What are base-type games?
In a base-type game (also called a bat-and-ball or fielding game) one team bats while the other team fields. The teams take turns.
- The batter hits the ball into the field and runs.
- The fielders catch or collect the ball and try to put the runner out.
- A run (score) is made when a runner touches all four bases in order and returns to home.
Examples: baseball (9 fielders), softball (a bigger ball and shorter distances), rounders, kickball and Indian street cricket variants. In baseball a team bats until it has 3 outs, then the teams swap.
Batting
Good batting means getting the bat to the ball and sending it where fielders are not.
- Stance: feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, eyes on the ball.
- Swing: turn the hips, then the shoulders, then the arms. Follow through.
- Placement: aim for a gap between fielders, or the part of the field that is empty.
- Power and angle: a harder hit travels further; changing the angle changes where it lands.
After the hit, drop the bat (do not throw it) and run.
Base running
The runner must go round the bases in order: home → 1st → 2nd → 3rd → home. A runner is safe when touching a base before the ball arrives there with a fielder; otherwise out.
- Run through first base without slowing; you may run past it.
- Watch the ball and the fielders to decide: go to the next base or stay.
- Listen to your base coach and your team.
- Slide feet-first at the base if the throw is close (only on a safe, soft surface).
Fielding, throwing and teamwork
Fielders work as a team to reach the ball and stop the runner.
- Ready position: knees bent, glove down, eyes on the ball.
- Catch and throw: catch with both hands where you can, step towards the target and throw with a smooth arm swing.
- Throw to the right base: the base where the lead runner will arrive first.
- Cut-off and relay: a far fielder throws to a teammate in the middle (the cut-off) who throws on. This is faster and more accurate than one long throw.
- Backing up: a second fielder stands behind the first to stop a bad throw.
- Calling: shout "mine!" or "you!" to avoid collisions.
Try it: the 3-base game
- Mark three bases and a home (about 8 m apart) on the ground. Use a soft ball and a plastic bat.
- One person pitches, one bats, the rest field. After each hit, count how many bases the runner reached.
- Fielders must throw to the base the runner is heading for.
- In the 3D above, set power and direction, press Hit!, and try to find a gap where the runner gets to 3rd.
Key formulas and definitions
- Run = touch 1st, 2nd, 3rd and home in order
- Out if the ball with a fielder reaches the base before the runner
- Baseball: 9 fielders, 3 outs per half-inning, bases about 27 m apart
- Relay: far fielder → cut-off → base (faster than one long throw)
- Hit into a gap: the part of the field without fielders
Worked examples
1. A runner hits a ball and reaches 2nd base, but is out at 3rd. Did the team score a run?
No. A run needs the runner to touch all four bases and return to home. Getting out at 3rd means no run from that hit.
2. The bases are about 27 m apart. How far does a runner go in a full home run lap?
Four sides: 4 × 27 = 108 m.
3. Why is a relay throw (cut-off) better than one very long throw from the outfield?
A very long throw is slow and can be inaccurate. A cut-off throw splits the distance into two short, accurate throws, and the fielder in the middle can also decide where to throw.
Common mistakes
- Hitting the ball straight at a fielder. Aim for a gap instead.
- Forgetting to run the bases in order, or skipping a base.
- Throwing to the wrong base. Throw to the base where the lead runner will get first.
- Not calling the ball, so two fielders collide.