FRANK ROBINSON GAME - HOW TO PLAY
Frank Robinson was created about 1973 by David Schorr and Jeff Leichter.
The Players
One player per team. At a minimum, you need one bat, one ball, and a glove for each player.
The Field
Any open grassy field will do. The size depends on how far you can hit the ball. It should be at least as long as the players’ farthest possible hit. Approximately 50 feet wide. The width depends on how far a player can reasonably cover. It should be just possible to hit a line drive past the player, but this should not be easily accomplished.
Aluminum bats may hit the ball too far. It is recommended to use wooden bats. Lighter bats are better, because they don't hit the ball as far as heavier bats. The fielder shouldn't have to stand too far away from the batter. Nobody wants to get a sore arm throwing the ball back to the batter!
The placement of the fielder depends on how far the batter can hit the ball and how well the fielder can catch a ball while running backwards.
Before the game begins, there should be several practice hits by the batter until he hits one or more as far as he thinks possible. While the hitter hits the ball, the fielder determines his ability to catch the ball while running back and to the sides.
The foul lines shall be at the points where the fielder can field a ground ball with reasonable effort.
The place where the fielder stands should be a spot where the average fly ball goes. Sometimes the fielder will have to run up to catch a ball and sometimes he will have to run back. The spot where the fielder stands should be where, with maximum effort, the fielder can catch almost all of the fly balls hit over his head. There should only be a handful of fly balls that go over the fielder's head which the fielder cannot catch in a game. Another way of stating this is the fielder stands in a position such that the farthest hit by the batter lands 10 feet over the fielder’s head after the fielder has done his best to run back and catch the ball.
The home run line is that point where the fielder, with maximum effort, cannot catch a ball hit over his head. It should be the batter's best hit.
The home run line is different for every fielder. One fielder may have the home run line 20 feet behind him. Another may have it 30 feet. It all depends on the farthest the batter can hit the ball and the ability of the fielder to catch a ball while running back. The home run line can be changed during the game.
The minimum line is where the fielder can run and catch a short pop fly without too much effort.
This is a cooperative game and relies on complete honesty as to how far the players can hit and field.
Hits and Outs
The player who is at bat tosses the ball in the air and hits it toward the player who is in the field.
Any hit which does not go past the minimum line is a foul ball.
If the fielder successfully fields a ground ball, the batter is out. Runners do not advance.
If the fielder fields a ground ball, but has to move back from his original position, the batter is out but the runners advance one base.
If the fielder catches a fly ball, the batter is out
If the fielder catches a fly ball, but has to step or run back from his original position, the batter is out but the runners advance one base from second and third base.
If the ball bounces once, it is a single and the runners advance 2 bases.
If the ball bounces twice, it is a single and the runners advance 1 base.
(optional) If the ball bounces three times, it is a single and the runners advance 1 base.
If the ball bounces once and passes the fielder, it is a single and the runners advance 2 bases
If the ball goes past the the fielder on the fly, it is a double and the runners advance 2 bases.
If the ball goes over the fielder’s head, but not past the home run line, it is a triple.
If the ball goes past the home run line it is a home run.
A swing and a miss is a strike. Three strikes are an out. Of course, the players can agree on any number of strikes being an out.
A foul ball is a strike, but for only strike one and two, just like in real baseball.
Three (or four) fouls is an out.
Innings
An inning can be 3, 4 or 5 outs. It is difficult to get base hits, so more outs makes the game more interesting. A game does not have to last 9 innings. Decide ahead of time how many innings makes a game and have fun!
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The Players
One player per team. At a minimum, you need one bat, one ball, and a glove for each player.
The Field
Any open grassy field will do. The size depends on how far you can hit the ball. It should be at least as long as the players’ farthest possible hit. Approximately 50 feet wide. The width depends on how far a player can reasonably cover. It should be just possible to hit a line drive past the player, but this should not be easily accomplished.
Aluminum bats may hit the ball too far. It is recommended to use wooden bats. Lighter bats are better, because they don't hit the ball as far as heavier bats. The fielder shouldn't have to stand too far away from the batter. Nobody wants to get a sore arm throwing the ball back to the batter!
The placement of the fielder depends on how far the batter can hit the ball and how well the fielder can catch a ball while running backwards.
Before the game begins, there should be several practice hits by the batter until he hits one or more as far as he thinks possible. While the hitter hits the ball, the fielder determines his ability to catch the ball while running back and to the sides.
The foul lines shall be at the points where the fielder can field a ground ball with reasonable effort.
The place where the fielder stands should be a spot where the average fly ball goes. Sometimes the fielder will have to run up to catch a ball and sometimes he will have to run back. The spot where the fielder stands should be where, with maximum effort, the fielder can catch almost all of the fly balls hit over his head. There should only be a handful of fly balls that go over the fielder's head which the fielder cannot catch in a game. Another way of stating this is the fielder stands in a position such that the farthest hit by the batter lands 10 feet over the fielder’s head after the fielder has done his best to run back and catch the ball.
The home run line is that point where the fielder, with maximum effort, cannot catch a ball hit over his head. It should be the batter's best hit.
The home run line is different for every fielder. One fielder may have the home run line 20 feet behind him. Another may have it 30 feet. It all depends on the farthest the batter can hit the ball and the ability of the fielder to catch a ball while running back. The home run line can be changed during the game.
The minimum line is where the fielder can run and catch a short pop fly without too much effort.
This is a cooperative game and relies on complete honesty as to how far the players can hit and field.
Hits and Outs
The player who is at bat tosses the ball in the air and hits it toward the player who is in the field.
Any hit which does not go past the minimum line is a foul ball.
If the fielder successfully fields a ground ball, the batter is out. Runners do not advance.
If the fielder fields a ground ball, but has to move back from his original position, the batter is out but the runners advance one base.
If the fielder catches a fly ball, the batter is out
If the fielder catches a fly ball, but has to step or run back from his original position, the batter is out but the runners advance one base from second and third base.
If the ball bounces once, it is a single and the runners advance 2 bases.
If the ball bounces twice, it is a single and the runners advance 1 base.
(optional) If the ball bounces three times, it is a single and the runners advance 1 base.
If the ball bounces once and passes the fielder, it is a single and the runners advance 2 bases
If the ball goes past the the fielder on the fly, it is a double and the runners advance 2 bases.
If the ball goes over the fielder’s head, but not past the home run line, it is a triple.
If the ball goes past the home run line it is a home run.
A swing and a miss is a strike. Three strikes are an out. Of course, the players can agree on any number of strikes being an out.
A foul ball is a strike, but for only strike one and two, just like in real baseball.
Three (or four) fouls is an out.
Innings
An inning can be 3, 4 or 5 outs. It is difficult to get base hits, so more outs makes the game more interesting. A game does not have to last 9 innings. Decide ahead of time how many innings makes a game and have fun!
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