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Baseball · Interesting Facts

Chapter 10: Other Forms of the Game

10 parts · 10 tests · 100 facts · updated 28 October 2026 · markdown

Games that grew from baseball or beside it: Wiffle ball, the street games of New York, beep baseball for blind players, vintage base ball, softball's beginnings, kickball, Over-the-Line, 16-inch softball, Banana Ball and the Miracle League.

10.101Wiffle Ball

The plastic ball with holes that curves in any backyard.

Test 1Wiffle ballTake a test

  1. His family still runs the company.

    Source: The Wiffle Ball, Inc. (company history and official rules); Smithsonian Magazine, 'The Wiffle ball' (2017); National Toy Hall of Fame · recall

  2. The factory is in the town of Shelton.

    Source: The Wiffle Ball, Inc. (company history and official rules); Smithsonian Magazine, 'The Wiffle ball' (2017); National Toy Hall of Fame · recall

  3. The other half is solid.

    Source: The Wiffle Ball, Inc. (company history and official rules); Smithsonian Magazine, 'The Wiffle ball' (2017); National Toy Hall of Fame · recall

  4. They are long slots rather than round holes.

    Source: The Wiffle Ball, Inc. (company history and official rules); Smithsonian Magazine, 'The Wiffle ball' (2017); National Toy Hall of Fame · recall

  5. His son had tried to throw curves with a hard ball.

    Source: The Wiffle Ball, Inc. (company history and official rules); Smithsonian Magazine, 'The Wiffle ball' (2017); National Toy Hall of Fame · recall

  6. The bat has been the same colour for decades.

    Source: The Wiffle Ball, Inc. (company history and official rules); Smithsonian Magazine, 'The Wiffle ball' (2017); National Toy Hall of Fame · recall

  7. Hits are decided by where the ball lands.

    Source: The Wiffle Ball, Inc. (company history and official rules); Smithsonian Magazine, 'The Wiffle ball' (2017); National Toy Hall of Fame · recall

  8. It all happened in 1953.

    Source: The Wiffle Ball, Inc. (company history and official rules); Smithsonian Magazine, 'The Wiffle ball' (2017); National Toy Hall of Fame · recall

  9. The plastic ball weighs far less than a tennis ball; a baseball about 5 ounces.

    Source: The Wiffle Ball, Inc. (company history and official rules); Smithsonian Magazine, 'The Wiffle ball' (2017); National Toy Hall of Fame · recall

  10. The son's friends shouted it when a batter missed.

    Source: The Wiffle Ball, Inc. (company history and official rules); Smithsonian Magazine, 'The Wiffle ball' (2017); National Toy Hall of Fame · applied

10.102Street Games of New York

Stickball, stoopball, punchball and boxball.

Test 1Street games of New YorkTake a test

  1. The name came from the company that made it.

    Source: Smithsonian National Museum of American History; New York City Department of Parks; SABR BioProject, Willie Mays; New York Times features on street games · recall

  2. A big hitter was called 'a three-sewer man'.

    Source: Smithsonian National Museum of American History; New York City Department of Parks; SABR BioProject, Willie Mays; New York Times features on street games · recall

  3. Points depended on how the ball came back.

    Source: Smithsonian National Museum of American History; New York City Department of Parks; SABR BioProject, Willie Mays; New York Times features on street games · recall

  4. There was no pitcher; the batter bounced the ball himself.

    Source: Smithsonian National Museum of American History; New York City Department of Parks; SABR BioProject, Willie Mays; New York Times features on street games · recall

  5. Players hit the ball with their hands across the lines.

    Source: Smithsonian National Museum of American History; New York City Department of Parks; SABR BioProject, Willie Mays; New York Times features on street games · recall

  6. Leagues still play there.

    Source: Smithsonian National Museum of American History; New York City Department of Parks; SABR BioProject, Willie Mays; New York Times features on street games · recall

  7. Play started again once it had passed.

    Source: Smithsonian National Museum of American History; New York City Department of Parks; SABR BioProject, Willie Mays; New York Times features on street games · recall

  8. Traffic was the game's biggest hazard.

    Source: Smithsonian National Museum of American History; New York City Department of Parks; SABR BioProject, Willie Mays; New York Times features on street games · recall

  9. The hollow pink ball was made to bounce.

    Source: Smithsonian National Museum of American History; New York City Department of Parks; SABR BioProject, Willie Mays; New York Times features on street games · recall

  10. He often played with them on the mornings of home games.

    Source: Smithsonian National Museum of American History; New York City Department of Parks; SABR BioProject, Willie Mays; New York Times features on street games · applied

10.103Beep Baseball

The game for blind players with a ball that beeps.

