Ratnix t1_j9z6po7 wrote on February 25, 2023 at 5:23 PM

Reply to comment by Turnip45 in ELI5: How did association football become the most popular sport in the world, more popular than any other sport that was spread around the world? by astarisaslave

>baseball where you need at a minimum a diamond, enough clear space for the ball to reasonably fly and a minimum of 7 fielders along with other equipment

While baseball is more difficult, you don't need the full complement to play. You need a bat and a ball and an open field, anything can be used to mark the bases. Gloves definitely help, but i have played without them. And you don't need a whole team. We've played with 4 to a side before. It's just better with the full teams of 9 to a side.

Turnip45 t1_j9z7nqb wrote on February 25, 2023 at 5:29 PM

How does 4 a side baseball work? Pitcher, catcher, first base and one kid covering the rest of the field?

Ratnix t1_j9z8i7n wrote on February 25, 2023 at 5:35 PM

Do away with the catcher. Use a building/fence as a backstop, and the batter throws the ball back to the pitcher. A couple of people in the outfield and an infielder.

It's not like there would ever be based loaded and no stealing. So there's not really a need for everyone covering a base.