Indian Ball facts for kids

Indian Ball is a fun bat-and-ball game. It uses a baseball bat and a ball. This game started in St. Louis, Missouri, in the late 1940s. It was created for times when there weren't enough players for a full baseball game. It's also great when you don't have a big baseball field. Indian Ball is like baseball, but for fewer players!

How to Play Indian Ball

Indian Ball can be played almost anywhere! You can play it on a big baseball field or even in a small yard or street. You can play with just one person, or up to about ten players.

Starting the Game

The batter can put the ball into play in three ways:

• A teammate pitches the ball to them.
• A teammate tosses the ball from the side.
• The batter tosses the ball up themselves.

If the ball hits or touches the pitcher after it's put in play, the batter is automatically out.

Infield and Outfield Roles

Players are usually divided into infielders and outfielders.

• Only infielders should field balls hit into the infield.
• Only outfielders should field balls hit into the outfield.

If an infielder catches a ball in the outfield, or an outfielder catches a ball in the infield, the batting team gets two points (a "double").

Understanding the Rules of Indian Ball

Indian Ball has some special rules to keep the game moving fast.

Getting an Out

• Strikes and Balls: Three strikes mean an out. Four balls also mean an out. This helps speed up the game.
• Caught Balls: If a player catches a ball before it hits the ground, anywhere on the field, it's an out.
• Infield Grounders: If a ball is hit into the infield and an infielder touches it before it stops, it's an out.

Scoring Points

• Single (1 Point):

* If a ball is hit into the infield and lands before infielders get to it, it's a single. * If a ball is hit into the outfield and an outfielder picks it up before it stops, but it didn't go past them, it's a single.

• Double (2 Points):

* If a ground ball goes into the outfield and stays in front of an outfielder but isn't picked up before it stops, it's a double. * If a fly ball lands in the outfield in front of an outfielder and isn't picked up before it stops, it's a double.

• Triple (3 Points):

* If a ball lands in front of an outfielder and then gets behind them, and isn't picked up before it stops, it's a triple. * If a fly ball lands in front of an outfielder and gets behind them, and isn't picked up before it stops, it's a triple.

• Home Run (4 Points):

* If a fly ball lands behind an outfielder without being touched by them, and isn't picked up before it stops, it's a home run!

Losing Points

Sometimes, you can lose points in Indian Ball!

• Infield Penalty: If an infielder fields the ball and then throws it back to the next batter, but hits the bat with the ball, the batting team loses one point (-1 point).
• Outfield Penalty: If an outfielder fields the ball and then throws it back to the next batter, but hits the bat with the ball, the batting team loses two points (-2 points).