AY Honors/Pathfinder Baseball/Answer Key/en

Pathfinder Baseball

Skill Level

1

Year

2025

Version

18.09.2025

Approval authority

Australian Union

NOTES

1. The requirements incorporate the unique aspects of Pathfinder Baseball while promoting physical activity, sportsmanship, safety, and spiritual growth.
2. Because the instructor needs to understand the Pathfinder Baseball game before running this honour, we strongly recommend reading Appendix A: Pathfinder Baseball - Field, Rules & Score Sheet in advance.
3. To complete the Pathfinder Baseball Honour, the pathfinders need to play Pathfinder Baseball with their Pathfinder Club peers in an outdoor field. This means they can’t achieve this Honour alone as Pathfinder Baseball is a team-based sport.
4. If your Club doesn’t have enough pathfinders to play this game (minimum 10 and no more than 15 per team), we recommend inviting another Club or Clubs to join in the Honour. Your Club staff can also participate, but in a gentle manner to prevent injuring the pathfinders and always without compromising the character values of Pathfinder Baseball.

1

History and Basics

1a

Briefly explain the history of baseball and how it has become a popular sport worldwide.

Baseball originated in the United States during the 18th and 19th centuries, evolving from older bat-and-ballgames like rounders. It became known as “America’s pastime” in the 20th century and gained popularity worldwide, particularly in countries such as Japan, Cuba, South Korea, and the Dominican Republic.

1b

Describe the origin and purpose of Pathfinder Baseball.

Pathfinder Baseball is inspired by a similar game from the Portuguese Adventist Youth. It was introduced in Australia by Paulo Loureiro, a Pathfinder District Director from the Greater Sydney Conference. The Castle Hill Pathfinder Club (GSC) was the first club in Australia to play this game in 2013.

Pathfinder Baseball was developed to promote fitness, teamwork, and Christian sportsmanship in a fun and safe environment. Its rules simplify traditional baseball, making it more inclusive for Pathfinders of different ages and skill levels.

1c

Explain how Pathfinder Baseball differs from traditional baseball.

Pathfinder Baseball uses a tennis ball and a bat only, without baseballs, gloves, or helmets. It uses a cone-based circuit instead of traditional bases, and players earn points by running through these cones. The game is timed, non-contact, and designed for teamwork over competition.

1d

List the basic equipment required for Pathfinder Baseball and explain why baseballs, helmets and gloves are not used.

Basic equipment: 3 tennis balls; 1 bat (preferably wooden); 9 cones (A to I); 1 bucket (target point for the ball); markers for batting, pitcher’s, and catcher’s squares.

Baseballs, gloves and helmets are not used, especially to minimise injury risk, but also to make the game more accessible for clubs with limited equipment and fewer financial resources.

2

The Field and Setup

2a

Draw and label a diagram of a Pathfinder Baseball field, including all cones (A to I), the batting square, pitcher’s square, catcher’s square, bucket location, and waiting area.

(Per Appendix A, a field layout should be provided by the instructor or attached separately, showing cones A–I arranged in a circuit, the batting square, pitcher’s square, catcher’s square, the bucket, and the waiting area.)

2b

Explain how the field dimensions can be adjusted for different group sizes and physical abilities.

The field size can be adjusted according to the age and ability of the participants. Cone I to A should be 15–20 metres, while distances between other cones (A to B, B to C, etc.) should be 5–8 metres. This flexibility allows smaller or younger groups to play comfortably.

3

Team Roles and Game Structure

3a

Explain the structure of a Pathfinder Baseball game, including how teams alternate between attacking and defending, and how games are timed.

Each game is divided into two timed halves. One team attacks first while the other defends, then they swap roles. There are three games in a match, each separated by a short break. The team that scores the most points during their attacking half wins the game, and the team that wins two out of three games wins the match.

3b

Describe the roles of the three referees and the fiscals, and how they contribute to the game.

Describe the roles of the three referees and the fiscals, and how they contribute to the game.

Referee 1: Oversees gameplay, uses a whistle, and stops play when the ball is returned to the bucket.

Referee 2: Manages batter transitions and the attacking waiting line.

Referee 3: Keeps score and time, and notifies Referee 1 when time is up.

Fiscals: Positioned at cones A–H to ensure defending players stay within bounds and monitor runners’ positions when play is stopped.

4

Game Rules and Scoring

4a

Explain how a team scores points in Pathfinder Baseball.

1 point for a runner completing the circuit with stops.

3 points for completing the circuit without stopping (homerun).

4b

Describe the rules a batter must follow, including hitting, running, and losing their turn.

Must hit the ball within three attempts.

Must leave the bat in the square before running.

Must run past Cone A before the ball returns to the bucket.

If the ball is caught in mid-air, the batter is out.

Runners return to the last cone passed when the whistle blows.

4c

Outline the responsibilities and restrictions of the defending team, especially regarding returning the ball to the bucket.

All defenders must be within bounds before the pitch.

Retrieve and return the ball to the defender by the bucket.

Only the designated defender may place the ball in the bucket.

Deliberate delays may result in added time for the attackers.

4d

Explain how referees and fiscals maintain fairness and integrity during the game.

Referees enforce rules with a whistle, manage timing, and control player movement.

Fiscals ensure defenders are positioned correctly and monitor honest play. If time is wasted or unsafe play occurs, referees may adjust timing or call infractions.

5

Safety and Sportsmanship

Pitcher’s square must be 5m in front of the batter.

Catcher’s square must be 5m behind the batter.

Bat must be placed in the batting square after hitting.

The waiting line must be 3m to the side of the catcher.

Defenders must be vigilant and not too close to the batting square.

These safety measures are vital in preventing injuries and ensuring everyone can enjoy the game.

5a

List the key safety measures in Pathfinder Baseball and explain why they are essential.

5b

Demonstrate good sportsmanship, teamwork, and encouragement to others during game play.

The instructor shows four ways the pathfinder can meet this requirement: by cheering on teammates; respecting referees and opponents; encouraging all participants; and accepting wins and losses graciously.

6

Skills and Demonstration

Spiritual Application

6a

Participate in at least three Pathfinder Baseball games in one go, following all safety and sportsmanship guidelines.

(Instructor to supervise and verify that the Pathfinder actively participates in three games.)

6b

Demonstrate proper batting technique and safe base running.

Batting: proper grip, stance, and swing.

Running: quick, straight-line movement outside the cone circuit, stopping when the whistle blows.

6c

Show how to play the roles of pitcher, catcher, batter, and bucket defender.

Pitcher: throws accurate balls from the pitcher’s square.

Catcher: retrieves missed balls behind the batter and sends them to the pitcher.

Batter: hits, leaves the bat inside the batting square, and runs properly.

Bucket defender: catches the ball without moving too far from the bucket and places it securely in the bucket.

7

7a

Memorise and recite 1 Corinthians 9:24–25, and explain how it applies to playing Pathfinder Baseball.

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.
— 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (NLT)

This verse compares the Christian life to a race. Just as athletes train and compete to win, Christians must be disciplined and faithful to reach their ultimate goal: eternal life with Jesus. It’s about giving your best, staying focused, and not giving up.

7b

Participate in or lead a short devotion relating the principles of the game to Christian living.

(Example topic: “God as Our Coach”. Just as a coach trains and encourages players, God guides and strengthens us through life’s challenges. Include Scripture, discussion, and prayer.)

References

• Australian Union Pathfinder Baseball Honor
• Way To Go Pursuit - Pathfinder Baseball