TOP OF THE NINTH, 1 OUT.......
.......man on first. Team Canada is at the plate. They are down a
run with the score 11-10. Team U.S.A is on the field defending. The
world championship is on the line. The batter coolly takes a few
practice swings. There is eye contact between the pitcher and
batter. And theres the pitch, a second later the crack of the bat.
The ball is smashed down the 3rd base line. The Team U.S.A 3rd
baseman has made one quick lunge to his right and snagged the ball on
a short hop. Incredible timing. Then with another lightning quick
move he has launched the ball to his 2nd baseman. Where he in turns
steps on the bag, making it two out, he then fires the ball to his
awaiting 1st baseman. The ball is caught and in time. Three out. A
perfect double play. Game over Team U.S.A. has won the World
Championship.......
I am sure you are wondering why you are reading about a baseball
play in a lacrosse magazine. The reason is, this is not a baseball
game. In fact this is a Crossball game. The play executed by
Fantasy Team U.S.A was done with lacrosse sticks, not baseball gloves.
Crossball is a combination of baseball and lacrosse. It was created in
Victoria, British Columbia. Canada. In the year 2005. It is very
similar to baseball, however it is played with a bat, lacrosse sticks
and lacrosse ball. The pitcher and batter are on the same team. The
batter gets only 3 pitches maximum. There are no strikes or balls.
The game is much more exciting than baseball because the ball is
entering the playing field almost every time a batter is up. This
game takes out the tedious tension between the pitcher and batter.
No more running into a hot pitcher where he strikes everyone out and
the fielders rarely see the ball. Each player has to pitch at least
half a "crossing" (name used instead of inning). Also, unlike
baseball there are no rain delays in Crossball, you play in rain,
sleet and snow.
My name is David W. Brown and I am the creator of Crossball. I am
also the president of the I.C.F. ( International Crossball
Federation) This game is already finding its roots in Canada, India
and Pakistan. I want to take this new and exciting sport global. If
you or anyone you know is interested in helping develop Crossball in
your country, please go to crossball.org and check out the
International Crossball Federation.
You can contact me, David W. Brown at
crossball@gmail.com.
The next time you are watching a baseball game, picture the players
making plays with lacrosse sticks instead of baseball gloves. There
is no better piece of equipment than the lacrosse stick, the
possibilities for making plays is endless. Catch this!!!
(this article is going to be published in the September issue of The
European Lacrosse Magazine. Germany wins 11-10 over France)