Now, many people dont know this, but Britain was the first nation to win a real world baseball championship. And an even lesser known fact is that Britain also has its own version of baseball! No, not Cricket!
British baseball is a very small game, based in a few cities round the country. It is popular in cities like Liverpool and Cardiff.
British baseball shares many similarities with its large American cousin. However, there are many differences.
2) The bases. There are 4 bases in a diamond shape, like American baseball. However, unlike American baseball, these are sticks planted in the ground. Also, the 4th base is separate from the batting plate.
3) Pitchers mound. The pitcher has the chuck the ball, under arm, from inside a box, not off the top of a mound.
4) Scoring. In American baseball, if you get all the way round, that is one run. In British baseball, by sprinting between bases (the sticks) and touching them, you score 1 run as you run between them. So, if you sprint all the way round, that counts as 4 runs! If 2 balls miss the strike zone, then an extra point is awarded.
5) Getting a batter out. In American baseball, if the batter hits the ball, and its caught, you are out. Same in British baseball. However, in British baseball, if you get 2 strikes, you are out. You get 1 ball which you can "ignore." The second ball, you have to try to hit it. If you dont, you still have to run. If you dont run, out. If th backstop tags you, you are out. If the ball is touched to the first base-stick, you are out. If the ball touches you, you are out. Unless it hits your arm.
6) The batter. There is no home plate (Thats 4th base, and its a couple of yards away!). The batter strikes from one of 2 sticks in the ground. 1 for lefties, and 1 for righties! Your foot has to touch one, or the catcher can tag you out!
It seems a little complicated, but I for one would like to see this game survive. A True homegrown alternative that is worth keeping alive! It does not have the silly names like Cricket, and is not "American" so if you dont want to play Baseball because it is "American" (Why you would use THAT excuse I dont know!) then you cna give this game a try! All you need, literally, are 4 sticks,
Wikipedia has more info!
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