Test 1Beep baseballTake a test

  1. A sound unit is built inside.

    Source: National Beep Baseball Association (history and rules); Telephone Pioneers of America · recall

  2. Phone company volunteers later improved it.

    Source: National Beep Baseball Association (history and rules); Telephone Pioneers of America · recall

  3. The pitcher wants the batter to hit it.

    Source: National Beep Baseball Association (history and rules); Telephone Pioneers of America · recall

  4. If a fielder holds the ball first, he is out.

    Source: National Beep Baseball Association (history and rules); Telephone Pioneers of America · recall

  5. Fielders wear them too.

    Source: National Beep Baseball Association (history and rules); Telephone Pioneers of America · recall

  6. Teams come from several countries.

    Source: National Beep Baseball Association (history and rules); Telephone Pioneers of America · recall

  7. The first World Series was held the same year.

    Source: National Beep Baseball Association (history and rules); Telephone Pioneers of America · recall

  8. Sighted spotters on the field help fielders too.

    Source: National Beep Baseball Association (history and rules); Telephone Pioneers of America · recall

  9. 1964, the early 1970s, then 1976.

    Source: National Beep Baseball Association (history and rules); Telephone Pioneers of America · recall

  10. An operator switches on one base at random.

    Source: National Beep Baseball Association (history and rules); Telephone Pioneers of America · applied

10.104Vintage Base Ball

Clubs that play by the rules of the 1860s.

Test 1Vintage base ballTake a test

  1. Players call it the 'bound rule'.

    Source: Vintage Base Ball Association (rules and glossary, 1860 and 1864 rules); Library of Congress, early base ball · recall

  2. The pitcher is often called the hurler.

    Source: Vintage Base Ball Association (rules and glossary, 1860 and 1864 rules); Library of Congress, early base ball · recall

  3. The word comes from the 1860s.

    Source: Vintage Base Ball Association (rules and glossary, 1860 and 1864 rules); Library of Congress, early base ball · recall

  4. Runners score aces by crossing home.

    Source: Vintage Base Ball Association (rules and glossary, 1860 and 1864 rules); Library of Congress, early base ball · recall

  5. Clubs play to the rules of a chosen year.

    Source: Vintage Base Ball Association (rules and glossary, 1860 and 1864 rules); Library of Congress, early base ball · recall

  6. It became one word in the 20th century.

    Source: Vintage Base Ball Association (rules and glossary, 1860 and 1864 rules); Library of Congress, early base ball · recall

  7. To 'muff' a ball is still to drop it.

    Source: Vintage Base Ball Association (rules and glossary, 1860 and 1864 rules); Library of Congress, early base ball · recall

  8. Catching on the fly was later required.

    Source: Vintage Base Ball Association (rules and glossary, 1860 and 1864 rules); Library of Congress, early base ball · recall

  9. The cheer is often 'Huzzah!'.

    Source: Vintage Base Ball Association (rules and glossary, 1860 and 1864 rules); Library of Congress, early base ball · recall

  10. Gloves came in only in the 1870s and 1880s.

    Source: Vintage Base Ball Association (rules and glossary, 1860 and 1864 rules); Library of Congress, early base ball · applied

10.105Softball's Beginnings

A boxing glove, a boat club and a Thanksgiving game.

