Finger Baseball
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Finger Baseball is a hand game played between two people similar to Odd or Even. The literal act of playing involves only the action of the players' hands and fingers, but the rules effect a simplified, imaginary, corresponding baseball game.
Contents |
[edit] Equipment
Two hands with 4 or more fingers, one hand from each opponent. Keeping written records/score is optional and is usually unnecessary.
[edit] Objective
To have the most total runs (points) at the end of 9 innings. If the score is tied, play can continue into extra innings until there is a winner.
[edit] Rules
Like the game Odd or Even players "shoot fingers" to play. At the start of the game one player is designated the "pitcher" and will be on defense. The other player is designated the "batter" and will be on offense. When both players signify they are ready, usually by eye contact, the pitcher will say, "One, two, three, shoot!" At that point both players simultaneously show a number of extended fingers, from 1 to 4. If the number on both hands matches, i.e. if the pitcher shows 2 fingers and the batter shows 2 fingers, the batter gets a "hit" and will get a corresponding "baserunner" (on second base in the given example). If the fingers don't match, i.e. if the pitcher shows 2 fingers and the batter shows 3, the batter will be declared "out." Play continues until 3 outs are made, at which point batter and pitcher trade roles. Each set of 3 outs is 1/2 of a full inning with a full inning allowing each player a turn on offense and defense. If the player on offense last is winning at the end of the 9th inning or in extra innings there is no need to play that last turn.
The number of fingers shown when batter and pitcher match will be the number of bases the batter will receive. A match of 4 fingers will constitute a "home run" and will add 1 run to the batters score for each baserunner on base including the batter. If on previous pitches the batter was able to gain baserunners, these will advance only if forced. For example; On a previous pitch, both players matched 3 fingers. Therefore, there is now one runner on 3rd base. On the next pitch, they match 1 finger, there will now be a runners on 1st and 3rd.
One run is scored for each imaginary baserunner that crosses/reaches the imaginary home plate.
[edit] Strategy
This game does involve a degree of strategy, but there is not necessarily as great an advantage to being a "veteran" as one might expect; whereas the veteran may make more logically analyzed plays, the rookie may not know them and have a higher degree of "randomness" to their game, thus "throwing off" the veteran's expectations. Predictability is a strategic weakness in finger baseball.
[edit] Record Keeping
It is possible to play finger baseball with no equipment other than two individuals and their hands. Therefore, no paper records are necessary as scores, innings, outs, baserunners can be (and usually are) kept in the minds of both players or a trusted observer. However, records can be kept if desired, and this facilitates expanding games of finger baseball to entire "seasons," tournaments played by groups of people, etc.
[edit] Rule Variations
Below are some rule variations that can be added to Finger Baseball to increase playability. After each of the variations where a play can be called "on-the-fly" a penalty can be used to limit their use.
[edit] Advance on Any Hit
An alternate of the advance runners rule. Baserunners can advance on any hit without needing to be forced. For example, if there is a runner on 3rd and a single is hit, the runner scores from 3rd and there is now one runner on 1st. The number of bases the runner can advance is equal to the number of fingers matched. For example, all runners can advance two bases on a double.
[edit] Hit and Run
Often in baseball, a runner on 2nd can score on a single. If a runner is on 2nd and a single is hit, the batter can call "Hit and Run" and both players shoot again to determine if the runner can score from 2nd base. If the number of fingers match, the runner on 2nd can score, otherwise the runner must stop on 3rd. Generally, three fingers are used for this variation. Penalty: If "Advance on Any Hit" variation is used, when the batter calls "Hit and Run" and the fingers do not match, the runner on 2nd must stay on 2nd. Without this penalty, the runner ends up at least on third anyway. Therefore the batter must weigh the chance of scoring against the penalty of being stuck on second when deciding to call "Hit and Run"
[edit] Sacrifice Fly
If a runner is on 3rd base and the number of outs is less than two, the batter can call "Sacrifice Fly" after an out. When this is called, both players shoot again with three fingers and if they match, the runner can score from 3rd. Penalty: If the fingers do not match the runner on 3rd is out. This has the effect of the runner trying to score from 3rd and being thrown out at the plate.
[edit] Double Play Ball
If a runner is on 1st the pitcher can call "Double Play Ball" after an out. When this is called, both players shoot again with three fingers and if they match, the runner on first is also out in addition to the out of the batter essentially resulting in a double play. Penalty: Catchers Interferrence - If the fingers do not match, the penalty is to the pitcher. The out is reversed and the runner from 1st is now on 2nd and the batter is awarded 1st.
[edit] Sacrifice Bunt
If a runner is on 1st, the batter may choose to "Sacrifice Bunt" in order to eliminate the "Double Play Ball" and put the runner in scoring position. The batter must call "bunt" before bother players shoot. In this case, if they match, the runner on 1st can advance to 2nd and the batter is out. If they do not match, the runner cannot advance while the batter is still out.
[edit] Intentional Walk
At times it can be advantageous to intentionally put a runner on 1st. To do this, the pitcher simply puts out a thumb instead of fingers and the batter automatically gets a runner on 1st.
The number of fingers used for these variations can be changed if both palyers agree to it at the beginning of a game.
