Baseball darts is a really fun and unique way to play darts and to practice your skills by aiming at the lesser used segments on the dartboard. Like every other game, darts has different levels, with baseball darts being the most common among newcomers. This is because, like the actual game of baseball, the rules are clear and simple, and learning them takes just a few minutes.
Even so, if you want to succeed, you’ll need to master a few tips and techniques. Here’s a short rundown of Baseball Darts, including game variants and essential tips, so you can get started playing right away!
Aim of The Game
When the game starts, each team’s players take turns tossing darts at the board to score points. The team with the most points at the end of nine rounds (also known as “innings”) wins the game.
So far, so good, but how do you score those points, and how does all of this apply to baseball? Let’s look at the terminology to explain exactly what it means.
Terminology
Inning
An inning is basically the round that the game is on. In a single inning, each player or team gets one turn, and can throw three darts per turn. There are 9 innings in a game of baseball darts.
Rings
The rings on the dartboard determine the scoring in the game. The very outside ring is called the double ring, and the inner ring is called the triple ring. The spaces in each segment not in these rings is a single. Each term represents the amount of points you get in a throw – if you land in a triple area you score 3 points, or runs.
Runs
Points are referred to as runs in this game. A player can only score runs by throwing their dart at the same number segment on the dartboard as the inning number. In the 3rd inning, for example, you only score runs if you hit within the 3 section.
A single space on the dartboard amount is worth one run, a double is worth two runs, and a triple is worth three runs.
Dartboard Setup
Before you start playing baseball darts, you should take the time to make sure that your dartboard and throwing line are in the correct position. Practicing with the correct distances will help you if you ever want to play more competitively.
Dartboard Position: Place the bullseye of the dartboard at a distance of 5ft 8in above the floor.
Throwing Distance: The normal throwing distance from the front of the dartboard is 7ft 9in.
Throwing Line: Place something 7ft 9in out from the dartboard to indicate a throwing line, also known as an oche. This guarantees that players are all throwing from the same distance. A dart mat is best, but even a strip of tape on the floor would suffice.
Main Rules of Baseball Darts
The game of baseball darts is played in nine rounds, which are referred to as innings. Players take turns throwing their three darts for each inning, being careful to aim for the number on the dartboard that corresponds to the inning.
For example, in the first inning, both players will try to hit the number 1 segment on the dartboard, then the number 2 segment in the second round, and so on. If you get your darts into that section, you’ll be given points, which are referred to as “runs,” in keeping with the baseball theme. The following are the potential outcomes of each throw:
- Single: 1 Run
- Double Ring: 2 Runs
- Triple Ring: 3 Runs
So, if you’re skilled enough, or maybe just lucky enough, you might score nine points in a round! That would mean all three darts landed in the triple ring. If the Dart lands outside of the entire section for that inning, it is called ‘out,’ and you don’t get any points for that throw.
Scoring
If you have an automated darts scoreboard, see if it can determine baseball scores in addition to conventional darts scores. Some of the less costly versions, as well as non-electronic dartboards, do not have this feature.
To keep score in baseball darts, map out the nine rounds ahead of time, starting with one at the top and working your way down to 9, leaving some room in case extras are required.
Each player’s or team’s name should be written at the top of the screen, and when they play, you should record their score next to the corresponding inning spot. You may want to add a column for a running count while you’re playing teams.
If you have the room, you can set it out horizontally instead of vertically, like a typical baseball scoreboard. This allows for a more classic scoring style, though it is not always feasible due to the configuration of most dart scoreboards.
Variations
For baseball darts, the game’s flow changes slightly as a result of different variations that you can throw in, while the fundamentals stay the same. Let’s take a look at some of these variations, in case you’re looking to change it up for the next time you play.
7th Inning Stretch
You can easily raise the stakes of the game by adding in what’s known as the 7th inning stretch, if the game is getting too predictable.
The 7th inning stretch is not the time to get up and get a snack, although it is named for the long-standing practice of baseball fans standing and singing between the two halves of the seventh inning.
Instead, it applies to a tough rule that requires each and every player to score at least one run in the seventh inning. If they don’t, their entire score up to that stage will be halved.
Though it can be harsh – and even heartbreaking for some teams – it can be a perfect way to shake things up and increase the stakes.
Bullseye Baseball
Bullseye Baseball is a different kind of baseball darts game that is both entertaining and demanding of a little more work. The game’s rules are relatively similar to regular baseball darts; you must aim for the number that corresponds to the inning being played, and the goal is to score as many runs as possible.
The twist is that before their points can be tallied, each player must hit a bullseye. You would not earn any points if you landed a dart in the correct section for the inning but failed to hit the bullseye. However, if you happen to hit more than one bullseye, your ranking will be multiplied by the number of bullseyes hit.
Dummy Players
If you’re playing baseball with teams that aren’t evenly matched, either in terms of skills or the amount of players, you may want to use a dummy player to level it out. A dummy will have a fixed score depending on the players’ ability level (usually 5, 10, or 15), split evenly among each inning.
Tie – Extra Innings
While it is uncommon to come to the end of all nine rounds with a tie between the two players, it does happen occasionally. If you don’t want the game to end in a tie, the best way to decide the winner is to play extra innings.
Play the tenth inning of players looking for the number ten on the scoreboard, and if it doesn’t solve matters, go on to the eleventh, twelfth, and so on before a sure winner is determined.
At the end of each inning the score is tallied, and only if it’s still tied do you continue. If one player scores more than another in any extra inning, the game is immediately over and that player wins.
Suppose you make it to the 20th inning, and the game is still tied. In that case, you have two choices: Accept the distinction of having just played the world’s longest game of baseball darts and call it a day, or continue into the 21st inning, heading for the number one on the scoreboard once more.
Baseball Darts Tips and Tricks
At this point, you have everything you need to go out and play Baseball Darts with your friends or family. If what you need are a few pointers and bits of advice, we’ve come up with some for you.
When it comes to aiming, the triple should be the top priority. You will get 3 points per time you land a dart there, so you can score up to 9 points in one inning if you strike a triple.
Also, if your dart misses the triple, it will most likely land on the single section directly adjacent to it, giving you at least 1 point. Therefore, you hopefully still come away with some points for every throw.
Conclusion
Baseball darts is a great game to play with all of your friends and family. You can show someone how to play in just a few minutes, and based on how many people are playing and how many games you play, it can lead to hours of fun. It’s not only simple to play, but it’s also great for improving your aim and throwing techniques for all of the other dart games.
So, the next time you’re getting up to play darts, think about playing baseball instead. You’ll be shocked by how much fun and interaction it offers for your whole group!
