Baseball5 - Lesson 1: Game, field and differences between Baseball, Softball and Baseball5

Summary

This webinar introduces Baseball5, a new, fast-paced, and accessible variant of baseball and softball. It requires minimal equipment and can be played anywhere, making it inclusive. The video covers the game's basics, field setup, and rules, emphasizing fun and simplicity. Baseball5 is designed for both indoor and outdoor play, promoting participation and offering opportunities for growth in baseball and softball communities worldwide.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Baseball5 is a new, inclusive sport designed by the WBSC to be adaptable to various spaces and requires minimal equipment.
• 🏟️ The Baseball5 field is a square with a 13-meter distance between bases, a 50 cm square base, and an outfield fence 5 meters beyond the infield.
• ⚾ The game is played with two teams of at least five players each, and up to eight players in official competitions.
• 🔄 The game consists of five innings, with each team getting a turn at bat before the teams switch to defense and offense roles.
• 🏃‍♂️ Offensive players aim to score runs by completing the bases counterclockwise and touching home plate.
• 🙅‍♂️ The defense can record outs by touching the base a runner is forced to, catching the ball before it bounces, or tagging a runner off-base.
• 🚫 Unique to Baseball5, players must hit the ball with their bare hands, gloves and other equipment are not allowed.
• ⏱ Baseball5 games are fast-paced, with the potential for a full game to be completed in as little as 15-20 minutes.
• 🌟 Baseball5 promotes fun and inclusivity, aiming to increase accessibility to baseball and softball sports worldwide.
• 🌱 The sport is designed to be played year-round, indoors or outdoors, and can be adapted to various settings, including schools, prisons, and social programs.

Q & A

What is Baseball5 and how does it relate to baseball and softball?

Baseball5 is a street version of baseball and softball, designed to be fast, young, and dynamic. It requires no specialized equipment and can be played anywhere with a rubber ball. It maintains the same founding concepts as baseball and softball but is more accessible and adaptable to various spaces.

What are the ideal dimensions for a Baseball5 field?

The ideal Baseball5 field has a square infield with bases 13 meters apart, and a square outfield fence 5 meters beyond the infield. The fair territory is an 18-meter square with home plate at one corner. The batter's box is a 3-meter square outside the fair territory.

How many players are required to play Baseball5 and what is the minimum team size for official competitions?

Baseball5 is played with two teams of at least five players each. For official competitions, the maximum number of players on each team's roster is eight, with five in play and three reserves.

How does the batting order work in Baseball5?

Teams must submit a batting order before the game, which is the sequence in which their five active players will take turns at bat. This order is followed throughout the game unless a reserve player substitutes for a starter.

What are the three ways a defensive team can record an out in Baseball5?

The defense can record an out by touching the base a runner is forced to run to while in possession of the ball, catching a hit ball before it touches the ground, or tagging a runner with the ball when they are not on a base.

What are the rules regarding hitting the ball in Baseball5?

The batter must hit the ball with their bare hands, and the ball must touch the ground in fair territory at least once. The batter must also remain within the batter's box lines until the ball is in fair territory.

How does scoring work in Baseball5?

Players score by completing the full circle of the bases counterclockwise and touching home plate. The team with the most runs at the end of five innings wins. In case of a tie, extra innings are played until one team scores more runs.

What is the significance of the safe area around the first base in Baseball5?

The safe area around the first base, which is one and a half meters wide, allows base runners to touch the base in foul territory and then move into the safe area to avoid being tagged out by the defense.

How does Baseball5 address the complexity and accessibility issues of traditional baseball and softball?

Baseball5 addresses these issues by requiring no specialized equipment, being adaptable to various spaces, and having simpler rules. It's designed to be intuitive and easy to understand, making it more accessible and less complex than traditional baseball and softball.

What are some examples of how Baseball5 has been adapted to different environments around the world?

Baseball5 has been played on natural grass, cement basketball courts, and even in school classrooms. It has been adapted using spray paint, duct tape, cones, cooking flour, and chalk to mark the field, demonstrating its flexibility and adaptability.

Why is Baseball5 considered a mixed-gender game?

Baseball5 is considered a mixed-gender game because it requires at least two male and two female players on the field at all times, promoting gender inclusivity and equal participation in the sport.