Stoolball

The game we know as baseball may be relatively modern, but it has medieval roots. Many bat-and-ball games were played throughout the Middle Ages at religious festivals and events. One game, stool ball (sometimes possibly stow ball, or stob ball, or stump ball) dates back at least to the 14th century, and many historians believe that it is the common ancestor of both baseball and cricket. It was also the first bat-and-ball-type game known to have been played in North America (at Plymouth in 1621 at Christmastime, no less, much to the chagrin of Governor Bradford). In this game, the pitcher tries to hit a stool or stump with the ball, while the batter tries to defend the target using bare hands or a bat.

Stool ball was known for being played by both women and men together, and there are indications that it was a sort of springtime ritual, played at Easter time. Some of the poetic mentions of the game imply an undertone of sexuality; "playing at stool ball" was used at least once as a euphemism.

Equipment is simple. You need a very soft ball. (Not softball or a baseball!) A soft ball can be walloped pretty hard, but no gloves or helmets are necessary for safe play. You can use a medieval pattern that will provide a ball of just about the perfect softness, though if you don't have time to make a ball, you will probably be able to find a ball at a toy store that will work. A Nerf ball might work.


Rules

1.Swing as much as you want! There are no "strikes" or "balls". The batter stays at bat until a hit is made or the pitcher hits the Home with the ball.
2.Any contact is a hit. There are no "fouls" or "foul tips". RUN!
3.On hitting the ball, the batter must run counterclockwise around the outside of the Base. The batter may not stop on the Base -- once you start running, you have to run around the Base and all the way back home. You must touch the Home stool when you get there, but you don't have to touch the Base.
4.Batter is out when:
a. The pitcher hits Home with the ball while the batter is at bat
b. Any fielder catches the hit ball in the air, without a bounce
c. Any fielder hits Home with the ball while the batter is running to Base and back to Home. But…
5.Fielders must be on the Base side of the Batter's Line when throwing the ball at the Home target. So if the batter hits the ball behind Home (what in baseball would be a foul), the batter runs, and the fielders can go get the ball… but they can't throw it at Home and put the batter out until they get back on the other (Base) side of the batter's line.
6.Every player on the team gets one at-bat per inning. Each team gets the same number of innings at bat, but other than that the game can go on until the teams mutually agree to quit.
7.All players must have fun!