BREWBALL
Brewball Rules (4v4)
Objective:
The objective of the game is to outscore the opposing team within the allotted amount of innings.
Setup:
To play Brewball, you will need 1 official Pro Beer Sports table, 14 official cups, 1 official Pro Beer Sports ball, 1/2 pitcher of water, and at least 8 unopened cans of 12 oz beer.
The official Pro Beer Sports table dimensions are 8’ (length) x 2’ (width) x 2.5’ (height).
The official Pro Beer Sports cups are 22 oz fluted stadium cups.
The official Pro Beer Sports balls are 3-Star table tennis balls.
With 8 cups, make two 4 cup straight lines on both short ends of the table. Each line needs to have the back cups touching the edge of the table. Each line must align with the center of the table as much as possible. Once the cups are in place, pour the 1/2 pitcher of water evenly amongst all 8 cups.
With 6 cups, put 3 on each side in the corners of the middle quadrants. Pour a small amount of beer in each of these cups.
Each team decides on a shooting order for who shoots first, second, third and fourth per team. This order cannot be changed and must be shared with the other team before the game.
Who goes first:
One member from each team will play “Rock-Paper-Scissors” to see who shoots first. The winner will decide which team will shoot first. The team that shoots first is the “away” team. The team that shoots second is the “home” team.
Gameplay:
Brewball is a combination of Beer Pong, Flip Cup, and Baseball. Teams take turns shooting the line of four cups across the table in their team’s shooting order. The four cups players are shooting at are associated with base hits. The bases are the 3 cups on the side of the table. The cups to a team’s right side are their bases.
If while shooting at the 4 cups a player hits the closest cup to them, that is considered a single base hit. The player who hit that cup will now go stand next to the base cup closest to their team. This will be known as being on 1st base. If a player hits the 1st cup, they go to 1st base.
If while shooting at the 4 cups a player hits the 2nd cup from them, that is considered a double base hit. The player who hit that cup will now go stand next to the base cup in the middle of the 3 flip cups. This will be known as being on 2nd base. If a player hits the 2nd cup, they go to 2nd base.
If while shooting at the 4 cups a player hits the 3rd cup from them, that is considered a triple base hit. The player who hit that cup will now go stand next to their base cup that is the farthest from their team. This will be known as being on 3rd base. If a player hits the 3rd cup, they go to 3rd base.
If while shooting at the 4 cups a player hits the farthest cup to them, that is considered a home run. The player who hit that cup doesn’t need to stand anywhere because a home run is an automatic point.
If a player is on a base when one of their teammates make a shot, they advance the same number of bases as the associated hit. For instance, if a player is on 1st base and their teammate hits a double, they advance 2 bases and now stand next to the 3rd base cup. If a player is on 3rd base and their teammate hits a single, they advance 1 base. Since 3rd is the last base cup, that player scores a point. Anytime a player reaches what would be the hypothetical “4th base” cup, that gives their team a point.
If while shooting at the 4 cups a player misses the cups, that gives their team 1 “out”. Once a team reaches 3 outs, it becomes the other team’s turn to shoot.
While a player is on base, they may attempt to “steal” and advance 1 base if successful. To steal a base as a base runner, a player must drink and successfully flip the base cup they are currently on. The opposing team may attempt to defend the steal by flipping the cup directly across the table from the player attempting to steal. If the stealing player’s flip lands successfully before the opponent’s flip does, the base runner is “safe” on the next base. If the defending player lands their flip before the base runner does, the runner is now off base and their team receives 1 out.
A game of Brewball consists of 9 “innings”. An “inning” is a division of the game during which both teams alternate as offense and defense. There are two halves to an inning. They are called the “top” and the “bottom.” The away team always shoots during the top of the inning and the home team always shoots during the bottom of the inning.
Winning:
The team with the most points at the end of the last inning wins the game.
Special Rules:
When shooting, both feet must be touching the ground, your body and clothes can’t move the cups or table in front of you, and your hand can’t cross the halfway point of the table.
The cup is not considered successfully flipped unless 100% of the rim of the cup is in complete contact with the table top unassisted. If the cup is wobbling, it is not considered settled or successfully flipped. If the rim of the cup is 100% in contact with the table top but still sliding on the table, that is considered settled and is successfully flipped. If the cup meets all the previous requirements but is hanging partially off the table, that is considered settled and successfully flipped.
If the game is tied at the end of the regular play, the game goes to extra innings until one team has more points than the other team at the end of an inning.
You cannot steal more than one base at a time. You also cannot attempt to steal unless all 6 base cups have beer in them. It is the shooting team’s responsibility to make sure all 6 base cups have beer in them.
You cannot steal during a shot or while a shot ball is in the air.
At the Beerlympics, a game of Brewball will consist of 6 innings in the interest of time. Unless it is chosen in the Grand Finals, then it will be the full 9 innings.
FAQ:
Can I bounce the ball?
Not in Brewball! Shots only count that go from the hand, through the air, and into the cup. If a shot ball hits any object other than a live cup during the shot, it is a dead ball. For example, if the ball hits the table, a drink on the side of the table, someone’s body behind the table, etc, and then goes into a cup in play, that will not count as a hit cup. If a shot ball hits a live cup and bounces into another live cup, that will count as a hit cup.
Can I grab balls that hit a cup, bounce into the air, and then might fall into another cup?
Yes! Once the player’s shot has hit a live cup, you may grab the ball out of the air. If you touch the ball over the table and it goes into a cup that will still count, so be careful. For example, if you try to slap away their ball as it is bouncing over the cups, you may accidentally hit it inside a cup instead and it now counts as a hit.
What happens if a player attempts to steal when there isn’t beer in all the base cups?
It is the shooting team’s responsibility to ensure the base cups all have beer in them before anyone on their team attempts to steal. If a team attempts to steal without beer in all the cups, that stealing attempt does not count. Reset the cups and refill them with beer.
What happens if a player shoots while someone is stealing?
If a player shoots while their teammate is stealing, but their teammate lost the flip and caused the 3rd out, your shot doesn’t count. If a shot and steal happen simultaneously, the shot will count.
What happens if a player steals with 2 outs when their teammate shoots?
If a player steals while their teammate is shooting, but their teammate misses the cups and caused the 3rd out, your stealing flip doesn’t count. If a shot and steal happen simultaneously, the shot will count.
Are distractions allowed?
Respectful distractions are allowed, but not over the cups or table. All players must also always remain on their side of the table during a game. You may not blow or try to generate wind in any way towards the table as a distraction. You may not try to shake the ground or table as a distraction. Personal insults will not be tolerated, be more creative.