Test 1Softball's beginningsTake a test

  1. Fans were waiting for a football score.

    Source: USA Softball (formerly the Amateur Softball Association) history; National Softball Hall of Fame; Chicago Tribune archive (Farragut Boat Club, 1887); World Baseball Softball Confederation · recall

  2. A broom handle served as the bat.

    Source: USA Softball (formerly the Amateur Softball Association) history; National Softball Hall of Fame; Chicago Tribune archive (Farragut Boat Club, 1887); World Baseball Softball Confederation · recall

  3. He was a reporter.

    Source: USA Softball (formerly the Amateur Softball Association) history; National Softball Hall of Fame; Chicago Tribune archive (Farragut Boat Club, 1887); World Baseball Softball Confederation · recall

  4. The firemen's team was called the Kittens.

    Source: USA Softball (formerly the Amateur Softball Association) history; National Softball Hall of Fame; Chicago Tribune archive (Farragut Boat Club, 1887); World Baseball Softball Confederation · recall

  5. He worked for the YMCA in Denver.

    Source: USA Softball (formerly the Amateur Softball Association) history; National Softball Hall of Fame; Chicago Tribune archive (Farragut Boat Club, 1887); World Baseball Softball Confederation · recall

  6. The national association was founded there.

    Source: USA Softball (formerly the Amateur Softball Association) history; National Softball Hall of Fame; Chicago Tribune archive (Farragut Boat Club, 1887); World Baseball Softball Confederation · recall

  7. The USA won the first gold in Atlanta.

    Source: USA Softball (formerly the Amateur Softball Association) history; National Softball Hall of Fame; Chicago Tribune archive (Farragut Boat Club, 1887); World Baseball Softball Confederation · recall

  8. 1887, 1895, 1926, then 1933.

    Source: USA Softball (formerly the Amateur Softball Association) history; National Softball Hall of Fame; Chicago Tribune archive (Farragut Boat Club, 1887); World Baseball Softball Confederation · recall

  9. It was played indoors that night.

    Source: USA Softball (formerly the Amateur Softball Association) history; National Softball Hall of Fame; Chicago Tribune archive (Farragut Boat Club, 1887); World Baseball Softball Confederation · recall

  10. Eddie Feigner toured with them for decades.

    Source: USA Softball (formerly the Amateur Softball Association) history; National Softball Hall of Fame; Chicago Tribune archive (Farragut Boat Club, 1887); World Baseball Softball Confederation · applied

10.106Kickball

Kick baseball, from school playgrounds to adult leagues.

Test 1KickballTake a test

  1. He was a park supervisor.

    Source: World Adult Kickball Association; Cincinnati Public Recreation Commission history; Canadian school sport guides · recall

  2. Bouncy pitches are often not allowed.

    Source: World Adult Kickball Association; Cincinnati Public Recreation Commission history; Canadian school sport guides · recall

  3. It is often red.

    Source: World Adult Kickball Association; Cincinnati Public Recreation Commission history; Canadian school sport guides · recall

  4. Thousands of adults play in its leagues.

    Source: World Adult Kickball Association; Cincinnati Public Recreation Commission history; Canadian school sport guides · recall

  5. Throws must hit below the shoulders; it is often called 'pegging'.

    Source: World Adult Kickball Association; Cincinnati Public Recreation Commission history; Canadian school sport guides · recall

  6. It is a playground favourite there.

    Source: World Adult Kickball Association; Cincinnati Public Recreation Commission history; Canadian school sport guides · recall

  7. It is like a fly out in baseball.

    Source: World Adult Kickball Association; Cincinnati Public Recreation Commission history; Canadian school sport guides · recall

  8. The bases are set out like a baseball diamond.

    Source: World Adult Kickball Association; Cincinnati Public Recreation Commission history; Canadian school sport guides · recall

  9. Around 1917, the 1920s, then 1998.

    Source: World Adult Kickball Association; Cincinnati Public Recreation Commission history; Canadian school sport guides · recall

  10. It was a park game for children.

    Source: World Adult Kickball Association; Cincinnati Public Recreation Commission history; Canadian school sport guides · applied

10.107Over-the-Line

San Diego's three-a-side beach game.

