Contrary to popular belief, not every guy on the planet is enamored by baseball. Some of us have to find ways to make three hours of pitch and catch more entertaining. Enter gambling. Try this game on for size and you’ll be looking at baseball in a whole new light.

The Official Rules

Everyone who wants to play puts one dollar in an empty beer cup. One person takes the cup and starts with the first batter. If the batter gets an extra-base hit, the person with the cup keeps the kitty. If their batter fails to get an extra-base hit, that person puts another dollar in the cup and passes it on to the next player. If he walks, you just pass the cup with no penalty. If your batter strikes out, hits into a double play or flies out to the warning track, you must put in two dollars before passing the cup. If your batter hits a home run, all other players must give you an extra dollar. After someone takes the pot, everyone must ante up again and play resumes.

The beauty of this game is that it gets non-fans involved in every play of the game and teaches children the importance of beer and gambling. I wouldn’t suggest you play with more than 10 people (6–7 is ideal). During the course of the game, any player has the right to yell out “Embellishment” and add another rule that must be approved by a majority of the participants.




By JOHN SCHECK