In baseball, why does the home team pitch at the top of the inning instead of the bottom?

Actually, it has not always been this way. Back in ancient times, the home team had the option of batting first, and often would do so.

Then a rule was enacted, that the home team bats last. It does give a small but real advantage, in having the last chance to win the game (or, in many cases, not having to play that last half-inning).

Reaching way back to an available box score, here's the NY Mutuals visiting the Baltimore Canaries, yet Baltimore batted first, 22-April-1872. (Yep, that's HOFer Candy Cummings making his major league debut, pitching for the Mutuals and batting fifth.)

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1872/B04220BL11...

Cummings: http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers/detail.js...

(ps. It is also good manners, to let one's guest proceed first.)

The fans are treated with pitching at the beginning so they can see the 'other side' aka the pitching/defensive side of their team. The batting, obviously, is enough as if the team is down late in the game, the team will have a chance to win the game and go home on a whim.

Great, great question.

Because they want that chance to win the game at the last minute, with runs at the bottom of the inning.

Also, it may be courtesy to let the away team bat first

I couldn't be more perturbed. I think because of that, the home team is more likely to hit a walk off homer in the bottom of the 9th and beyond or something.

Great question. I starred it, my friend.

so they get the last at bat in the game

Probably because they have the last at bat.

Because batting is better and they say ladies first : )

so they have the last at bat

visitors always go first it is a tradition

So they can bat last..