Baseball5 (B5)
Baseball5 is a relatively new sport, a shorter and simpler version of baseball and softball that can be played anywhere with minimal equipment. The sport was first proposed in 2018.
It is a street version of the classic games of baseball and softball. It's a bat and ball sport played over five innings with five players per team. The ball is hit with the bare hand - so all you need is a ball and a suitable area to play. It is designed to be inclusive, and be played as a mixed-gender sport.
Baseball5 has many of the same rules as baseball and softball. An innings involves each team taking a turn to bat. There is no pitcher or catcher. The ball starts in the batter's hand, is thrown up and then hit by the striker with the bare hand. Runs are scored by running counterclockwise around four bases. The player can be out by being caught or when a defender with the ball touches either a base or the runner as they attempt to run around the bases.
A small rubber ball is used. The bases are set out on a 21 m (68.90 ft) square, with the bases 13 m (42.65 ft) apart. No gloves are worn.
There is a mixed-gender Baseball5 World Cup for senior and youth players, held every two years. Baseball5 may also be played at the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics.
Similar Sports
- Baseball — a bat and ball game in which the aim is to hit the ball and score runs by running around four bases.
- T-Ball — an introductory sport for younger kids to baseball and softball, with the ball hit off a stationary tee.
- Pesäpallo — a Finnish variation of baseball, the major difference is that the ball is pitched vertically.
- Rounders — played between two teams with a bat and ball, like baseball.
- Corkball — a sport derived from baseball with a smaller ball that can be played on a much smaller field (often referred to as mini-baseball)
- Wiffle Ball — a variation of baseball designed for indoor or outdoor play in confined areas, using a perforated, light-weight, rubbery plastic ball and a long, plastic yellow bat.
- Fuzzball — a street version of baseball played in some regions of the USA.
- Over-the-Line — is a bat-and-ball sport related to baseball and softball with just 3 people per team. Unlike the other sports, the batter and pitcher are on the same team.
- Softball — a sport like baseball though the ball is pitched underhand, played mostly by women. Variations include fastpitch and slowpitch.
Related Pages
- Baseball at the Olympics
- Modified Sports — shorter, faster and more exciting versions of sports
- Sport in the USA
- Complete list of sports
- The Encyclopedia of Sports
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