Costumes (19) / Party Supplies (33)

Baseball Party

Table of contents

Introduction

“Play ball!” Yes, Ladies & Gents, it’s that festive time of the year again (which practically means any old time of the year) where parties are abound in their hundreds and spirits are soaring high. And in case you haven’t guessed, our current party is on the theme of that ever popular game, Baseball!

The game itself originated from other bat-and-ball games – most notably cricket and rounders – prior to 1755 in England. From there the English and Irish colonialists brought it to America where the game was soon adapted to embody that fine American flair. Oh yes, and just in case you didn’t know, it was made an Olympic sport back in 1912.

For those with little knowledge about how the game is played, here's a little insight:

For any given National League match, there are two opposing teams with nine players on each side. In the American League there may be a tenth player called a "designated hitter" who bats for the pitcher. As the goal of the game is to get the most runs, each team has a chance to bat while the other team does the pitching and fielding. This is called an inning. Once three outs have been achieved by the fielding team, the teams switch. There are typically nine innings in a game of baseball.

Runs are scored by hitting the ball with the bat and then running from base to base in a counter-clockwise direction. There are four bases: 1st base, 2nd base, 3rd base, and a home base (which is both the start base and the end base).


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Baseball Invitations

As for baseball invitations, the skies are the limit. Due to the popularity of America’s favorite “national pastime”, you’ll find no end of baseball party invitations and customizable paraphernalia at your local retailer. And just incase you thought you’d rather do it yourself, below you’ll find a couple of baseball party invitation ideas.

Take care to include the following information in your invitation:

  • Party Name: Examples include “Alan’s Home Run Bash” or “Alan’s Heavy Hitter Party”.

  • Salutation: “Dear Mr. & Mrs. Appleton”

  • Date & Time

  • Venue/Location

  • Dress Code

  • Contact Details

  • Additional info: This is where you supply your guests with important information relevant to the party.


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The Golden Sombrero

If a batter strikes out more than four times in any one game, he is said to be wearing the “golden sombrero”. For the purposes of our baseball party invitations however, the golden sombrero will make an excellent invitation.

Here’s what you’ll need: a miniature sombrero for each attendee, an equal amount of baseball cards and a bit of golden spray paint.

Here’s what to do: Simply spray the sombrero until its surface and the insides are entirely covered in gold. Whilst waiting for the paint to dry, write the details of your baseball party on one side of the card. Remember to include the date, time, location as well as dress code instructions. If you want your guests to bring something extra, make a note of that too.

When all the sombreros are dry and all the cards are done, fasten the cards to the inside of the sombrero – one card per hat – and deliver it to your friends.


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The Souvenir Baseball

This is perhaps the easiest of them all and will make a great souvenir for years to come.

Here’s what you’ll need: A baseball for each of your guests which can be obtained from your local sports retailer at dirt cheap prices.

Here’s what to do: In professional, legible, ballplayer style, write down the details of the party on one face of the ball. When done, add your John Hancock (autograph) to the other, blank side of the ball.


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The Souvenir Mitt

As with the “Souvenir Baseball” above, the Souvenir Mitt invitation is easy to make.

Here’s what you’ll need: a mitt for each of the prospective party attendees acquired from your local sports retailer.

Here’s what to do: If it’s an infielder or outfielder mitt, write the details of the party on each finger, again signing the back of the mitt in pro style.


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Baseball Dress Code

Baseball uniforms! That’s right, nothing could be easier than dressing appropriately for a baseball-themed party.

But why not make it interesting and ask your guests to dress like the late greats of the game? Think Babe Ruth and Yogi Berra, think Joe Dimaggio and Lou Gehrig. And remember, baseball is not only about the players, it’s about coaches, umpires, ball girls and many, many more.


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Baseball Decorations

Create your own indoor baseball pitch by reproducing a miniature version of the diamond (the 90-foot square of which the corners are the bases). You can either use pillows, cushions or baseball-themed poufs for the bases or just get some real ones. For those having the party outside, remember to chalk up the lines between the bases.

On the other hand, why not just take your party to an actual baseball field? This will ensure that your house stays in tact and that there is as much space for people to enjoy the great game of baseball.


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Baseball Guest Arrival & Announcement

If your guests will be dressing up as the late greats of the game, why not put on a suit and get seated at a table close to the entrance – you’ll be the sportscaster announcing the guests as they arrive with all their career facts and stats.


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Baseball Party Favors

As there are a multitude of products available from sports retailers, we’re sure it would be no problem to come up with a couple of different ideas for some excellent baseball party favors. But just incase you’re stuck for some ideas, here are a couple of proven winners:

Miniature baseball bats and baseballs are plentiful. Add some flair to them by painting them gold and then using a stencil to paint the date and name of your party on the side of the bat.

Baseball trophies are also easy to come by and inexpensive. To really make your guests’ day, have their names as well as the party date and name engraved on the plaque.

One other thing we’ve found to be quite a hit with guests is the gift of baseball playing cards. These are available in all shapes and sizes and will have your guests thinking back to your party when they’re having a poker night or just playing cards at home on a rainy evening.


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Baseball Activities

Baseball! 

What would a baseball party be without a game of baseball? This can tie in wonderfully with the dress code idea if you ask your guests to dress as a member of one of two great historic baseball teams. Just ensure that there are roughly an equal amount of players on each side.

Hunt the Goose Egg!

We all know that, in baseball, a “Goose Egg” refers to a zero on the scoreboard. Still, getting a real goose egg or making a cardboard one and painting it gold and then hiding it will make for an excellent treasure hunt game. The one who finds the goose egg, gets the grand prize!


Three-legged Bases

It’s a game of baseball with an added twist: a designated batter will hit all the balls, but run none of the bases. Guests will be paired in twos, their legs tied together as in a three-legged race. When the batter hits, a couple of runners should run the bases for him. With his next hit, another couple should run toward first base whilst the previous couple moves on to the next base. Remember, baseball is about communication and teamwork!


Musical Bases!

This is a great game to play and will separate the quick from the… well, not so quick. It is played exactly like musical chairs, but with bases. To ensure that more people can play, add some bases to begin with and remove one each time the music starts again.


Baseball Charades!

Who knows the most about baseball? Each guest has his or her turn at charades to supply clues on anything related to baseball.


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Food & Drink

“Get yer hot dogs, peanuts and drinks!” Yep, as we know the traditional food of baseball is hot dogs, peanuts and something to wash it down with. But then each American team’s home stadium has its own unique cuisine, too. Here is a list of some of the individual stadiums’ and their respective foods:

Shea Staduim: Nathan’s foot long chili cheese dog & fries. They’re legendary and they’re easy to make as all the ingredients can be bought pre-prepared. This is ideal food for a BBQ after the baseball match.

Oriole Park: Boog’s BBQ is famous for its pork, hickory-smoked beef as well as turkey. All of these are marinated in a savory BBQ sauce. Naturally you can expand on this area as you wish to include a variety of sauces as well as meats.

Safeco Field: Ivar’s Grilled Salmon Sandwich. For those with a slightly more refined taste, these slightly seasoned grilled planks of freshly caught wild salmon will make the perfect meal. Serve on a roll of your choice – preferably seed – with a side salad to match.

Petco Park: Shrimp Tacos. As all lovers of baseball know, tacos are part of the staple diet. Serve fried or grilled shrimp covered with garlic sauce, salsa and cabbage to get set the mood for the perfect party.

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