Are there really rules in ragball?

So tonight was Maci's second ragball game. It was a good time had by all UNTIL I told a kid to run two bases instead of the one the "rules" stated. However, I didn't even know there was rules in ragball because there is no outs, everyone hits the ball, everyone runs the bases and everyone plays in the dirt. I thought the point was to teach them hit ball, drop bat gingerly, run to first in the straightest line a 4 or 5 year can run, then to second, third and home all touching each base. And then the fielding maybe my suggestion of if the ball comes to you give it to a boy should be altered at some point. Especially since there won't always be boys playing ball with her. But have fun right. I do want to point out that my kid is better than your kid because she did hit the ball without the tee TWO times. Yes they only bat 2 times in order to make it through the hour time limit. And really there is only so much dirt playing that can actually happen right? And the grandparents can only take so long on those hard bleachers, while watching the action packed game of ragball. So I broke the "rules" it is still up for debate.

The conversation with the upset coach was short. She says "the kids are only allowed to advance one base." I say "I didn't know the rules or read the rule book." (in my defense last week I was strictly dugout coach - you know make sure all the kids were there and the right ones had helmets and bats. The real coach had to work and this was a rain date make up game) "We did this last game and no one got mad at us. I thought the only rule was to have fun and no outs and no score." She proceeds to home plate. I mean really when we started most of them didn't know which base to go to first. So I thought this is great league learning fundamentals and getting out socially. Silly me.

So I got told on to the umpire. And the next inning, I got kicked off 3rd base coach and moved to 1st base for the 2nd at bat. All in all it doesn't matter my little slugger ran to 1st an gave me a big hug and kiss. I bet that isn't allowed in the "rules" either.

I signed her up for pitching lessons if I am going to be that parent might as well go FULL speed ahead. Yep she is playing even if she doesn't want to - and she is going to like it! I might start my own ragball traveling team and go play out of town YMCA teams. Wish me luck! Or more appropriately my little ragballer luck!

And by the way the ruling went in our favor. I think it was stated it was just for the kids to have fun it is really no big deal either way. Tell that to the grandpa in the stands constantly telling me that I was making up my own rules and is that how it was going to be yada yada yada. I didn't even yell shut up or I don't see you out here coaching. I spent my time cheering for their kids I knew when they were batting and fielding and "coaching" them along. Even though they weren't on our team. Crazy isn't it?