Baseball Drinking Game: A Mix of Beer Pong, Flip Cup and Baseball Rules

Looking for a drinking game that’s more exciting than beer pong but just as easy to play? The baseball drinking game is the perfect combination of skill, teamwork, and alcohol-fueled competition. Whether you’re tailgating, hosting a party, or just looking for a way to spice up your game night, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

What Is the Baseball Drinking Game?

The baseball drinking game is a mix of beer pong and flip cup, played with a baseball-style twist. Instead of just sinking cups, players move around the bases—first, second, third, and home—just like in real baseball. Each base has different rules and drinking requirements, adding a strategic element to the game.

While the classic version is played on a table with beer-filled cups, there are also variations that involve watching live baseball games, where players drink based on real-game events. No matter which version you play, expect plenty of laughs and a whole lot of drinking.

How to Play the Baseball Drinking Game?

Step 1: Set Up the Game

• Arrange 4 cups in a straight line per team, representing first, second, third base, and home plate.
• Place three extra cups per team for baserunners.
• Flip cup cups should be placed in the center of the table.
• Fill each cup with drinks:
  • 1st base → ¼ full
  • 2nd base → ½ full
  • 3rd base → ¾ full
  • Home run cup → Full

Step 2: Choose Teams & Positions

• Divide players into two teams.
• Each team selects two captains who take turns choosing players.
• The second captain chooses if their team is home (shoots second) or away (shoots first).

Step 3: Batting & Scoring

• Each team takes turns shooting the ping pong ball at the opponent’s cups.
• If a player lands a ball in a cup:
  • The defending team drinks that cup and all cups below it (e.g., a triple means drinking the third, second, and first base cups).
  • The batter advances bases based on the cup hit.
• If a player misses three times, it counts as an out.
• The team switches sides after three outs per inning.
• The game lasts nine innings (or six for a shorter game).

Step 4: Running the Bases

• When a player lands a ball in a cup, they advance to the corresponding base cup.
• Players on base can try to steal a base by playing flip cup against the defending team’s catcher:
  • If the base runner wins flip cup, they advance.
  • If they lose, they are out.

Step 5: Defending & Catching Outs

• If a thrown ball hits a cup but does not land inside, the fielding team can catch it before it touches the table or floor to get the batter out.
• If a shot misses completely, it’s an automatic out.
• The defending team rotates catchers each inning.

Winning the Game

• After nine innings, the team with the most runs wins.
• Optional rule: Play “Little League” (six innings) for a faster game.

Fun Variations of the Baseball Drinking Game

1. Fast-Pitch Mode

• Each player only gets one throw per turn, making the game move faster.
• Great for large groups or short drinking sessions.

2. Flip Cup Baseball Hybrid

• Instead of shooting a ball, players must complete a flip cup challenge at each base to advance.
• Adds a higher skill factor and requires teamwork.

3. Extreme Baseball Drinking – Adding Shots & Bonus Rules

• Assign different shot types for different bases (e.g., tequila for second base, whiskey for home runs).
• Add “stealing bases” by challenging a player to a one-on-one flip cup contest to advance.

Watching Baseball? Try the Live Baseball Drinking Game

Drinking Rules for MLB Games

• Drink for each strikeout.
• Chug a beer if a player hits a home run.
• Drink twice if your team makes an error.
• Take a shot if there’s a grand slam.

Reddit’s Favorite Baseball Drinking Rules

• Every time the commentator says a cliché phrase (“He’s a gamer,” “Clutch moment”), take a sip.
• Drink if the camera zooms in on a disappointed fan.
• Finish your drink if the game goes into extra innings.

The 999 Challenge

Enter the 999 Challenge—a legendary test of endurance where you must consume 9 hot dogs and 9 beers over the course of 9 innings while watching a full baseball game. It sounds simple, but only the bravest (or most foolish) attempt to complete it.

Creative Variations of the Baseball Drinking Game

If you want to take the baseball drinking game to the next level, it’s time to get a little wild. Forget the standard rules—these variations will have you laughing, chugging, and wondering why you ever played regular beer pong in the first place. Buckle up, because things are about to get messy!

1. Drunk Umpire Challenge

The Twist: One person (a designated “umpire”) wears a ridiculous outfit—think a bathrobe, an oversized hat, or a snorkel—and has absolute power to call plays.

Rules:

• The umpire can randomly call “SAFE!” or “OUT!” on any shot, whether it’s a hit or a complete miss.
• If the umpire says “OUT!” the shooter must drink.
• If the umpire says “SAFE!” the defensive team has to chug a beer in protest.
• The umpire can also make up on-the-spot penalties, like forcing a player to bat with their non-dominant hand or only allowing curveball throws (aka bouncing the ball).

Best For: Players who love chaos and questionable decision-making.

2. The Bases Are Lava

The Twist: Each base has a special rule that makes it harder to reach home plate.

Rules:

• First Base: The player must throw the ball while spinning in a circle five times.
• Second Base: The player must drink one beer while balancing on one foot.
• Third Base: The player can only shoot the ball with their elbow touching the table.
• Home Run: The player must shotgun a beer before taking the shot.

Best For: Those who love party games with ridiculous physical challenges.

3. The Mascot Mayhem Edition

The Twist: Each team must assign one person to be the “team mascot” for the whole game.

Rules:

• The mascot must wear something absurd (a banana suit, a cowboy hat, or just go shirtless with face paint).
• The mascot cannot speak—only communicate through exaggerated gestures.
• If the mascot laughs or breaks character, they have to chug a beer.
• If a team hits a home run, the mascot must do a ridiculous victory dance before they can continue drinking.

Best For: Teams that don’t take themselves too seriously and want maximum entertainment value.

