Baseball Drinking Game – Rules and How to Play
A beer pong variant played across a table: sink the ping-pong ball in cups set at single, double, triple and home run distances, track outs and runs over 9 innings – losers drink the cups!
How to play:
- Split into two teams and set up a table like beer pong, with one end for each team.
- On each side, place 4 cups in a line representing the bases: single (closest), double, triple and home run (farthest).
- Teams take turns throwing a ping-pong ball, trying to land it in one of the opponent's cups.
- The cup you sink decides the hit: single, double, triple or home run – just like in real baseball.
- Runners advance around the bases based on each hit, and every runner that crosses home plate scores a run.
- A miss counts as an out. Three outs end your team's half-inning and it's the other team's turn to bat.
- Play 9 innings. The team with the most runs wins – and the losing team drinks the cups.
Equipment, setup and scoring:
- A long table – any table that lets both teams throw across it works well.
- 8 cups – four per side, filled with beer (or a non-alcoholic drink).
- Ping-pong balls – have a couple spare and a cup of water to rinse them.
- Single cup – closest cup; the batter advances one base and runners move up one.
- Double cup – second cup; the batter takes two bases and runners advance two.
- Triple cup – third cup; the batter takes three bases, usually clearing the bases.
- Home run cup – farthest cup; the batter and every runner on base all score.
- Outs – a throw that misses every cup is an out; three outs end the half-inning.
- Runs – each runner reaching home counts as one run; tally runs every inning.
- Innings – both teams bat each inning; play a full 9 innings for a complete game.
- Drinking – when a cup is sunk, a player on that team drinks it before refilling.
- Winning – most runs after 9 innings wins; play extra innings to break a tie.
How to Play the Baseball Drinking Game
The baseball drinking game is a clever beer pong variant that turns America's favorite pastime into a party game. Instead of pyramids of cups, each team sets up four cups in a line representing the four types of hit: single, double, triple and home run. You throw a ping-pong ball across the table, and which cup you sink decides how far your batter and your base runners advance. It's the same thrill as beer pong, but with the strategy and scoring of real baseball baked in.
What makes the baseball drinking game so fun is the back-and-forth rhythm of innings and outs. Three missed throws end your team's at-bat, just like three strikeouts, so every shot matters. Runs pile up over nine innings, comebacks are always possible, and the losing team has to drink the cups at the end. Learn the baseball drinking game rules once and you'll have a go-to game for any party.
Rules
- Set up two teams and place 4 cups per side at single, double, triple and home run distances.
- Teams alternate throwing the ping-pong ball at the opponent's cups.
- Sinking a cup is a hit; the cup determines whether it's a single, double, triple or home run.
- Runners advance around the bases on each hit, and every runner crossing home scores a run.
- A miss is an out – three outs end the half-inning and the other team comes up to bat.
- Play 9 innings; the team with the most runs wins and the losers drink the cups.
- Play responsibly: always keep water and a non-alcoholic alternative on hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you play the baseball drinking game?
Two teams set up 4 cups each at single, double, triple and home run distances. You throw a ping-pong ball, and the cup you sink decides the hit. Runners advance around the bases, misses count as outs, three outs end your half-inning, and after 9 innings the team with the most runs wins.
How many cups do you need for the baseball drinking game?
You need 8 cups total – four per side, set in a line to represent a single, double, triple and home run. Fill them with beer or a non-alcoholic drink, and keep spare ping-pong balls and a rinse cup handy.
How does scoring work in the baseball drinking game?
Each cup is a different hit: the closest cup is a single, then a double, a triple, and the farthest is a home run. Runners advance the matching number of bases, and every runner that crosses home plate scores a run. Tally the runs each inning over 9 innings.
How is the baseball drinking game different from beer pong?
It's a beer pong variant, so you still throw a ping-pong ball into cups across a table. The difference is the setup and scoring: cups represent hits instead of a pyramid, you track outs and runs, and you play innings like real baseball rather than just clearing the rack.
Can you play the baseball drinking game without alcohol?
Absolutely. Fill the cups with soda, juice or water instead of beer. All the baseball drinking game rules still apply, so you keep the strategy and fun while making it completely alcohol-free.