Are you tired of playing basketball? Tired of baseball? The perfect solution is a mixture of the two, the BASEketball! Originally invented in the movie BASEketball, with South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, BASEketball has evolved from a fictional game to a real popular sport! Although it started out as a simple joke, it now has real rules just like the sports it was born from.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Making Teams
Step 1. Find the players
You will need two teams, each with the same number of players. In the US intra-university BASEketball regulations, a maximum of six (6) players are allowed per team. Of course, you will be able to play with as many people as you can find.
Step 2. Decide on roles
Each team will need both attacking and defensive players. In a team of six players, it will be preferable to have three in attack and three in defense.
- For defense, two players serve in the "outfield" while one stands next to the shooter to try to "distract" him, as will be explained in Part 3.
- For the attack, the three players are on the field: one is the shooter while the others, just like in baseball, are the runners on the bases.
Step 3. Determine the number of innings
In baseball, there are nine innings, each corresponding to a period of play in which one team plays on offense and the other on defense. You can choose to use all nine or set any other number you prefer.
Part 2 of 4: Prepare the Game
Step 1. Get a basketball hoop
You can use a basket fixed on a building or a freestanding structure. Just make sure you have at least 7-8 meters of free space in front to make the pitch.
Step 2. Prepare the pitch
Sidewalk chalks are ideal for this purpose, as they go away quickly and are usually sold in numerous colors. A BASEketball court combines elements of baseball and basketball, using a space corresponding to approximately half the basketball court. Imagine it as a baseball diamond inside a rectangular half-court.
Step 3. Draw four square bases arranged in a diamond shape (♦)
The "tip" of the long side of the diamond should be exactly in front of the basket. The other "striker", opposite to the first and also called "home plate", should be about 6-7 meters from the basket, positioned directly in front of it. It will be better to make the home plate a little larger than the others or use a different color to distinguish it.
Just like in baseball, first base is located on the diamond to the right of home plate, while third base is always located on the diamond but to the left of home plate
Step 4. Score several shooting points
Use different chalk colors to tell them apart, if you have any. The different shooting positions must be arranged in a line starting from the basket creating a more or less triangular shape, with the points closest to the basket even closer to each other and gradually more widespread as they move away from home plate. Arrange the rows of squares so that one is in the middle of the "diamond" (roughly in line with the basket and home plate), while the others slant to any side just outside the diamond. The squares should form rough lines so that the triple ones are a little behind the double ones, that they will be a little behind the single ones, etc.
- Draw two bunt squares exactly in front of the basket on either side. The bunt squares should be in line with 2nd base (in front of the basket).
- Draw three single squares on the free-throw line (about 3 meters from the basket).
- Draw three double squares between the free throw line and the 3-point line (between 3 and 6 meters from the basket).
- Draw three triple squares on the 3-point line (beyond 6 meters from the basket).
Part 3 of 4: Playing Attack
Step 1. Get a basketball and do a shooting contest to see who gets the ball first
The first to score from the free throw line (horizontal line between first and third base) will have the ball.
Step 2. Choose a shooting square
The player who received possession of the ball in Step 1 will choose a square to shoot from. The square chosen determines the number of bases awarded if the player scores: singles give a base, double twos and triples three.
Bunt squares cause each runner to move forward one base, but do not allow home plate to be bunted. Bunts also result in "losing an out". If your team already has two players out, you will not be able to bunt
Step 3. Take a shot
You have to stand inside the square while shooting. Exiting the square during the shot is equivalent to an out. If you miss the shot (i.e. if you fail to hit the basket or hit the backboard) it is counted as an out. A player counted as "out" cannot shoot again for the remainder of the inning. If you hit, the number of bases is awarded depending on which square you were shooting from.
- You cannot shoot from the same square twice. Once a throw has been made from a square, the team will no longer be able to use it for the remainder of the inning. You may find it helpful to use small objects such as puppets to mark used squares.
- If your shot does not enter the basket but hits the inside square of the backboard, you could use a "drop". In basketball, a "postponement" occurs when a player is able to secure recovery from a bad shot by his team. If you or a teammate manage to "postpone" the shot, you have scored.
Step 4. Run on the basics
After a successful shot, players must run on the bases just like in baseball. A hit from a single square will advance the runner one base, and so on as previously explained.
Step 5. Complete a round of shots
A unique feature of BASEketball is that each player must shoot in a specific order in each inning. If a player shoots from a single square the first time, he will have to try a double the next time he "must bat" and a triple the next time. If the first roll is a run to home plate, you will have to play from a single square to the next round.
Part 4 of 4: Playing Defense
Step 1. Arrange the players
Two players serve in the "outfield" near the basket to try recovery shots, while the third defending player stands next to the shooter trying to "distract" him.
Step 2. Distract your opponents
"Distractions" are a hallmark of BASEketball and are used to disturb the shooter's concentration. Only one player at a time will be able to implement "distraction" tactics; it cannot be done as a team game. The defender who has the task of "distracting" the opponent may use supports, shouts and any kind of stupid behavior as a distraction technique, but he must not actually touch the ball or the shooter, nor limit his horizon of sight or impair their vision (such as placing your hands in front of their face). Of course, one of the most important components of the game is fair and sporting conduct, so also make sure you don't hurt your feelings or hurt anyone!
Step 3. Recover the wrong shots
The offense can try a "steal" if the shooter misses the shot, but the defense can also try to retrieve a missed shot using a "double play" if they have runners on base. If the defense recovers the shot, the shooter and the player closest to home plate are both out.
- If the defense misses the shot during the double play, the offense is allowed to "tap in" the wrong shot for a reconversion of the game. A valid tap-in must be performed with both feet off the ground (so you'll have to jump to try to do this). Any player on base is allowed to attempt a tap-in on the shot. If the first attempt is missed, the shooter may also try to recover his shot. If one of these extra throws is successful, the shooter is awarded the bases he was shooting for at the beginning.
- Only two conversion attempts can be made during a game. If no shot is successful after two attempts, the game is said to be "dead".
Advice
- Have fun. BASEketball is not a professional sport, so adjust the rules and matches to suit the needs that arise as you play. If you think that making some changes will make the game more fun for you or your friends, do it without problems!
- Be patient. Just like other sports, BASEketball can be difficult at first. Relax and don't take it too seriously. You will improve with time and experience!
