Stealing Bases

Skill: Catch, Run, Throw
Time Required: 15
Activity Type: Physical
Group Size: Large Group, Medium Group, Small Group
Age Group: 6 - 9yrs, 9 - 12yrs, 13+ yrs
Play area: Gymnasium (large indoor space), Outdoor - Field
Safety Considerations: Remove any safety hazards and obstacles from the play area.
Remind participants to be aware of their surroundings and to keep their head up.
Ensure the basemen are throwing the ball safely and not towards the runners.
Don't allow sliding like in real baseball when players are stealing bases, unless it is safe to do so.
Equipment: Hoops or cones or rope (to make bases).
1 Ball (tennis ball or beanbag)
Objective:
For participants to run between 2 bases without getting tagged by the basemen.
Other Skills:
Speed
Set up:
If there are more than 15 participants, divide the participants into 2 groups.
Set up 2 bases (using a circle of hoops, pylons or rope) that are around 30 feet apart from one another for each group.
Select 2 basemen for each group.
Step by Step:
1. Each basemen will stand guarding one of the hoops.
2. The rest of the participants, are the runners and will be standing in the centre between the two bases.
3. When the leader says "Steal a base!", the runners all run to one of the two bases, and the basemen can start throwing the ball to each other.
4. When a runner is inside a base, they are safe, but they can only stay in there for 10 seconds before they have to leave the base.
5. When they leave, they don't have to run to the other base, but they have to run to at least almost half way before they can turn back.
6. While the runners are running, the basemen are trying to tag the runners.
7. They have to tag the runners with the ball, they cannot throw the ball at the runner.
8. It's important for the basemen to work together in order to tag runners.
9. The basemen can run as far down the baseline as they wish.
10. When a runner is tagged, they get an "out", when they get 3 "outs", are they are out of that round.
11. The last two runners left are the new basemen.
Variations:
When a runner is tagged, they are out for that round, they don't get 3 outs.
Have a third base set up, and 3 basemen and 2 balls in play.

Adaptations (General):
Consider allowing participants with disabilities extra time inside the base if needed.

Adaptations (Blindness/Visual Impairment):
Have another participant guide those who are blind or visually impaired.
Sources: Developed for the Leisure Information Network.