This is the 2nd “sample of play” video in the series that pits Schiller against me. Schiller again uses controversial tactics. It joins us at the top of the 9th. All die rolls are real, one shot events determined by chance or fate. I like to think the RallyBird Baseball Board Game has an extra value of allowing you to test out these controversial tactics for yourself. In the case of the Sacrifice tactic in baseball, its official history shows an evolving evolution–how it impacts the batter’s statistic batting average or not. A Sacrifice Fly, earning a run, is defined differently than a general Sacrifice, which merely advances a runner–at the cost of a nearly certain Out. When is it worth it to you to use this tactic? I think it’s fun to wrestle with the decision point.
Is this controversial? I don’t believe the game of baseball is symmetrical.The RallyBird Board Game reflects this. Yes, the field has bilateral symmetry, sure. But the game includes the action. Runners only may move in a counter-clockwise direction. First base is a lot different than third base! The relation of second base to first base is a lot different than second base to third base.
This play action differentiation impacts the action value of the left side of the field compared to the right side. It impacts situations, and I think delivers a feeling of action value to the bases that is not level. When measured by action value and potentiality, the level field actually has “altitude” differences (I made a whole video about baseball’s topography.)
Because I believe that baseball is not symmetrical, some pairs of At Bat card tactics are also not symmetrical. Here’s one pair:
Grounder Right is slightly more effective than Grounder Left. In the RallyBird Baseball Board Game, Grounder Right moves a non-forced runner more often.
Grounder Left and Grounder Right aren’t the only non-symmetrical cards in the RallyBird Baseball Board Game. I show these two similar Left/ Right card treatments in the video I made on this topic below, Infield Left and Infield Right.
Let’s not forget there are more right-handed athletes than left-handed…
Thanks for reading! There’s more information about the game below.
Here are sample pictures of a tense game situation in a recent play session of RallyBird Baseball. I’m on the right, playing Home (blue). The situation as we join us is… It’s the 10th inning, with 1 Out. Score is Red 3, Blue 2.
Note: The RallyBird made an appearance earlier, which I squandered, so it flew away. I’m on my own now!
The pictures below are screen grabs from the video I took of the match–while failing to turn the microphone on, as I mentioned in my previous post.
As blue offense, I made my At Bat decision and laid the card down. Red defense has started to place her defensive tiles, starting with the pitcher zone…Red completes placing the defensive tilesI reveal the At Bat card. It’s a hit that Drives Left. The sum of the relevant Glove zones is a 7. I roll the dice… a 9. Success!Since my Drive Left succeeded in moving a runner, Defense has to flip (if white numbered) or remove (if red numbered) one of the tested zones. She decides which one…I move the runner tokens according to the result on the card for beating the Gloves sum–it was a double.I take the Drive Left card back into my hand.Here’s the situation as I consider the tactic for my next batter. I have set up runners on base in a way that avoids the common double-play threat. My opponent is showing her array of Glove tile values as a courtesy.I select my next At Bat card and place it face down.Visitor puts down her defensive Glove tiles. (Defense made an error I didn’t catch–she should have removed the red numbered 4 Glove that failed in the previous Drive Left.)I reveal my At Bat card: Infield Left. The sum of the relevant Glove tiles is 7.I roll the dice, a 10, which beats 7. Success! However, the details on this particular card explain that runners on base only advance if forced, so there’s no score.Red (visitor) has to choose which Glove tile takes the impact. She flips the tile in the pitcher’s Glove zone. (Sorry that the screen capture includes the mute video play controls.)Here’s the field situation as I contemplate my next At Bat. 10th Inning! Bases loaded!!! One out. Score is still 3-2. I’m one run behind…I made my decision and placed my At Bat card face down… Note that I’m looking down so my opponent cannot read my face, which she did earlier in the game.Defense has placed her Glove tiles… Not that the course of the inning has lead her to have at this moment a lot of stronger Glove values, except for that 2. If I could hit at that weakness, it would help! I turn my face down to the table in nervousness…Nope, I hit against her strength. I chose a Drive Right. Her relevant defense Glove zones add up to a value of 9.My die roll result is a 6, quite less than a 9. Is that right? Is 6<9 or maybe 6>9 today? Should I challenge and have the HQ in New York check the video…. Oh no… It’s my second Out! Defense holds!
Here’s the situation… 10th inning, 2 outs, bases loaded, down by 1 run. And due to limitations with the video source, here I have to leave you hanging. Folks, it’s a mystery what happened next. Yep, I guess we’ll never know if I hit in another run or perhaps even two for a Walk-Off. No, we’ll never know.
Okay seriously my next At Bat was another Out… I left ducks on a pond stranded… What a finish! Visitors 3 – Home 2 was the final score. Congrats to my worthy opponent M. who persevered in this tense game session of RallyBird Baseball.
If I can recover pictures of the remaining (tragic) play I’ll come back and add them.
The RallyByrd Baseball Board Game 