One of my favorite games as a kid was Running Bases. Do you remember this game? This is the game that simulates a run down or a “pickle” in baseball. I can remember laughing my head off playing this game for hours until dark or complete exhaustion with my friends and usually my dad or one of their dads. I can remember the dads having a blast playing this game just as much as we did. Now that I am a dad, I have introduced the game to my oldest daughter and I am not sure who gets the bigger kick out of playing, her or me, but I do know that we have both shared some huge belly laughs.

One of the greatest things about Running Bases is that you don’t need any special equipment to play.  All you need is:

A tennis ball or a baseball and gloves
At least three people
Anything to mark a base on the ground.

If you remember the game introduce it to your kids. Running Bases is great exercise and a wonderful way to enjoy some fun, family time and have some laughs.

How to Play Running Bases

This is a game that simulates a run-down or a “pickle” in baseball. Two bases are designated about 40-60 feet apart from each other (or just two lines, like end-zones in football). Two people are selected as "throwers" and one or more people are the runners. (Works best with at least 2 runners) The throwers throw a tennis ball or baseball between each other and when a runner feels he or she has the speed edge, run from one base to the other. If tagged before the runner reaches the base, the runner gets an "out". Runners also receive an “out” if they run too far out of the baseline or if they do not run after a set number of throws (usually 3-5 throws).  This prevents contestants from simply not running.  Three “outs” and you are eliminated from the game. When only 1 runner is left, the game ends and the throwers become runners and a new game begins.

Strategies:

A thrower can induce players to run by throwing the ball high into the air, giving the runners extra time to make it to the other base. The runners will catch on to this strategy quickly so, throwers often fake throwing the ball into the air to trick a runner off the base This is the running bases version of the “old hidden ball trick.”  Good Luck!