500: Fly Ball Batting Game

A classic American playground game where one player hits off a tee and everyone else tries to catch the ball, earning points until someone reaches 500. Students practice catching fly balls and grounders, directed hitting, and keeping score.

How to play

1. Make groups of 5 and set 5 tees in a row about 20 ft apart, all hitting in the same direction; fielders spread out 30–60 ft in front (2 min).
2. The batter hits the soft ball off the tee toward their group's area; everyone else tries to catch it.
3. Points for the fielder: fly ball 100, one bounce 75, two bounces 50, grounder 25; dropping a ball that was catchable in the air costs 50.
4. Whoever reaches 500 becomes the batter and resets to zero; if nobody gets there, change batters every 6 hits so everyone bats.
5. The old batter joins the fielders with 0 points and play continues (16 min).

Rules

• Safety: all groups hit in the same direction and nobody enters another group's area.
• If two fielders go for the same ball, the one who calls 'Mine!' has priority.
• Each player calls out their score after every catch.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: field from a fixed spot closer in, and their grounder catches count 50.
• Autism: post the point scale on a sign and let them track their score on a whiteboard if they prefer.
• Skill level: use a bigger, softer ball for students who struggle to catch.

Learning goals

• Get under the ball's path and catch it with two hands.
• Hit the ball toward the fielding area.
• Keep their own score honestly.

Equipment for a class of 25

• batting tees: 5
• soft bats: 5
• soft balls: 10
• cones: 12

Teacher tip

Review catching technique: hands together like a basket, eyes on the ball all the way in. Watch that fielders do not bunch up in one spot; have them spread out at different depths.

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