School Pesäpallo: Finnish Baseball with a Vertical Pitch

Pesäpallo is Finland's national sport: the pitcher stands next to the batter and tosses the ball straight up, and the bases are run in a zigzag. The batter decides on every hit whether to run or wait, and the fielding team sets its positions based on the batter.

How to play

1. Explain how pesäpallo was created from baseball and traditional Finnish games, and draw the field: home, first base on the left, second farther out on the right, third back on the left and then home (4 min).
2. Practice in threes: a pitcher tosses the ball straight up about 3 feet above the batter's head, the batter hits it with the foam bat and a third player fields (6 min).
3. Explain the class version: three tries per batter, runners may go on any fair hit, a runner is out if the ball reaches the base first, and if a fly ball is caught the runner goes to the back of the line without counting as an out (3 min).
4. 7v7 game on two fields: switch roles when the batting team has three outs or everyone has batted (18 min).
5. Wrap-up: each team discusses when it paid to run and when to wait on base, and how the defense set up against the best hitters (4 min).

Rules

• Only the batter holds a bat; when running, set it on the ground, never throw it.
• No one stands within 15 feet of the batter except the pitcher, who steps away after tossing.
• To get a runner out, step on the base holding the ball; never tag or throw the ball at the runner.
• Teams waiting to bat stay behind a line of cones to one side of home.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair user: bats off a tee and a partner runs for them, or uses closer bases.
• Visual impairment: uses a large ball with a bell and a partner calls out the direction of the base.
• Lower-body injury: plays as pitcher or team coach and doesn't run.

Learning goals

• Make decisions based on the game situation: run, wait or hold a base.
• Organize defensive positions based on the batter.
• Learn about another country's national sport and compare it with baseball.

Equipment for a class of 25

• foam bats: 4
• tennis balls: 6
• cones: 16
• pinnies: 14
• worksheets: 4

Teacher tip

The vertical pitch makes batting easier for everyone, so it's a great bat sport for mixed-ability groups. Use foam bats or large plastic paddles to keep it safe.

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