The best form of baseball ever devised is the Chicago 16 inch bare handed version.
Why?
Unlike the 12 inch version, you do not need any more equipment other than one bat and one ball. No gloves allowed.
The field size is smaller than any other version of baseball, with the possible exception of Little League.
Fences are not needed. Backstops are not needed.
The field does not need to be manicured, any level surface will do, grass or dirt.
Without a glove there is no such thing as an easy out. You must use both hands to catch the ball, therefore every play is an uncertainty.
Slow pitch assures the ball will be put in play almost all the time, unlike fast pitch where the best pitcher almost always wins, as evidenced by The King And His Court, needing only 4 fielders to beat most other teams. When the pitcher strikes out most batters, the game becomes rather boring. Pretty much the same for regular hard ball baseball which takes over 2 hours per game. 16 inch softball takes only about one hour, so you can use the rest of the time to go to the bar and have some comeraderie with your buddies.

How could we grow the game? Think about young kids learning baseball by playing little league hardball. They stand there doing nothing waiting for the ball to be hit to them, which it seldom is since most batters strike out. Only the best players get better and usually dominate the lesser players. Instead, I say youngsters should use a 14 inch "gymball" and play bare handed. Their skills will develop faster because the ball is always in play, and every position is important. They will also learn the nuances of baseball much faster. When kids get older they can graduate to the 16 inch ball, and by then they will already know how to play the game.

Here is a concept which I call Action Softball, which would be great for grammar school and junior highs, maybe even co-ed:

- Eliminate walks and strikeouts by pitching to your own team. This also eliminates the petty bickering at umpires on proper calls of balls, strikes, illegal pitches, etc.
- Keep the action moving by making a rule that you only get 2 pitches to hit a fair ball, or else you are out (so you might as well swing the bat).
- Reduce the risk of injuries by using the 14-inch "Gymball", which is soft, yet it travels very well when hit, and it is also re-usable which is a cost reduction idea.
- Improve everyone's hand skills by playing bare-handed. Using no gloves is another cost reduction idea.
- Play on grassy areas. There is no need for dirt infields, backstops, or fences. This is not only a major cost reduction idea (maintenance expenses), but you will have many more suitable fields available, and you will be less likely to have games called off due to wet weather (you might have a nice day, but the dirt infields might be muddy).
- Other cost reductions resulting from the above concept are the elimination of the need for catcher's gear, umpire's gear, and helments.
- Blowouts are time-consuming and boring. Reduce blowouts by using a limit to the amount of runs scored per inning ( 5 usually works well) except for the final inning.
- Involve more players by using a continuous batting order, which means the entire roster gets to bat, whether they are playing in the field or not. You can also choose to allow extra fielders such as a defensive pitcher, 4th outfielder, or and extra infielder behind 2nd base.
- Reduce forfeits by allowing teams to play with as few as 7 players, since you do not need a defensive pitcher or catcher.
In summary, people will have many more at bats per game with this format, without using up any more time. The action will be so continuous that it will only take about one hour to finish a 9 inning game. During that hour, there will be very little standing around, more people will be involved, and people will have a lot more fun.

For more information on softball,
Check out this site, especially the Complaint Dept.

http://o50network.blogspot.com/