Test 1Over-the-LineTake a test

  1. It is still mostly a San Diego game.

    Source: Old Mission Beach Athletic Club, Over-the-Line rules and championship history; City of San Diego, Fiesta Island · recall

  2. The pitcher wants a hittable ball.

    Source: Old Mission Beach Athletic Club, Over-the-Line rules and championship history; City of San Diego, Fiesta Island · recall

  3. Hits are judged by where the ball lands.

    Source: Old Mission Beach Athletic Club, Over-the-Line rules and championship history; City of San Diego, Fiesta Island · recall

  4. Its initials, OMBAC, are on the trophies.

    Source: Old Mission Beach Athletic Club, Over-the-Line rules and championship history; City of San Diego, Fiesta Island · recall

  5. Thousands of fans camp out for it.

    Source: Old Mission Beach Athletic Club, Over-the-Line rules and championship history; City of San Diego, Fiesta Island · recall

  6. Batters use a softball bat.

    Source: Old Mission Beach Athletic Club, Over-the-Line rules and championship history; City of San Diego, Fiesta Island · recall

  7. The field is shaped like a long triangle.

    Source: Old Mission Beach Athletic Club, Over-the-Line rules and championship history; City of San Diego, Fiesta Island · recall

  8. A ball hit over every fielder is a home run.

    Source: Old Mission Beach Athletic Club, Over-the-Line rules and championship history; City of San Diego, Fiesta Island · recall

  9. The first tournament was in 1954.

    Source: Old Mission Beach Athletic Club, Over-the-Line rules and championship history; City of San Diego, Fiesta Island · recall

  10. Fielders cover a wide triangle of sand.

    Source: Old Mission Beach Athletic Club, Over-the-Line rules and championship history; City of San Diego, Fiesta Island · applied

10.108Chicago's 16-inch Softball

The city game played with a big ball and no gloves.

Test 1Chicago's 16-inch softballTake a test

  1. They catch the big ball with bare hands.

    Source: Chicago 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame (Forest Park, Illinois); Chicago Park District; DeBeer Clincher history · recall

  2. A new ball is hard; an old one squashes.

    Source: Chicago 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame (Forest Park, Illinois); Chicago Park District; DeBeer Clincher history · recall

  3. It is still made in the Chicago area.

    Source: Chicago 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame (Forest Park, Illinois); Chicago Park District; DeBeer Clincher history · recall

  4. It is a suburb just west of Chicago.

    Source: Chicago 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame (Forest Park, Illinois); Chicago Park District; DeBeer Clincher history · recall

  5. Games fit on small city fields.

    Source: Chicago 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame (Forest Park, Illinois); Chicago Park District; DeBeer Clincher history · recall

  6. The extra player is a short fielder.

    Source: Chicago 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame (Forest Park, Illinois); Chicago Park District; DeBeer Clincher history · recall

  7. The arc must rise above a set height.

    Source: Chicago 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame (Forest Park, Illinois); Chicago Park District; DeBeer Clincher history · recall

  8. 16 inches, 12 inches, then about 9 inches.

    Source: Chicago 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame (Forest Park, Illinois); Chicago Park District; DeBeer Clincher history · recall

  9. Jammed fingers are common.

    Source: Chicago 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame (Forest Park, Illinois); Chicago Park District; DeBeer Clincher history · recall

  10. The game is named after its size.

    Source: Chicago 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame (Forest Park, Illinois); Chicago Park District; DeBeer Clincher history · applied

10.109Banana Ball

The Savannah Bananas and their own rules.

Test 1Banana BallTake a test

  1. Savannah is on the Atlantic coast.

    Source: Savannah Bananas (Banana Ball rules and history); Fans First Entertainment; MLB.com on average game times (2022-2023) · recall

  2. No new inning starts after the limit.

    Source: Savannah Bananas (Banana Ball rules and history); Fans First Entertainment; MLB.com on average game times (2022-2023) · recall

  3. A team can lose the runs total and still win.

    Source: Savannah Bananas (Banana Ball rules and history); Fans First Entertainment; MLB.com on average game times (2022-2023) · recall

  4. If the ball gets away, he can run.

    Source: Savannah Bananas (Banana Ball rules and history); Fans First Entertainment; MLB.com on average game times (2022-2023) · recall

  5. The club wants big swings.

    Source: Savannah Bananas (Banana Ball rules and history); Fans First Entertainment; MLB.com on average game times (2022-2023) · recall

  6. He often wears a yellow tuxedo.

    Source: Savannah Bananas (Banana Ball rules and history); Fans First Entertainment; MLB.com on average game times (2022-2023) · recall

  7. The park opened in the 1920s.

    Source: Savannah Bananas (Banana Ball rules and history); Fans First Entertainment; MLB.com on average game times (2022-2023) · recall

  8. 2016, 2018, 2022, then the mid-2020s.

