Disc Baseball

A no-bat game: the batting team throws a soft disc as far or as cleverly as they can and runs the bases, while the fielding team has to catch it and pass it through every player before the runner gets home. It builds throwing, catching, and teamwork.

How to play

1. Set up two fields, each with 4 cone bases in a 15 m (50 ft) square and a hoop at home plate. Mark two foul lines fanning out from home with cones. Make 4 teams of 6 (the 25th student joins one) and pair two teams on each field (2 min).
2. Standing in the home-plate hoop, the thrower makes a backhand throw into the field, inside the foul lines, and runs the bases as far as possible.
3. Fielders pass the disc, no running with it, until everyone has touched it; the last one drops it in the home hoop and shouts 'Stop!'
4. The runner earns 1 point for each base passed before 'Stop!' and 4 points for a full lap. If the throw is caught in the air, that thrower scores nothing.
5. Every player on the batting team throws once per inning; then the teams switch. An inning takes about 4 or 5 minutes.
6. Play 2 innings per team and finish by totaling points and talking about how the fielding team organized itself (2 min).

Rules

• The disc must land inside the foul lines; if it doesn't, the thrower gets one redo.
• A runner may stop on a base and keep going on the next throw.
• Safety: the batting team waits behind a line 5 m from home, and runners circle outside the bases.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a student using a wheelchair throws and a buddy runs for them, or they run a closer set of bases 8 m apart.
• Hearing impairment: the fielder calling 'Stop!' also raises the home hoop overhead.
• Skill or fitness level: the thrower may choose a backhand or a two-handed toss.

Learning goals

• Throw the disc backhand toward open space in the field.
• Organize the fielding team to move the disc quickly.
• Take turns throwing and celebrate team success.

Equipment for a class of 25

• soft flying discs: 4
• cones: 16
• hoops: 2

Teacher tip

At first the fielding team just stands and watches, so have them spread out into zones before each throw. If scores are low, shorten the distance between bases.

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