Overview:

Taco is a field game descended from Cricket. It originated on the beaches and streets of Brazil. It is played by teams of two players with two bats, two post, and a ball. The game is meant to be adapted to any space and means available. Throughout the game, the teams rotate through three different positions in order to score points on offense, or deter their opponents from scoring on defense; it requires moderate exertion and is appropriate for most ages and skill levels.

Objective:

To be the first team to score twenty-one clicks and successfully cross bats, scoring taco.

Positions:

Batting

The goal of the batting team is to score clicks (points) and also protect the post from being knocked over. They do this by hitting the ball into the field. The batters may hit in any direction that they choose, including backwards. The field may require special boundaries, and special rules apply when the ball is hit outside of these boundaries.

Pitching

Each player of the pitching team takes a position on either side of a post. Once they are stationed, they cannot switch post. Each player takes turns pitching the ball in order to knock over the post on the opposing base. They also assist the outfield in trying to get the batting team out.

Outfield

The goal of the teams in the outfield is to get the batting team out.

Rotation:

At the beginning of the game, all the teams must put themselves into a batting order. When the team batting gets out, they go into the outfield. Then the team pitching becomes the batters, and the team who is next in the batting order becomes the pitchers.

Scoring:

The batting team is the only one able to score points. A point is recorded any time the batters successfully switch bases while also clicking bats. This may happen at any time, whether it be an errant pitch or on a successful hit. When the ball makes contact with a bat that is not on a base, the batters must attempt to score a point, however, each batting team is allowed one exception to this rule during each batting session. Therefore, if the batting team has a hit with very weak contact, they have the option to remain on the base one time per outing.

Special Scoring rule: If a team hits the ball out of bounds, then they automatically get two points. However, this method of scoring is only allowed once per batting session.

Outs:

Fly-out

Any time a pitcher or outfielder catches the ball after it has come into contact with the bat before the ball hits the ground.

Throw-out

Any time the ball comes into contact with a batter when his bat is not on a base (note: the batter does not need to be holding his bat in order to be safe).

Post-out

By Batter - Any time a batter knocks over a post he is out.

By ball - If the ball knocks over a post while either of the bats are off the base. This could happen if the batters are trying to score a click, or if they pick up the bat to hit the ball. It does not matter which bat is off the base or which post is knocked over. If a defensive player is holding the ball, their body becomes an extension of the ball. Therefore, they are able to record an out by knocking over a post with any part of their body, as long as they continue to hold onto the ball.

Pitch-out

Anytime a pitcher pitches the ball such that it knocks over the post furthest away from his base.

Run limit

After a team has reached seven points in one round, then they must give up their bats and rotate into the field.