowhere and he is attempting backheels that are not finding team-mates, Ronaldo stands accused of producing style over substance. He is blessed with tremendous natural ability and when on song he is a joy to watch, but he has more ineffectual matches than Messi. 9/10.

Messi vs Ronaldo: Team Play

One of the reasons Messi has been more successful at club level than international level is that he dovetails so beautifully with Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta. His chemistry with these two is a beauty to behold and there is no one at Barcelona who claims that Messi does not work hard enough or combine well with his teammates. 9/10.

Ronaldo is a player almost beyond reproach but one of the gripes that some teammates have had about him -and certainly sections of the Real Madrid support- is that he can be selfish and too obsessed with making the difference on his own. Ronaldo has been known to shoot from ridiculous angles and distances when teammates are better placed, and will often try to score when there is a superior option to his left or right. Some Real fans have made their frustrations known, and Ronaldo has actually been whistled at the Bernabeu for his individualistic approach. He also has a tendency to show his frustration and petulance towards teammates. 6/10.

Messi vs Ronaldo: Physical Prowess

Messi is not a big man and can be knocked off the ball by more imposing opponents. However, he is also well capable of holding his own in one-on-ones and often it takes a foul for a defender to knock him off the ball. 7/10.

Ronaldo is a real specimen of a man and has previously claimed to do 1000 press-ups a day as he looks to maintain his washboard stomach. He is a physically imposing player with unquestionable fitness and professionalism in looking after himself. 9/10.

Messi vs Ronaldo: Stats

A statistical comparison of club and country games, goals and assists since Ronaldo moved to Real Madrid in 2009.

Messi

2009-10

Games: 64

Goals: 49

Assists: 11

2010-11

Games: 61

Goals: 51

Assists: 22

2011-12

Games: 73

Goals: 77

Assists: 27

2012-13

Games: 65

Goals: 75

Assists: 18

2013-14

Games: 54

Goals: 44

Assists: 12

Ronaldo

2009-10

Games: 39

Goals: 33

Assists: 7

2010-11

Games: 65

Goals: 56

Assists: 16

2011-12

Games: 67

Goals: 71

Assists: 16

2012-13

Games: 73

Goals: 62

Assists: 14

2013-14

Games: 60

Goals: 65

Assists: 15

Messi vs Ronaldo: Goal Totals

Over the past seven seasons, the players’ cumulative goal returns for club and country have been similar. Ronaldo has often been moved higher up the pitch and into a more central position as his career has progressed, while Messi is now commonly deployed by Barcelona in the position he can hurt opponents most: at the centre of the attack. He, like Ronaldo, played deeper earlier in his career but coaches such as Sir Alex Ferguson , Jose Mourinho and Josep Guardiola realize that when you possess a player of the class of either of these two, it is wise to position them where they can do the most damage. 10/10 for both.

Conclusion

Messi exerts more influence over more games. Ronaldo has been accused of being a ‘flat track bully’ in the past, effective in the lesser matches but disappearing when it really matters. This may be a harsh assessment, but Messi has produced more performances in the biggest games. The Argentinean scores one more point than the Real Madrid man and edges the battle of Messi vs Ronaldo.

Total:

Lionel Messi: 69/80

Cristiano Ronaldo: 68/80

 By: Stewart Coggin

        Soccer Expert

Golf games Rules and Regulations

Golf games Rules and Regulations

 

The main rule of golf is to play fair. Even on the back cover of the rule book it states to 1) play the course as you find it 2) play the course as it lies and 3) if you can't do either, do what is fair. So fairness is a key to golf. There will be times when playing golf that you are tempted to cheat. Standing out in the woods and your ball is right behind a tree, the temptation to kick the ball over a few feet to get a good shot. Don't do it! Golf is a game of etiquette and conscience. The game will be more rewarding if you always play by the rules and play fair.

When starting to play a round of golf, it's always a good idea to read the local rules on the scorecard. These will give you guidelines that are specific to that course.

