|
Fun Baseball Activities
Extra
Innings Club
Build a
Backyard Ball Field
Playing "In
The Middle"
The Game of 500
"1st Base" (3-5
players)
"2 Bases" (6-8
players)
|
The Baseball Game of "In The Middle"
In this game, sometimes referred to as "Monkey In The Middle",
there are two throwers and a runner. Two bases are set up
anywhere from 30-50 ft. apart and the runner stands on either of the
bases to start. 2 foot square carpet fragments work well for bases.
A soft T-ball and perhaps a batters helmet should be used for this game since throws will be
made close to the runner each time. Each thrower stands on one of the
bases. The play proceeds as follows:
- The runner tries to run to the other
base whenever they feel they can make it successfully.
- The throwers must get the runner out
by tagging the runner with the ball when they are off base.
- Once the runner gets to the base,
they can turn around and run toward the other base if there is a
missed catch.
- The runner keeps track of how many
times they get to the opposite base before being tagged out.
- The person tagging the runner gets
to be in the middle once the runner is thrown out.
- As in regular baseball, the runner
may not run off the baseline.
Variations
- You may require that the runner get
3 outs.
- The runner never throws or catches.
This is a good option if you only have a little brother or sister to
run who can't catch that well. Generally, a little brother or sister
will be happy to be the permanent runner.
- You may play "force out" instead of
requiring the tag.
- You may require that the throwers
throw pop-ups to give the runner a head start or you may require
that grounders be thrown.
John of California recently emailed me that the game of "Monkey in the Middle" is referred to as "Pickle" on the West Coast!
John also said that even high school baseball teams used it as a
baserunning drill.
|
