RULES OF THE GAME

FLATBAT BASEBALL

Chicago, IL

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1. Introduction

Batball is a fast-paced, high-scoring adaptation of baseball that blends the best of cricket and baseball. Designed for continuous action and simplified rules, Batball emphasizes hitting, movement, and energy on every pitch.

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2. Key Differences from Traditional Baseball

Batball keeps baseball's basic shape - bases, innings, fielders - while borrowing from cricket to speed up play and reward aggressive, continuous action. The four changes below define the game; full mechanics for each are cross-referenced to their detailed rule section.

2.1 Flat Bat

Batters use a cricket-style flat bat instead of a cylindrical or round baseball bat.

Why: A flat bat makes it easier to connect with pitches and place the ball intentionally, reducing weak pop-ups and endless foul balls.

2.2 Wickets Replace the Strike Zone

Instead of an umpire's judgment call on a strike zone, pitchers aim at a physical target: three vertical wickets (stumps) measuring 9 inches wide by 28 inches tall. A pitch that hits the wickets directly is an out (see Section 7.1).

Why: Eliminates subjective calls on balls and strikes, speeds up play, and creates fairness for both pitchers and batters.

2.3 Fixed Pitch Count

Each team receives 80 pitches total, split into two innings of 40 pitches, and must score as many runs as possible within them (see Section 4.2).

Why: Ensures the game finishes in under 90 minutes and gives each team a mid-game adjustment period.

2.4 No Balls-and-Strikes Count

Batters may swing freely with no penalty for a swing and miss or weak contact. In exchange, every legal pitch must be thrown directly at the wickets without a bounce, and one clean strike on the wickets is an out (see Sections 5.4 and 7.1).

Why: With a wide flat bat and no penalty for missed swings, batters are expected to defend their wickets. A single clean strike on the wickets balances that offensive freedom with defensive accountability.

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3. Equipment & Target

Bat: A flat, cricket-style bat.

Baseball: Standard regulation baseball

Wickets (Target): Three vertical wickets (stumps), 9 inches wide by 28 inches tall, positioned where a traditional strike zone would be. (same as sricket)

Field: Same as Baseball Field

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4. Game Format

4.1 Teams

Each team fields 9 players (fielders and batters). Pitchers do not need to be declared in advance and can be brought to pitch at any time.

4.2 Pitch Count & Innings

Each team receives 80 pitches total, split into two innings of 40 pitches. A team's turn at bat ends when any of the following occurs: 40 pitches have been thrown, all batters are out, or a batter fails to leave home plate after 3 consecutive good (non-wide) pitches. Wide balls do not count toward the 80-pitch total (see Section 5.4).

4.3 Batting & Pitching Order

Team captains or Coaches may set and change their batting and pitching order at any time during the inning. Each batter enters to bat just once per inning; because batting is continuous (see Section 6.2), a batter faces every pitch thrown to them until they move to the next base or are out. After the batter completes a run, they don’t leave, but continue batting. Pitchers may only be swapped between overs - sets of 10 pitches - not mid-over (see Section 5.1).

4.4 Victory

The team with the most runs once both teams have completed their 80 pitches wins.

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5. Pitching Rules

5.1 Overs: Pitchers throw in sets of 10 pitches (“overs”), as in cricket. A pitcher may only be replaced between overs, not mid-over.

5.2 Pitcher Limits: Each pitcher may throw a maximum of 3 overs (30 pitches) per game; these overs do not need to be consecutive.

5.3 Minimum Pitchers: Teams must use at least 3 different pitchers to complete an 80-pitch game. This makes it fair and puts less stress on pitcher’s arms.

5.4 Delivery & Wide Balls: Every pitch must be thrown directly at the wickets without bouncing before reaching them. A pitch that lands more than 9 inches off target, or that bounces before reaching the wickets, is a Wide Ball and does not count toward the 80-pitch total. A second Wide Ball to the same batter results in an automatic walk to first base.

Why: Prevents pitcher overuse and injury, reduces emphasis on raw velocity, and keeps the game equitable.

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6. Batting Rules

Batters have two objectives:

1. Defend the Wickets – protect them from being struck by a pitch.

2. Score Runs – advance around the bases after hitting into fair territory.

 

6.1 Continuous Batting

A batter keeps facing pitches and remains at bat until they are out - there is no one-pitch limit per turn.

6.2 Scoring & Returning Home

After completing a run, the batter returns to home plate to bat again immediately, unless home plate is occupied.

6.3 Home Runs

A home run counts as 1 run automatically. The batter does not need to run and remains at home plate to face the next pitch.

6.4 Declining to Run

A batter may decline to run after hitting the ball directly to a fielder and remains at bat for the next pitch.

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7. Ways a Batter Can Be Out

7.1 Bowled (Struck Out): The pitch hits the wickets.

7.2 Caught Out: A fielder catches the batted ball in the air.

7.3 Run Out: A fielder tags the base before the batter arrives. Once a batter has passed the halfway point between bases, they must commit to advancing - no “pickles”; once committed, it is a force play.

7.4 LBW (Leg Before Wicket): If the batter's body blocks a pitch that would otherwise have hit the wickets, the umpire may declare the batter out. Contact does not need to be on the leg specifically.

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8. Fielding Rules

Each team fields 9 players, as in baseball. Fielders aim to:

• Dismiss batters via catches or run-outs.

• Prevent scoring by cutting off hits, limiting base advancement, and stopping home runs.

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