The official rules of golf in the US are governed by the United States Golf Association (USGA), but here are some basic rules to keep in mind when playing golf:

• You must play the golf ball where it lies, unless there is a rule that allows you to move it.
• The golf course may not be changed to gain an advantage, unless there is a rule that allows for a specific change.
• If your ball is in a bunker or water hazard, your golf club cannot touch the ground or water prior to your actual swing. If it does, you must take a penalty stroke.
• If you accidentally play the wrong golf ball (oops!), you get a two stroke penalty.
• On the green, you may mark and lift your ball to clean it or get it out of another golfer's way.
• When putting the ball must not hit the flag. If the golf ball does hit the flag, it is a two stroke penalty.
• If you loose the ball in a water hazard, you can drop the ball behind the hazard and in line with the golf hole. You must take a penalty stroke.
• If you loose the ball out of bounds, you can take a penalty stroke and then replay the shot.
• If your ball is unplayable, you may take a penalty stroke and then drop the golf ball behind where the ball was and in line with the hole or drop the golf ball within two club lengths.
• You are allowed a maximum of 14 clubs in your golf bag.
• Golfers must tee off behind and between the tee markers. Never in front of the tee markers.

In addition to the rules of golf, golfers also need to adhere to the etiquette of golf. Fixing divots, not hitting into other players for safety, yelling "fore" if you do, being quiet while a golfer is hitting the ball, and playing at a good rate are just a few rules of the etiquette of golf that make the game more enjoyable for everyone.

How To Play Baseball?