4. The Grand Slam Gauntlet

The Twist: Home runs aren’t just about scoring—they trigger an all-out drinking challenge for the entire team.

Rules:

• If a player hits a home run, they get to pick one of the following punishment challenges for the other team:
  1. “Rundown” – The other team must complete a relay race where they chug a beer and then spin in circles before running to high-five their teammates.
  2. “Extra Innings” – The losing team plays an immediate flip cup match to stay in the game.
  3. “The Seventh-Inning Shot” – Each member of the opposing team takes a shot of liquor.
  4. “The Dugout Brawl” – Two members from the other team must arm wrestle while drinking beer through a straw.

Best For: Competitive drinkers who love adding extra stakes to the game.

5. The Walk-Off Waterfall

The Twist: If the game is tied at the end, the final tiebreaker is a team-wide waterfall challenge.

Rules:

• Each team lines up and starts drinking at the same time.
• Players can only stop drinking when the person before them stops.
• The team that holds out the longest gets the win.
• If both teams give up at the same time, the game goes to a sudden-death chug-off.

Best For: Games that need a high-drama, high-alcohol ending.

6. The Beer Bat Flip Challenge

The Twist: If you hit a home run, you must celebrate properly… with a bat flip and a beer chug.

Rules:

• After landing a home run shot, the player must grab an empty beer can, flip it dramatically, and chug another drink.
• If they fail the flip, they must drink again as a “punishment for disrespecting the game.”
• Extra style points for dramatic slow-motion celebrations.

Best For: Players who love baseball showboating and over-the-top celebrations.

7. The Drunken Bullpen

The Twist: There’s a designated “bullpen” where eliminated players can still impact the game.

Rules:

• Any player who gets three outs in a row is sent to the bullpen.
• They must take a shot before re-entering the game.
• Players in the bullpen can also try to distract the opposing team by heckling, making weird noises, or singing baseball chants.
• If the bullpen successfully distracts a shooter into missing, the opposing team must drink.

Best For: Players who love to talk trash and create chaos.

8. The Home Run Derby Drinking Blitz

The Twist: Instead of playing nine innings, the game is condensed into a short, intense challenge where only home runs count.

Rules:

• Each player gets three shots per turn, trying to land a home run.
• If they hit a home run, the other team drinks.
• If they miss all three, they must take a penalty shot.
• First team to five home runs wins, and the losing team must shotgun a beer.

Best For: Shorter drinking sessions or when players want maximum intensity.

9. The Rookie Hazing Rule

The Twist: The newest player (or the one who has played the least) is assigned “rookie duties.”

Rules:

• The rookie must fetch beers for both teams whenever needed.
• If they forget, they have to do a penalty chug.
• The rookie also gets a “cheat pass” once per game, allowing them to dodge a drinking penalty.
• If the rookie lands a home run, everyone else must drink as a sign of respect.

Best For: Groups with a mix of experienced and new players who want to keep things lighthearted.

10. The World Series of Wasted

The Twist: Turn the baseball drinking game into a multi-round tournament where teams battle for ultimate supremacy.

Rules:

• Each game is considered a “series,” and the first team to win three out of five games is crowned champion.
• The losing team must do an embarrassing punishment (such as singing a baseball anthem while chugging).
• The championship-winning team gets to create a new drinking rule that carries over to the next game.

Best For: Larger parties or groups who want to turn the baseball drinking game into an all-night event.

DIY Baseball Drinking Game Table Setup & Customization

A true baseball drinking game deserves more than just a boring table with plastic cups. Let’s turn your setup into a mini stadium that will impress your friends.

1. How to Make a Baseball-Themed Game Table

• Paint the Bases: Use white tape or chalk to create a diamond-shaped field on your table.
• Add Team Logos: Print out your favorite MLB logos and stick them on the cups.
• Use LED Lights: Outline the bases with string lights for a night-game effect.

2. Best Ways to Personalize the Cups

• “Rookie Cups” – A special set of cups for new players with easier rules.
• “Hall of Fame Cup” – A golden cup for MVP players that grants special privileges.
• “Penalty Cup” – A nasty mix of whatever drinks are left at the end of the game.

3. How to Turn Your Backyard Into a Mini Baseball Stadium

• Set up a “Dugout” (a seating area for teams).
• Use a real baseball bat as the designated drinking stick.
• Play classic stadium sound effects (crowd cheers, organ music) in the background.

Themed Party Ideas for a Baseball Drinking Night

A baseball drinking game is fun, but turning it into a full-scale baseball party makes it legendary. Here’s how to level up your night.

1. “Opening Day” Party Theme

• Have guests dress in jerseys, baseball caps, and eye black.
• Serve ballpark food like hot dogs, nachos, and pretzels.
• Play the national anthem before the game starts (bonus points if someone sings it badly).

2. Baseball Drinking Playlists – The Ultimate Soundtrack

Every great game needs music. Try these classics:

• “Centerfield” – John Fogerty
• “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” – Traditional
• “We Will Rock You” – Queen
• “Sweet Caroline” – Neil Diamond (mandatory for Red Sox fans)

3. Fun Party Additions

• Halftime Stretch: Halfway through, pause for a ridiculous team exercise.
• Mascot Contest: The worst-performing player has to dress up as the team mascot.
• Victory Parade: The winning team gets a celebratory lap around the house.

Make Your Own Baseball Drinking Rules!

The baseball drinking game is a fantastic way to bring friends together and add excitement to any party. Whether you stick to the classic rules or create your own crazy variations, the goal is to have fun and drink responsibly. Try it out, experiment with new rules, and may the best team win!

FAQs – Baseball Drinking Game