User:Deathklams/Klambino Ball

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Klambino Ball is a sport, played mostly in Summer, in which two players take turns pitching and batting against each other in a fashion similar to baseball. The ball that is thrown by the pitcher is also called a Klambino ball. The opposing player, or batter, attempts to hit the ball with a stick or bat when it is thrown by the pitcher.

As with baseball, a team can only score while batting. This is done by advancing counter-clockwise past a series of markers called bases situated at various locations on the field after making contact with the ball.

Contents 1 Introduction 2 Gameplay 2.1 General Structure 2.2 Rules 3 Footnotes

[edit] Introduction

Klambino Ball was created in Des Plaines, Illinois by childhood friends, and business associates, Dennis Gambino and Kasey Klamka. During a lazy summer day in 2002, the two friends were playing Wiffleball in Gambino's backyard. After losing several balls over the fence, the two young men decided to construct a ball out of household materials so that they would not have to buy more balls. They proceeded to make a ball out of wadded-up tissue paper wrapped in duct tape.

At first, Klamka and Gambino played Wiffleball with the new ball, but discovered that the signature yellow bat was not suited for such a ball. The boys decided that the bat would need to be changed as well. As a replacement, Gambino chose a wooden ice hockey stick that had no blade. Duct tape was added to the bottom of the stick to improve grip.

After several hours of playing, the two boys decided to make some different rules that would accomodate these new changes. The result of these changes became known as Klambino Ball. The name Klambino was chosen because of the last names of the game's creators.

Because of its simplicity, Klambino Ball can be played by most anyone. The small amount of equipment needed also makes the game easy to prepare for and clean up. In addition, many of the materials needed (stick or bat, duct tape, paper towels) are easily accesible.

[edit] Gameplay

[edit] General Structure

Klambino Ball is played between two players on a field similar, but much smaller, to that of a baseball field. There are no umpires in Klambino Ball, so players must make judgements themselves. If a call is debated, play will not resume until the players have come to an agreement. A Klambino Ball field has four bases. These bases are never one set object, so a wide variety of objects can be used. However, it is preferred to use an object such as a tree or a pole for first base so that a runner can run past the base as a runner in baseball would.

The four bases are located in the infield. Any ball hit to the right of the first base marker or the left of the third base marker is considered a foul ball.

A Klambino Ball field has no outfield, so any ball that leaves the infield on a fly is considered a home run ^[1]. Should a ball hit an object while in the air and remain in the infield, it is considered a live ball ^[2], and can be caught for an out.

A game consists of seven innings, each inning consisting of six outs. Players alternate between pitching and batting after each half inning (three outs). To win the a game, one must have scored more runs throughout the contest than the opponent or the opponent must forfeit, which can be done at any point during the game.

[edit] Rules

The rules are the same as baseball with the exception of the following:

Pitching, hitting, and running:

• a player may not bunt at any time
• a pitcher cannot issue an intentional walk to a batter
• if a player is a switch hitter, he/she does not have to stay on one side of the plate during an at bat, even if contact is made during the at bat
• players may not, nor should they need to wear a batting helmet or batting gloves
• if a ball is hit over a fence, in a bush, etc., the player who hit it is responsible for retrieval
• a pitcher must repair a ball if requested by the batter
• there is no drop third strike rule
• if a pitcher throws a wild pitch, ghost runners do not advance.
• a ghost runner cannot get a stolen base
• if a player hits a foul ball that stays in the batter's box, he/she can swing a second time at the ball

Fielding:

• no player is allowed to wear a glove while on the field
• a pitcher may get a batter out by pegging the batter after contact is made and the ball is in fair territory
• a pitcher may also throw the ball at a base to get a batter out (although the throw must beat the runner to the base)
• fair balls can be caught off of walls, trees, etc. for an out
• a player who is fielding can catch a ball of off his/herself as long as the ball does not hit the ground after contact with the player
• if a player throws at a base which a ghost runner is "running" toward, they only earn an out if their throw reaches this base before the human player reaches the base that he/she is running to
• a double play (or, on rare occasions, a triple play) can occur if a player can successfully tag/peg a player or base (or catch a ball) and then make contact with another base (by means of throwing, tagging, etc.) before the batter reaches base
• players may not slap a ball down if it is thrown at them, but they may use any other evasive moves that are needed (juke, spin, jump, etc.)
• if a ball can be seen, but is out of reach (perhaps because of a bush or shrub), a player can put his/her hands in the air and say "dead ball". The batter will then be awarded the base that he/she was in the process of running to at the time of the call.

Miscellaneous:

• there are no set breaks, but players may take breaks during games if the decision is mutual
• although not required, it is somewhat of a tradition to play the game barefoot
• any player can forfeit to their opponent at any time during the game
• no specific player is required to make a new ball if necessary, but generally, more experienced ball crafters are preferred for the job

[edit] Footnotes

1. ^  In the event that a ball lands in an enclosed area at the edge of the infield behind second base (and this depends on how the field is set up), the player will be granted a ground rule double.
2. ^  A ball can hit a specially chosen object while airborne for extra runs. To determine this object, players must discuss this object and its worth before the game.