take his position in the batter's box, the umpire shall call "Play" and the game shall start. When the ball is put in play at the start of, or during a game, all fielders other than the catcher shall be on fair territory. The batting order shall be followed throughout theThe players of the home team shall take their defensive positions, the first batter of the visiting team shall  game unless a player is substituted for another. In that case the substitute shall take the place of the replaced player in the batting order. •Each player of the offensive team shall bat in the order that his name appears in his team's batting order. •The first batter in each inning after the first inning shall be the player whose name follows that of the last player who legally completed his time at bat in the preceding inning. A batter has legally completed his time at bat when he is put out or becomes a runner. A batter may be put out in any of the following ways - 1.His fair or foul FLY BALL is legally caught by a fielder (catch); ◦A FLY BALL is a batted ball that goes high in the air in-flight straight from the bat without first touching the ground. ◦A CATCH is the act of a fielder in getting secure possession in his hand or glove of a ball in flight and firmly holding it; providing he does not use his cap, protector, pocket or any other part of his uniform in getting possession. 2.After he hits a fair ball, he or first base is tagged before he touches first base; ◦A TAG is the action of a fielder in touching a base with his body while holding the ball securely and firmly in his hand or glove; or touching a runner with the ball, or with his hand or glove holding the ball, while holding the ball securely and firmly in his hand or glove. 3.A third strike is legally caught by the catcher; ◦A STRIKE is a legal pitch when so called by the umpire, which - 1.Is struck at by the batter and is missed; 2.Is not struck at, but any part of the ball passes through any part of the STRIKE ZONE; ◾The STRIKE ZONE is that area over home plate the upper limit of which is a horizontal line at the midpoint between the top of the shoulders and the top of the uniform pants, and the lower level is a line at the top of the knees. The Strike Zone shall be determined from the batter's stance as the batter is prepared to swing at a pitched ball. The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put out when - 1.Four "balls" have been called by the umpire; ◦A BALL is a pitch which does not enter the strike zone in flight and is not struck at by the batter. ◦A BASE ON BALLS is an award of first base granted to a batter who, during his time at bat, receives four pitches outside the strike zone. 2.He is touched by a pitched ball which he is not attempting to hit unless (1) The ball is in the strike zone when it touches the batter, or (2) The batter makes no attempt to avoid being touched by the ball; The batter becomes a runner and is liable to be put out when - 1.He hits a FAIR BALL; ◦A FAIR BALL is a batted ball that settles on fair ground between home and first base, or between home and third base, or that is on or over fair territory when bounding to the outfield past first or third base, or that touches first, second or third base, or that first falls on fair territory on or beyond first base or third base, or that, while on or over fair territory touches the person of an umpire or player, or that, while over fair territory, passes out of the playing field in flight. ◦A fair fly shall be judged according to the relative position of the ball and the foul line, including the foul pole, and not as to whether the fielder is on fair or foul territory at the time he touches the ball. ◦If a fly ball lands in the infield between home and first base, or home and third base, and then bounces to foul territory without touching a player or umpire and before passing first or third base, it is a foul ball; or if the ball settles on foul territory or is touched by a player on foul territory, it is a foul ball. If a fly ball lands on or beyond first or third base and then bounces to foul territory, it is a fair hit. ◦FAIR TERRITORY is that part of the playing field within, and including the first base and third base lines, from home base to the bottom of the playing field fence and perpendicularly upwards. All foul lines are in fair territory. The Runner. A runner acquires the right to an unoccupied base when he touches it before he is put out. He is then entitled to it until he is put out, or forced to vacate it for another runner legally entitled to that base. In advancing, a runner shall touch first, second, third and home base in order. If forced to return, he shall retouch all bases in reverse order, unless the ball is dead under any provision of Rule 5.09. In such cases, the runner may go directly to his original base. Two runners may not occupy a base, but if, while the ball is alive, two runners are touching a base, the following runner shall be out when tagged. The preceding runner is entitled to the base. Each runner including the batter-runner may, without liability to be put out, advance - To home base, scoring a run, if a fair ball goes out of the playing field in flight and he touched all bases legally; This is called a HOMERUN Any runner is out when - 1.He is tagged, when the ball is alive, while off his base. EXCEPTION: A batter-runner cannot be tagged out after overrunning or oversliding first base if he returns immediately to the base; ◦A TAG is the action of a fielder in touching a base with his body while holding the ball securely and firmly in his hand or glove; or touching a runner with the ball, or with his hand or glove holding the ball, while holding the ball securely and firmly in his hand or glove. 2.He fails to retouch his base after a fair or foul fly ball is legally caught before he, or his base, is tagged by a fielder. He shall not be called out for failure to retouch his base after the first following pitch, or any play or attempted play. This is an appeal play; 3.He fails to reach the next base before a fielder tags him or the base, after he has been forced to advance by reason of the batter becoming a runner. However, if a following runner is put out on a force play, the force is removed and the runner must be tagged to be put out. The force is removed as soon as the runner touches the base to which he is forced to advance, and if he overslides or overruns the base, the runner must be tagged to be put out. However, if the forced runner, after touching the next base, retreats for any reason towards the base he had last occupied, the force play is reinstated, and he can again be put out if the defense tags the base to which he is forced; EXAMPLE of when a runner is forced to run: When the batter hits a fair ball he must run to first base. If a runner is on first base, that runner is forced to run to second. If a runner is on second and no runner is on first, the runner at second is NOT forced to run when the batter hits a fair ball, because first base is vacant. 4.He is touched by a fair ball in fair territory before the ball has touched or passed an infielder. The ball is dead and no runner may score, nor runners advance, except runners forced to advance. 5.He passes a preceding runner before such runner is out; 6.He fails to return at once to first base after overrunning or oversliding that base. If he attempts to run to second he is out when tagged. If, after overrunning or oversliding first base he starts toward the dugout, or toward his position, and fails to return to first base at once, he is out, on appeal, when he or the base is tagged; 7.In running or sliding for home base, he fails to touch home base and makes no attempt to return to the base, when a fielder holds the ball in his hand, while touching home base, and appeals to the umpire for the decision. First base and home may be overrun, second and third may not. THOSE ARE THE BASICS OF THE GAME. FOLLOWING ARE SOME ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS AND OTHER INFORMATION: The BATTER'S BOX is the area within which the batter shall stand during his time at bat. The BATTERY is the pitcher and catcher. A DEAD BALL is a ball out of play because of a legally created temporary suspension of play. The DEFENSE (or DEFENSIVE) is the team, or any player of the team, in the field. A FORCE PLAY is a play in which a runner legally loses his right to occupy a base by reason of the batter becoming a runner. A GROUND BALL is a batted ball that rolls or bounces close to the ground. An INFIELDER is a fielder who occupies a position in the infield. IN FLIGHT describes a batted, thrown, or pitched ball which has not yet touched the ground or some object other than a fielder. OFFENSE is the team, or any player of the team, at bat. An OUTFIELDER is a fielder who occupies a position in the outfield, which is the area of the playing field most distant from home base. "SAFE" is a declaration by the umpire that a runner is entitled to the base for which he was trying. After the ball is dead, play shall be resumed when the pitcher takes his place on the pitcher's plate with a new ball or the same ball in his possession and the plate umpire calls "Play." The plate umpire shall call "Play" as soon as the pitcher takes his place on his plate with the ball in his possession.