    Source: Savannah Bananas (Banana Ball rules and history); Fans First Entertainment; MLB.com on average game times (2022-2023) · recall

  9. About three hours, about 2 hours 40 after the pitch clock, then two hours at most.

    Source: Savannah Bananas (Banana Ball rules and history); Fans First Entertainment; MLB.com on average game times (2022-2023) · recall

  10. In baseball a foul ball caught by a fan is just a souvenir.

    Source: Savannah Bananas (Banana Ball rules and history); Fans First Entertainment; MLB.com on average game times (2022-2023) · applied

10.110The Miracle League

Baseball for players with disabilities on a special field.

Test 1The Miracle LeagueTake a test

  1. It lies east of Atlanta.

    Source: The Miracle League (history and rules); Rockdale Youth Baseball Association, Conyers, Georgia · recall

  2. Players of any ability take part.

    Source: The Miracle League (history and rules); Rockdale Youth Baseball Association, Conyers, Georgia · recall

  3. No one waits on the bench.

    Source: The Miracle League (history and rules); Rockdale Youth Baseball Association, Conyers, Georgia · recall

  4. Each player can have a buddy.

    Source: The Miracle League (history and rules); Rockdale Youth Baseball Association, Conyers, Georgia · recall

  5. The last batter often gets a home run.

    Source: The Miracle League (history and rules); Rockdale Youth Baseball Association, Conyers, Georgia · recall

  6. Games take about an hour.

    Source: The Miracle League (history and rules); Rockdale Youth Baseball Association, Conyers, Georgia · recall

  7. He coached in Rockdale County.

    Source: The Miracle League (history and rules); Rockdale Youth Baseball Association, Conyers, Georgia · recall

  8. Both teams bat every inning.

    Source: The Miracle League (history and rules); Rockdale Youth Baseball Association, Conyers, Georgia · recall

  9. Before 1998, 1998, 2000, then the 2000s.

    Source: The Miracle League (history and rules); Rockdale Youth Baseball Association, Conyers, Georgia · recall

  10. Grass and dirt make wheels stick.

    Source: The Miracle League (history and rules); Rockdale Youth Baseball Association, Conyers, Georgia · applied

Sources

Primary/official sources only, no Wikipedia citations: the National Baseball Hall of Fame, MLB and its clubs, the WBSC, SABR's BioProject, the Library of Congress, Guinness World Records, makers' and leagues' own histories and named reputable media.

  • The Wiffle Ball, Inc. (company history and official rules); Smithsonian Magazine, 'The Wiffle ball' (2017); National Toy Hall of Fame10
  • Smithsonian National Museum of American History; New York City Department of Parks; SABR BioProject, Willie Mays; New York Times features on street games10
  • National Beep Baseball Association (history and rules); Telephone Pioneers of America10
  • Vintage Base Ball Association (rules and glossary, 1860 and 1864 rules); Library of Congress, early base ball10
  • USA Softball (formerly the Amateur Softball Association) history; National Softball Hall of Fame; Chicago Tribune archive (Farragut Boat Club, 1887); World Baseball Softball Confederation10
  • World Adult Kickball Association; Cincinnati Public Recreation Commission history; Canadian school sport guides10
  • Old Mission Beach Athletic Club, Over-the-Line rules and championship history; City of San Diego, Fiesta Island10
  • Chicago 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame (Forest Park, Illinois); Chicago Park District; DeBeer Clincher history10
  • Savannah Bananas (Banana Ball rules and history); Fans First Entertainment; MLB.com on average game times (2022-2023)10
  • The Miracle League (history and rules); Rockdale Youth Baseball Association, Conyers, Georgia10