Fast Inning Baseball

I decided to try Fast Inning Baseball

Overview

Fast Inning Baseball (FIB) is a quick play baseball dice game. Instead of rolling for each at bat, you make one roll per half inning, then cross reference a chart to find if and how many runs score in the inning. Some results are conditional. For example, the half inning may end in a strikeout if the pitcher is highly rated, otherwise runs score. This makes team and individual statistics meaningful.

The game succeeds in creating a realistic and interesting narrative. There is a mechanic to determine who the hero of the game is. For example, in the test below, Mike Lowell had a key hit that sparked a big rally.

FIB has a stated game length of about 10 minutes.

Short play? Interesting narrative? Sounds perfect for me.

Test Game

I decided to try it out.

Welcome to game 6 of the 2003 National League Championship Series. The Chicago Cubs hold a 3-1 lead in games. One more win will send them to the World Series for the first time since 1945. The Florida Marlins, in their 11th season of existence, seek their second World Series appearance.

Carl Pavano gets the start for the Marlins while Mark Prior pitches for the Cubs.

Here is the game box score (minus the pitcher stats).

What a barn burner of a game!

• The Cubs strike first in the 4th with a home run by Aramis Ramirez
• The Marlins tie it on a Cubs error
• The Cubs build a lead in the 6th and 7th inning. The Cubs faithful are jubilant! Will this be the year?
• Disaster for the Cubs! The Marlins' Mike Lowell sparks a 5-run rally in the 8th inning
• The Cubs almost get runs in the 8th, but a sharp hit ball is caught at the warning track
• Derek Lee drives in another run in the top of the 9th
• Cubs rally! They score 2 runs but then Braden Looper shuts the gate. Cubs lose.

Ironically, this played out much like the real game 6. The Cubs had a 3-0 lead but the Marlins scored 8 runs in the 8th inning to put the game away. The Marlins ended up winning game 7, then beat the Yankees in the World Series.

Thoughts

• The game is easy to play. I picked it up in minutes.
• It is very chart heavy. I used charts on the computer for this test but I would print them out if I continue to play the game.
• As you can see from the test, the game gives a very good narrative, which I like.
• It took me about 15 minutes, a bit long. I may get quicker with time. I also may use this to play 3-4 innings, giving a couple of rerolls per game.
• The game relies on team cards. Unfortunately, they don't have them for the 1920s teams I'd like. There are instructions on prepping your own teams.
• CORRECTION: There is a Facebook page for the game with player-made content, including team cards for every season of the 1920s.