Instructions
- Step 1: Set up your diamond Set up four bases and a pitching mound in your backyard using anything like trees, Frisbees, sticks, trash can lids, or whatever else you can find to make bases.
- Step 2: Set up boundaries Set up boundaries for foul balls and home runs.
- Step 3: Establish the rules Establish the rules for your game by deciding how outs will be recorded and what pitches are allowed.
- TIP: If you’re playing with a softer ball you can hit the player running to get them out and use different kinds of pitches. With a hard ball, stick with an average straight pitch and normal rules for outs.
- Step 4: Play the game Place one player in the field, one player pitching, and one player hitting. The runs are tallied for each player, so it’s one-on-one-on-one baseball.
- Step 5: Use ghost runners Use ghost runners if the hitter gets on base. If it’s a single, pretend there’s a runner on first base while the hitter goes back to hit. The ghost runner advances by a base for each base the hitter advances.
- TIP: To get the ghost runner out on a force out play, you must tag the base the ghost runner is advancing toward before the hitter gets to first base.
- Step 6: Rotate players Rotate players from pitcher to hitter, hitter to outfield, and outfield to pitcher an equal number of rounds so each player has a chance to hit the same number of times.
- TIP: Normal baseball rules can apply, with three strikes, four balls, and three outs, or make up your own.
- Step 7: Clean up when you’re done Clean up the yard when you’re done so you don’t get in trouble, and so your equipment doesn’t get ruined or stolen. Have fun!
- FACT: The Louisville Slugger baseball bat was made in Louisville in 1884 by Andrew “Bud” Hillerich in a wood shop run by his father.
You Will Need
- 5 objects for bases and a pitching mound
- Bat
- Ball
- 3 baseball gloves
