For cleanliness, don’t drink from these cups on the edge of the table, as you will be attempting to shoot the ball into these cups, and the ball can get a bit gross throughout the game. [4] X Research source Additionally, by filling these cups with water, you’ll avoid any bothersome stickiness on the ball.
If there are less than 4 players, defenders will have to cover more than one position.
If their ball lands in the first cup, they hit a single and advance to 1st base: the first cup on their right. If their ball lands in the second cup, they hit a double and advance to 2nd base: the second cup on their right. If their ball lands in the third cup, they hit a triple and advance to 3rd base: the third cup on their right. Finally, if their ball lands in the fourth cup, they hit a home run and score 1 point—known as a run—for their team![6] X Research source When a batter records a hit, defenders alternate drinking from their cup. [7] X Research source
If a ball bounces off a cup, and the catcher catches it before it hits the table or floor, the batter is also out. [9] X Research source If you’d like to add a bit of challenge, you can stipulate that catches can only be made with your non-dominant hand (the hand where you’d wear a glove in baseball). [10] X Research source
The runner begins the steal attempt at any time by picking up and drinking their cup, then placing it back on the edge of the table and attempting to flip it so that it lands upside-down on the table. [12] X Research source The defender across from the runner attempts to do the same. If the defender successfully flips their cup first, they have caught the runner stealing and they are out. If the runner successfully flips their cup first, they advance one base. [13] X Research source
You can play as many or as few innings as is fun for your group. Whenever you decide to stop, be sure it is at the end of an inning so the home team has an equal opportunity to score runs.