Familly Ties in Morocco

People gather around the silver-plated tea tray - with cups varying in size and color along with a pot holding their national Moroccan green tea - to have warm chitchats, and express their worries and fears.

This round tray is adornded with intricate geometric shapes, including a hexagonal star that is the distinctive mark of Jewish silversmiths dominating the Moroccan market. The tray is usually accompanied by another smaller tray carrying jars that contain tea leaves, and a boiler.

The tray is called "White" by some, after the Italian man who introduced it to Morocco back in 18th century. White was known for his premium quality goods.

Every Moroccan house has a tea tray ready to be presented to guests, and some place it as part of house decoration. Larger Moroccan houses have special tea room used to receive guests.

In the southern parts of the country, trays vary in the items displayed depending on the time of the day they are presented.

Some strict traditions and rituals are associated with the tea tray gatherings and a staff member is appointed to oversee every small detail to ensure that the gathering is in line with the set rules of tradition.

First there is Gaed Al-Siniya (tray leader), that is the person assigned to supervise the gathering and making sure that everything is going smoothly and according to the book.

The second and more prominent staff member is Al-Gayem (the person serving tea to the group). This assignment requires tidiness and courtesy as the server should be neat, well-presented, educated, sharp and should master the art of entertaining the crowd through reciting poetry or narrating stories.

In the southern parts of Morocco where the majority of population are Bedouins, tea tray gatherings are governed by the rule of the three "Js" that is Jama'a (the group), Jamr (coal used to heat water), and Jar (prolonged gathering).

The server elected by the group should meet the group's expectations, said Moroccan researcher and poet Ham bin Balaayil in a statement to KUNA.

He is not allowed to leave the session before performing his duty, which includes keeping the tray clean as spilling is not tolerated while entertaining the group, Bin Balaayil said.

The server should also draw a mental map of the cups he serves as he is to remember every cup and the person of which the cup belongs to, he said.

He is not is not entitled to assign someone else to cover for him, and if he breaks one of the rules he is to present his group with a slaughtered camel, if not, pay the amount in cash, Bin Al-Balaayil added.

The cleanliness and neatness required in the tea tray gatherings are influenced by the Sufi doctrine, he said.

Manners are also observed so that elderly are to drink first and servers last whereas in-laws are not to sit at the same tray.

As for the northern parts of the nation, the luxurious touch is showcased through the use of pricy trays, boilers and cups along the use of aromatic herbs added to the green tea such as rose, mint, and saffron, as well as serving the traditional almond filled dough dessert of 'Kaab Al-Gazal'.

Abdulaati Aayat Hasayin, an Imam and a tea tray server, said that due to modernization and globalization people now were too busy to attend tea gatherings, and instead prefer to go to the many cafes that serve "tasteless" tea.

He recalled the old times when the tea tray gatherings were so dominant that when the server failed to entertain his group he became a mockery.

These get-togethers, although less dominant these days, have not lost their charm and still play an essential role in strengthening familial ties and in showcasing the society's solidarity. (KUNA)

Sarah Khan
Global Arab Network