Scoring
As in baseball, a team scores a point when a player "on base" successfully makes it to home base. A player can make it to home base in one of two ways - scoring a direct home run while at bat, or by being advanced by other player that come after you. See base advancement for more details.
Teams and Turns
There are two teams, usually named something goofy. One team will start "at bat", and the other team will take to the field. The team at bat will cycle through members taking their shots at making base hits. The opposing team has to wait until the team at bat receives three "outs." Once the team at bat receives three outs, the other team is now at bat, and now has a chance to take shots at making base hits. Once this team receives three outs, the inning is over.
Games consist of 9 innings, or as many as it takes to settle the game in the event the score is tied at the end of the ninth inning.
Base Hits
When at bat, your team will cycle through players. Each player will stand at the table, and toss the ping pong ball at four cups at the other end of the table. The cups shall be lined up linear to the player (as opposed to perpendicular).
The closest cup to the player represents a single base hit, the next being a double base hit, the one after that being a triple base hit, and the last one being a home run. If the ball hits the table or another cup before going into a cup, the base hit is still awarded, except for a home run. However, as soon as the ball hits any surface, it's able to be intercepted by the opposing team.
All ball that hits anything else besides a cup or the table is considered a dead ball.
Once a player makes a base hit, their turn is over and the next batter is up.
Outs
While at bat, your team has a few ways of declaring players "out".
Striking Out
You have three "strikes" before you are declared out. A strike is any complete miss of the four cups. This means anytime your ping pong ball hits either the table or ground. Once the ball hits the table or ground, it's considered "dead" and the player receives a strike. Get three of these, and you're out.
Games consist of 9 innings, or as many as it takes to settle the game in the event the score is tied at the end of the ninth inning.
Foul Balls
A foul ball is when the ball hits a cup, but doesn't make it into any cup. The ball must hit a cup before hitting the table or ground to be considered a foul. A foul ball is considered a strike, unless the player already has two strikes. You cannot "strike out" by fouling. If the ball hits a cup and the table at the same time, it's considered a foul.
Foul Tip Catch
If the ball hits a cup, and then is caught by the opposing team before the cup hits the table or ground, it's considered an immediate out.
Airball Out
If the player throws the ball past the end of the table, such that it never touches or has the opportunity to touch the table, and the opposing team catches the ball after it has passed the table but before the ball hits the ground, it's considered an immediate out.
Base Advancement
Hits
Once a player is on base, another player will be at bat. If this or any subsequent player hits a base hit, the player that was already on base also advances the same amount. For example, if Drew throws his ping pong ball into the second cup, he gets a double base hit, placing him on second base. Next, Hans throws his ping pong ball into the first cup, getting a single base hit. He advances to first base, and Drew now advances to third base. A base hit always advances all players on base, with the exception of a bunt.
Bunting
A bunt occurs when a player throws their ping pong ball, but the ball misses and bounces back. If the player is able to retrieve the ball back, before an opposing team member grabs it and before it hits the floor, they now have the option to take a bunt. Taking a bunt lands the player on first base, and is the only case that does NOT advance runners on base, unless said runners have to advance to make room for the new runner.
Home Runs
If a player throws their ball into the forth and furthest cup without bouncing anywhere else besides the fourth cup first, they hit a "home run." This means that they automatically score a point for themselves and any runner currently on base. All runners are then cleared from the bases. If the ball touches anything besides the fourth cup before making it into the cup, it's considered a ground rule double, and the player is awarded with a double base hit instead.
Defense
While your team is NOT at bat, you are considered as "on defense”. Any and all members of your team are allowed to intercept the ball when the rules allow, including catching foul tips, preventing a balls back retrieval for a bunt, etc.
Score Keeper
It's recommended to have someone keeping track of the score, current outs, and who's on base during play. This can be one person either playing or not playing, or can switch depending on who's team is up to bat.
