Ragball Study Guide

Rag Ball is a sport similar to baseball or softball.  The same basic equipment is used except the ball is slightly larger than a baseball and softer than a softball.  The playing field is set up similar to little league softball and the ball is pitched underhand.  A regulations game is 7 innings long.  In slow pitch rag ball, the ball is pitched in a high, slow arc, making it an easy target to hit.  In slow pitch rag ball, bunting and base stealing are not allowed.  Players are also not allowed to lead off.

GENERAL RULES

-In the game of rag ball, two teams take turns playing in the field and at bat for an established number of innings.
-The players on the batting team will be batting in specified order called a batting order.
-Each team is allowed three outs when at bat.
-An out can occur several ways:
        -a ball is caught before touching the ground
        -a ground ball is caught and thrown to first base before the batter gets there
        -a baserunner is not touching a base and is tagged by a fielder holding the ball
        -a fielder holding a ball touches a base with a runner advancing to it, and runners are 
          on the previous base-Force Out
        -a player advances to the next base and does not return to that base on a caught 
       fly ball- they must tag up before advancing to the next base when the ball is caught
        -a strike is a ball swung at and missed or a ball hit into foul territory-  in PE rag ball,
         the third foul ball counts as a strike and you are out
-If a batter advances to only first base, it is called a single; to second base on one hit, a double; to third base, a triple; and all the way around the bases on one hit, a homerun.
-There are no walks in PE rag ball

BATTING

-When batting, both feet must remain in the batter's box until the ball has been hit.  Failing to do so results in the batter being called out.
-Each batter gets three strikes- foul balls count as strikes.
-The batters must bat in the same order.

 

BASERUNNING

-Once a batter reaches first base, he or she is called a baserunner.
-A player must touch every base as her or she goes around.
-The baserunner must not deviate from his or her natural running path to avoid a tag; doing so results in the baserunner being called out.
-If the ball is caught off the bat and the baserunner has left the base she or he was occupying, he or she must return to that base before attempting to proceed (tagging up).

FIELDING

-When the fielding side makes three outs, the teams switch over.
-To force a runner out at a base, the runner must be forced to the next base.  For example, the batter is forced to run to first base when that runner hits the ball and if there is anyone on first base, then he or she will be forced to second base.
-To force a runner out, the ball must reach the base before the runner and the base player must have control of the ball and must have some part of him- or herself touching the base.
-To tag a runner out, all you need to do is touch the runner with the ball or the glove with the ball in it.
-If the ball is overthrown and goes dead, the runner is awarded one base from the last base touched at the point of the throw.
-The ball can be caught and an out made if the ball is hit foul.

RAGBALL TERMINOLOGY

Bases Loaded-  A runner on each base.
Batting Order-  The official order in which a team must come to bat.
Count-  The number of balls and strikes.
Defensive Team-  The team on the field.
Fly Ball-  Any ball batted into the air and caught without having touched the ground.
Foul Ball-  A ball batted outside of fair territory.
Grand Slam-  A homerun with the bases loaded.
Grounder-  A batted ball hit on the ground.
Infield-  Fair territory within the base path.
Offensive Team-  The team at bat.
Out-  The retirement of the batter or baserunner during play.
Outfield-  The fair territory beyond the infield.
Overrun-  To run beyond a base.  This can only be done on 1st base.
RBI-  Run batted in.
Stealing-  A baserunner trying to advance to the next base as the pitcher throws the ball to the batter.
Tag-  To touch a base with the ball in your hand before the runner, or to touch a runner with the ball in your hand.
Tag Up-  On a long fly, the runner goes back to the bag and then runs after the ball is touched by a fielder.
Triple Play-  Three outs that are the result of continuous action on one batted ball.

P.E. RULES

-No Walks, No Stealing Bases, No Bunting, No Lead Offs, No Sliding, No Arguing
-No Interfering with baserunners or fielders
-Batting is Girl/Boy order
-Change positions in the field each inning
-Get the ball back to the pitcher as quickly as possible...baserunners can't advance if the pitcher has the ball
-Hustle in and out
-Stay in your position