Why does a Wiffle ball curve so easily?

One half of the plastic ball is solid and the other has long slots rather than round holes. It was made in 1953 for a boy who had tried to throw curves with a hard ball.

How do blind players play beep baseball?

The ball has a sound unit built inside, and an operator switches on one base at random for the batter to run to. Sighted spotters on the field help the fielders, and the pitcher wants the batter to hit the ball.

How did softball start?

It began at a Chicago boat club in 1887, when fans waiting for a football score played indoors that night with a boxing glove as the ball and a broom handle as the bat. A reporter was among them.

What is vintage base ball?

Clubs play by the rules of a chosen year of the 1860s, when gloves had not yet come in. The pitcher is often called the hurler, runners score aces by crossing home, and the cheer is often 'Huzzah!'.

Why is Chicago softball played without gloves?

Chicago's game uses a 16-inch ball, which players catch with bare hands. A new ball is hard and an old one squashes, and jammed fingers are common.

How does Banana Ball differ from baseball?

Games last two hours at most, against about three hours for baseball before the pitch clock and about 2 hours 40 after it. No new inning starts after the limit, and a team can lose the runs total and still win.

What is Over-the-Line?

It is a three-a-side beach game from San Diego, played with a softball bat on a field shaped like a long triangle. Hits are judged by where the ball lands, and the first tournament was in 1954.

What is the Miracle League?

It is baseball for players with disabilities, on a special field, because grass and dirt make wheels stick. Each player can have a buddy, both teams bat every inning, and games take about an hour.

Baseball · Interesting Facts

Chapter 10: Other Forms of the Game

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

Baseball has relatives in backyards, city streets, beaches and school playgrounds. Some grew straight out of the game; others grew up beside it. Wiffle ball began in 1953, when a father made a plastic ball for a son who had tried to throw curves with a hard ball: one half is solid, the other has long slots rather than round holes, and hits are decided by where the ball lands. New York's street games used a hollow pink ball made to bounce, and in stickball a big hitter was called 'a three-sewer man'.

Softball's beginnings go back to a Thanksgiving game in 1887 at a Chicago boat club, where fans waiting for a football score used a boxing glove as the ball and a broom handle as the bat. Chicago still plays its own 16-inch version with bare hands. Beep baseball lets blind players hit a ball with a sound unit inside and run to a base an operator switches on at random. Vintage base ball clubs play to the rules of a chosen year from the 1860s, with hurlers, aces and the 'bound rule'.

The facts below cover these games and four more: kickball, San Diego's Over-the-Line, the Savannah Bananas' Banana Ball with its two-hour limit, and the Miracle League, where players of any ability bat every inning.

10.101Wiffle Ball

The plastic ball with holes that curves in any backyard.

Test 1Wiffle ballTake a test

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

A sound unit is built inside.
Source: National Beep Baseball Association (history and rules); Telephone Pioneers of America · recall
Phone company volunteers later improved it.
Source: National Beep Baseball Association (history and rules); Telephone Pioneers of America · recall
The pitcher wants the batter to hit it.
Source: National Beep Baseball Association (history and rules); Telephone Pioneers of America · recall
If a fielder holds the ball first, he is out.
Source: National Beep Baseball Association (history and rules); Telephone Pioneers of America · recall
Fielders wear them too.
Source: National Beep Baseball Association (history and rules); Telephone Pioneers of America · recall
Teams come from several countries.
Source: National Beep Baseball Association (history and rules); Telephone Pioneers of America · recall
The first World Series was held the same year.
Source: National Beep Baseball Association (history and rules); Telephone Pioneers of America · recall
Sighted spotters on the field help fielders too.
Source: National Beep Baseball Association (history and rules); Telephone Pioneers of America · recall
1964, the early 1970s, then 1976.
Source: National Beep Baseball Association (history and rules); Telephone Pioneers of America · recall
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

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
The cheer is often 'Huzzah!'.
Source: Vintage Base Ball Association (rules and glossary, 1860 and 1864 rules); Library of Congress, early base ball · recall
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

