Alaskan Baseball

  • 11+ Players

  • Grades 3-5

  • Balls

A  high-energy team-building variation of traditional baseball. Instead of bases, players run laps around their own team members.

Goal

The goal of Alaskan Baseball is to score points by having a team member run as many laps as possible around their own team before the opposing team retrieves a ball.

Before You Start

  • Gather a soft foam ball (Gator Ball) or an object that can be thrown easily and cones or tape to mark the boundaries.
  • Identify game boundaries – a baseball field or any large open space 
  • Divide players into two teams – A and B.

Set Up

  • Designate a clear, play space large enough for the group size.
  • Team A starts inside the play space.
  • Team B starts in a circle outside of the play space.

How to Play

  • To start the game, one person from Team B throws or kicks the ball (or object) into the play space, and then immediately starts running laps around their own team.
  • As soon as the ball is thrown or kicked, Team A must chase down the ball in the play space. Once they retrieve it, they must get into a single file line and pass it through their own line by going Over heads and Under legs until the last person has the ball and yells “STOP!” to Team B.
  • Points are scored by how many laps the person from Team B can complete around their team before the fielders on Team A retrieve the ball and stop the play.
  • Teams swap roles and repeat rounds, as time allows.

Variations

  • Fitness Alaskan Baseball: Before starting each new lap, the runner completes a quick exercise like 5 jumping jacks, 5 squats, or 3 burpees.
  • Mystery Movement Alaskan Baseball: Before each round, announce a movement such as crab walk, gallop, side shuffle, or hopping, and everyone uses that movement while running laps.
  • Memory Alaskan Baseball: Before each lap, the runner answers a trivia question, solves a math problem, or spells a word before continuing.
  • Partner Alaskan Baseball: Two teammates run the laps together while holding hands or carrying a pool noodle. They must stay connected the entire time.
  • Capture The Treasure: Scatter beanbags or other objects around the circle, and the runner collects one item each lap before continuing.
  • Silent Alaskan Baseball: Players cannot talk during the round and must communicate using only gestures and teamwork.
  • Golden Lap: Before running, the player may declare their next lap a “Golden Lap” worth 3 points if completed before “STOP!”; if not, they lose 1 point.