Straitjacket Softball

 

Download Rules (PDF) Straitjacket Softball

Game Type:

Sport

Activity Level:

Low

Players:

At least 9 per side

Field:

Softball or Baseball Diamond

Equipment needed:

3 XXX large sweaters or sweatshirts. Flour or rope

Time:

1 – 2 hours

Rules:

Straitjacket Softball is like softball except the bases are people in straitjackets. These people, hereby called Straightjacketers, are either on the offensive or defensive team. If on defense there is more action and strategy on the field; if on offense you need less players to play, and there are less offensive players sitting on the bench while batting.

The Base Circles 

Create three base circles where the center is the normal distance between the bases, i.e. sixty feet. The Straightjacketers will be confined to these circles. The base circles can vary in diameter. The larger the base circle diameter the more agency the Straightjacketers have. 

The lines can be created by throwing down flour or by laying down a rope circle. Flour is generally better as people may trip on rope, but rope is reusable. 

Straightjacketer play 

Straightjacketers can run away or towards base runners and fielders provided they are in the circle. They may not impede the ball in anyway, nor impede a fielder who is making a play on the ball. If a straightjacketer is unintentionally hit with a ball, the ball is in play. 

If a defensive straightjacketer runs out of a circle on a play, the baserunner is automatically safe.

If an offensive straightjacketer runs out of a circle on a play, the baserunner is automatically out.

If an offensive straightjacketer impedes a fielder the batter is automatically out and all baserunners return to their original bases.