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

He was a park supervisor.
Source: World Adult Kickball Association; Cincinnati Public Recreation Commission history; Canadian school sport guides · recall
Bouncy pitches are often not allowed.
Source: World Adult Kickball Association; Cincinnati Public Recreation Commission history; Canadian school sport guides · recall
It is often red.
Source: World Adult Kickball Association; Cincinnati Public Recreation Commission history; Canadian school sport guides · recall
Thousands of adults play in its leagues.
Source: World Adult Kickball Association; Cincinnati Public Recreation Commission history; Canadian school sport guides · recall
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
It is a playground favourite there.
Source: World Adult Kickball Association; Cincinnati Public Recreation Commission history; Canadian school sport guides · recall
It is like a fly out in baseball.
Source: World Adult Kickball Association; Cincinnati Public Recreation Commission history; Canadian school sport guides · recall
The bases are set out like a baseball diamond.
Source: World Adult Kickball Association; Cincinnati Public Recreation Commission history; Canadian school sport guides · recall
Around 1917, the 1920s, then 1998.
Source: World Adult Kickball Association; Cincinnati Public Recreation Commission history; Canadian school sport guides · recall
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

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

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
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
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
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
Games fit on small city fields.
Source: Chicago 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame (Forest Park, Illinois); Chicago Park District; DeBeer Clincher history · recall
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
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
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
Jammed fingers are common.
Source: Chicago 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame (Forest Park, Illinois); Chicago Park District; DeBeer Clincher history · recall
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

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

It lies east of Atlanta.
Source: The Miracle League (history and rules); Rockdale Youth Baseball Association, Conyers, Georgia · recall
Players of any ability take part.
Source: The Miracle League (history and rules); Rockdale Youth Baseball Association, Conyers, Georgia · recall
No one waits on the bench.
Source: The Miracle League (history and rules); Rockdale Youth Baseball Association, Conyers, Georgia · recall
Each player can have a buddy.
Source: The Miracle League (history and rules); Rockdale Youth Baseball Association, Conyers, Georgia · recall
The last batter often gets a home run.
Source: The Miracle League (history and rules); Rockdale Youth Baseball Association, Conyers, Georgia · recall
Games take about an hour.
Source: The Miracle League (history and rules); Rockdale Youth Baseball Association, Conyers, Georgia · recall
He coached in Rockdale County.
Source: The Miracle League (history and rules); Rockdale Youth Baseball Association, Conyers, Georgia · recall
Both teams bat every inning.
Source: The Miracle League (history and rules); Rockdale Youth Baseball Association, Conyers, Georgia · recall
Before 1998, 1998, 2000, then the 2000s.
Source: The Miracle League (history and rules); Rockdale Youth Baseball Association, Conyers, Georgia · recall
Grass and dirt make wheels stick.
Source: The Miracle League (history and rules); Rockdale Youth Baseball Association, Conyers, Georgia · applied

Questions people ask

Why does a Wiffle ball curve so easily?: One half of the plastic ball is solid and the other has long slots rather than round holes. It was made in 1953 for a boy who had tried to throw curves with a hard ball.
How do blind players play beep baseball?: The ball has a sound unit built inside, and an operator switches on one base at random for the batter to run to. Sighted spotters on the field help the fielders, and the pitcher wants the batter to hit the ball.
How did softball start?: It began at a Chicago boat club in 1887, when fans waiting for a football score played indoors that night with a boxing glove as the ball and a broom handle as the bat. A reporter was among them.
What is vintage base ball?: Clubs play by the rules of a chosen year of the 1860s, when gloves had not yet come in. The pitcher is often called the hurler, runners score aces by crossing home, and the cheer is often 'Huzzah!'.
Why is Chicago softball played without gloves?: Chicago's game uses a 16-inch ball, which players catch with bare hands. A new ball is hard and an old one squashes, and jammed fingers are common.
How does Banana Ball differ from baseball?: Games last two hours at most, against about three hours for baseball before the pitch clock and about 2 hours 40 after it. No new inning starts after the limit, and a team can lose the runs total and still win.
What is Over-the-Line?: It is a three-a-side beach game from San Diego, played with a softball bat on a field shaped like a long triangle. Hits are judged by where the ball lands, and the first tournament was in 1954.
What is the Miracle League?: It is baseball for players with disabilities, on a special field, because grass and dirt make wheels stick. Each player can have a buddy, both teams bat every inning, and games take about an hour.

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