Let's Play Rollie Hit the Bat - Adventures with Kelly

Rollie Hit the Bat is a fun Wiffle ball yard game my family never seems to get tired of. It’s easy to learn and hard to stop playing. We’re big fans of free play and pickup games, and after realizing how many people have never heard of it, I wanted to share what I know about it.

I grew up playing this game in my neighborhood, and now I love seeing my own kids enjoy it just as much. I’m not sure where it originated, and I have’t found any official rules. We even debate the name and spelling. My dad, who also grew up playing it, calls it “Rollie Hit the Bat,” while I’ve always called it “Rollie Pollie Hit the Bat.”

However you say it, I wanted to share how we play this game to maybe inspire others to play. It gets people moving, brings out the fun, and has a way of building community.

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Why I Love This Game

First, it’s cheap. All you need is any kind of Wiffle ball and bat (though I imagine you could upgrade to an actual baseball, bat, and glove if you wanted to).

Secondly, while you could add as many players as you want, you really only need two players to play. It’s a great option if you can’t seem to get enough players for a standard pick up game of Wiffle ball with teams. Sometimes we even utilize it as a warm up activity while we wait to get a Wiffle ball game going.

It’s also a fun low pressure game, so it’s a great activity to introduce baseball to kids and build confidence. Since there’s really no score or winner it seems everyone just keeps playing and playing, motivated to become the hitter.

How to Play

Determine who is going to bat first (maybe with rock paper scissors?). The other player or players head to the outfield as the fielder(s). We often play with one fielder and still have fun. But, adding more fielders makes going after the ball a little more fun and competitive.

The batter hits the ball. We usually self pitch or use a tee if needed.

If the fielder catches a fly ball, the fielder becomes the batter. If the fielder retrieves a grounder, the fielder runs towards the bat with the ball while the batter holds the bat in the air.

When the batter drops the bat to the ground, the fielder freezes.

Then the fielder rolls the ball toward the bat aiming to hit the bat.

If the ball hits the bat, the fielder becomes the hitter. If the ball misses, the batter hits again.

We sometimes incorporate an optional rule where if the ball is retrieved within a short distance of the hitter (maybe 5-8 feet), the bat is held vertically.