Leaning Bat in the Circle

Skill: Catch, Run

Time Required: 10

Activity Type: Physical, Transition

Group Size: Large Group, Medium Group, Small Group

Age Group: 6 - 9yrs, 9 - 12yrs

Play area: Classroom (small indoor space), Gymnasium (large indoor space), Outdoor - Field

Safety Considerations: Ensure the participant in the centre gives room for the participant trying to catch the bat to catch it.

Equipment: 1 baseball bat (or pool noodle).

Objective:

For participants to not let the bat fall the ground when their number is called.

Set up:

Have all participants standing in a circle.
Leader will start in the centre with the bat.

Step by Step:

1. The leader will number off each participant.
2. Make sure participants know and remember their number.
3. The leader will be holding the bat in the centre of the circle so that it is standing up with one end on the ground.
4. The leader will call any number and let go of the bat. The participant whose number was called has to run to the centre of the circle and try to catch the bat before it falls to the ground.
5. If they do catch it before it falls to the ground, they are now in the centre.
6. If not, they go back to their place in the circle and the leader calls out another number.
7. Try to ensure all or most participants get a turn to be in the centre.

Variations:

If there are a lot of participants, create two different circles.

Adaptations (General):
It may make sense to allow some additional time for participants with a disability to attempt to catch the bat (e.g., allow up to 3 seconds from the time their number is called).

Sources: Developed for the Leisure Information Network.