Rec Games
Kickball
Kickball is a playground game and also a competitive league game, similar to baseball, invented in the United States in about 1942. American World War II correspondent, Ernie Pyle, reported it being played by U.S. soldiers during the North African campaign, 1942-1943. It is typically played on a softball diamond with a 10- to 16-inch (250- to 400-mm) inflated rubber ball. The pitcher bowls the ball towards the catcher, and the "batter" kicks it with his foot. In some games, batters request a certain type of pitch-- rolling, bouncing slightly, or bouncing 1' to 2' off the ground. Once the ball is kicked, the batter's objective is to get to reach base. In addition to tagging a base to get a forced runner out, or getting a runner out by touching him/her with a held ball, fielders may throw the ball at a runner to get him/her out (though hitting a runner above the shoulders with a thrown ball is often either discouraged or illegal; the latter being the more common rule.). Sometimes, in pickup-type games, a "pitcher's hand" rule may be used. When this rule is in effect, the batter may be out if the pitcher has the ball at the mound before the runner reaches base. If a player catches the ball but has a body part on the ground the runner is safe.
Since a good kicker will often connect with a rolling ball, strikes and strikeouts are infrequent. The ball is very large and soft in comparison to a baseball or softball, so fielding is different as well: catching fly balls can be easier, but throwing the ball can be harder. Thus, the dynamics and strategy considerations of kickball turn out somewhat differently from those of baseball, softball, or over-the-line. Some leagues do not allow the bunt, emphasizing more on kicking for power (The bunt is considered "cheap" by some, as the defense cannot field it very well. As you guessed, a bunt is a very light kick that sends the ball only a few feet from the home plate. This allows the batter to run to first base safely, while the pitcher or another player gets the ball). Even if the ball hits a runner, the ball is still a live ball. Each player gets four attempts to kick the ball into fair territory. If the ball is kicked into foul territory, and caught by the defensive team, the kicker is out.
Other rules, often introduced at children's games where there are insufficient members of a given team, include the "ghost runner" rule, where a player on base can return to the plate leaving a "ghost runner" who advances one base for each base advanced by the kicker.
Dodgeball
Dodgeball (or dodge ball) is the name of a traditional elementary school game taught in physical education classes. It is also popular in informal settings and is often played by schoolchildren on a playground. There are many variations of the game, but each involves players trying to avoid being hit by a ball, that players on the other team are throwing at them.
Players are usually split into teams, though sometimes people play individually. A number (although sometimes only one) of medium-sized rubber balls are placed in a central location. The objective of each player is to hit an opponent, so as to eliminate him or her from the game. The game ends when one player (or team) remains. Foam balls are also sometimes used.
In some variants, catching the ball enacts a reversal; if the target catches (rather than dodges) the ball, the thrower is eliminated. In other variations, a catch (in addition to eliminating the thrower) also allows another player from the catching team to re-enter. In variants which do not allow catching, handling the ball counts as a hit, while punching or handling the ball with a closed fist does not. In all versions, a player who steps from his square to the enemy team's square is also eliminated.
One rule variant specifies that players, who are hit, instead of stepping off the court, sit down where they are hit. If any of these players should later catch a ball thrown by the opposing team, the opposing thrower is out (and must sit down) and the player who caught the ball is back in.
Some variants play where they play commonly on an indoor basketball court. Players can try to shoot the ball into the hoop on the opponents' team. If it makes it, all players from that team come back in.
BEAT THE BALL HOME*
The object of this game is to see if the base runner (on the scooter) can beat the ball home, as it is being thrown around the bases. The base runner does NOT stop on a base.
Tape X's on the floor where first base, second base, third base and home plate would be. Place a bowling pin on top of each "X." Divide into 2 teams. One team is the batting team and the other team is in the outfield. Assign positions for pitcher, first baseman, second baseman, third baseman and catcher.
The pitcher sits on a scooter, approximately where pitcher's mound would be. The basemen sit in FRONT of the pins, so the base runner (on the scooter) can go BEHIND the pin. That way they do not get in each other's way when trying to make the play at each base. The catcher sits behind the pin, ready to make the play at home. The outfielder's are on scooters, also. If there are not enough scooters, the extra players can do the crab walk. Rotate positions after each inning.
The base runner throws the ball out into the field and rides the scooter around the bases (pins). The outfielders THROW the ball to the first baseman, which catches the ball and knocks down the pin. He/she THROWS the ball to the second baseman that catches the ball and knocks down the pin. Repeat at third base and at home. If all the pins are down before the person on the scooter gets back home, the person is out. If any pins are standing when the person on the scooter gets home, the run scores.
Pins must be knocked down in order, first, second, third and home, even if the ball is closest to another base, other than first base.
The fielders must THROW the ball around the bases, not roll the ball. This adds to the excitement when students have a hard time catching the ball. Play 3 outs and switch sides.
There are other ways of making out.
OUTS:
1) All the pins are knocked down before the base runner gets home.
2) Catching a fly ball.
3) The base runner (on the scooter) knocks down the pin themselves, as they are going around the pin.
* When this game was played at CHS, scooters were not used. That is the only difference – all the rules are the same!
MAT BALL RULES:
1. Three outs allowed per team per inning.
2. There is a force out at first base only on the first time around the bases.
3. Players must go around the bases at least once, ending at either 1st or 3rd base. (Where you stop will depend upon which way you started running the bases.)
4. You do not have to run/or tag up on a fly ball that is caught.
5. As you cross the plate your second time around to score it is up to you to record your score on the board.
6. A home run is when the ball stays in the far balcony.
7. You can catch the ball for an out of any object in the gym except the floor.
8. If you step off the base you must run to the next with the exception of when you can't stop and your momentum carries you a step or two off the base but your intention was to remain. In this case you can remain on the base without being tagged out.
9. You can only hit people with a thrown ball below the waist.
10. You may tag a player out at any time by tagging them on any part of their body with the ball.
11. Batting order must rotate in order of gender.
12. Arguing will result in an out being called against your team.
13. The ball must be kicked forward of home plate.
14. Close calls at a base will go to the runner provided they hustled to get to the base.
15. Once the ball is kicked, a total of three balls are then used in the game. One ball for kicking and throwing and two balls just for throwing.
