Baseball and Softball
We have combined two of our most popular articles from last year as we think these sports should be played more in schools. Have a look and see what you think.
Softball
Softball is not just another name for baseball. It’s a similar, linked, but separate sport.
Don’t you think it would be great to have a sport at school that boys and girls can play together in the same team? Instead of there being separate teams for cricket or the girls only playing rounders... slow pitch softball is for boys and girls.
Let your schools know that they can get involved through the new Fun at Bat programme in partnership with Major League Baseball: http://www.baseballsoftballuk.com/funatbat
- School can contact them directly at either funatbat@bsuk.com or, more generally, playball@bsuk.com.
Like baseball and rounders your team takes it in turns to bat and to throw the ball (pitch) and field. If batting, once you have hit the ball you drop the bat then run to the closest ‘base’. You then try to run to the next bases as your team mates bat in turn, hoping not to be run out in between.
If fielding you take it in turns to bowl (under arm for slowpitch softball) and if not bowling you are fielding, looking to catch the batters out (wearing a glove) or to run them out between the bases. Like this.
It’s a summer and winter sport with winter indoor leagues. This Easter holidays why not set some bases up in the garden with your family and give this great sport a try?
Baseball
’Baseball is a sport which promotes good health, social skills, teamwork, develops physical coordination, is inclusive for beginners and skilled participants of all ages or gender and is fun.’’
How could you get involved and learn to play? If you visit the baseball website at www.britishbaseball.org and go to the drop down tab BBF Clubs all of the organisations across the country are listed. Click on the town or city closest to you and all the contact details you need will be on there for when the clubs are running sessions again.
Or let your schools know that they can get involved through the new Fun at Bat programme in partnership with Major League Baseball:
http://www.baseballsoftballuk.com/funatbat
Your school can contact them directly at either funatbat@bsuk.com or, more generally, playball@bsuk.com.
Did you know that there are British National Teams for your age group too? There are U12, U15 AND U18 National Teams.
So give baseball a try when you can or through school and have fun!
With thanks to Baseball Softball UK and The British Baseball Federation for the use of videos in this article.