Stool ball
Stool ball is a medieval bat and ball game that is thought to be the common ancestor of both baseball and cricket. It is still played as an organized sport in Sussex, England to this day. A different version of the game, based on plausible medieval rules, is played in An Tir.
Players: 2 to ?
Equipment: A soft ball (not a softball) A bat, paddle, stick, etc. Two stools or stumps or small folding chairs, etc.
The object of the game: A stool, chair, or stump is placed at Home, and another one about 30 feet away is the Base. The pitcher or bowler stands near the Base and throws the ball underhand toward Home, trying to hit the Home stool with the pitch. The batter tries to prevent the pitcher's throw from hitting Home, by batting the ball away. If the batter hits the ball, he can run around the Base and back Home, and if he does this before the fielders can hit the Home stool with the ball, he scores a run.
In An Tir, a version of stool ball was developed by Wenyeva atte grene for the "Medieval Baseball" activity at the event A Celebration at Chepstow, hosted by Wyewood in July XL/2005. The game was played by players of all ages, and much fun was had by all. Informal stool ball games were also played later that year at some events.