Arena Stickball

Arena Stickball is a popular sport played on Alternia during the time period of Hiveswap. It is the favourite passtime of Xefros Tritoh, who plays the role of Pusher. Arena Stickball is a competitive team game played with 15 balls; "these are all different sizes and each has its own distinct powers". Players (or at least players playing Pusher) wield a chalked Cuebat in the manner of a baseball bat on Earth, and wear protective headgear. Despite this, Arena Stickball is often mortally dangerous, the Pusher role particularly so, to the extent that burgandy blooded players are saught out for their perceived expendableness of their caste, and for the ability to psychically commune with players who have died, among other telekinetic abilities.

Arena Stickball is seemingly based upon Table Stickball, which is HS 8036 (a fun game that The Felt made up which is based upon their hats), and which also bears an uncanny resemblance to the Earth game of Pool. Due to this, it is possible that the popularity of the game of Arena Stickball on Alternia is due to the influence of Doc Scratch and the other Felt members over the planet and its society.

Rules
The full ruleset of Arena Stickball is unknown. There are 15 balls of different sizes and which possess differing abilities. One of these balls is known as the Clover; possibly the other balls are named after a corresponding Felt member. Two teams compete to score with the balls; the Pusher is the only player position which is allowed to score, making Pushers frequent targets for attacks from other players. Other players take defensive positions, and yet more positions and roles for players presumably exist.

The telekinesis lock on the Sports Vault in Xefros' Rumpus Room consists of a small minigame to be played with psychic powers, which seems to be based on some version of Arena Stickball. This game incorporates hostile enemies in the form of aggressive black crustaceans. It is unknown if these are also a part of a real game of Arena Stickball, but knowing Alternian culture, they may well be.

Culture
Teams compete in Arena Stickball leagues. One time, Xefros' team took third place in the Outglut Grub League, and the team members were awarded a featureless white orb as a trophy. He is currently trying out for the Thrashthrust Junior League, likely a city youth league. Players who perform badly in try-outs risk being Culled. Beyond this, top teams compete in the Alternian Pro Arena Stickball League, which is distinguished by its crest displaying the 15 balls of Arena Stickball. Popular pro teams include the Thrashthrust Snowglobes, Xefros' favourite team.

Arena Stickball is also referred to as the "Sport of Lords", similarly to how on Earth horse racing is sometimes referred to as the "Sport of Kings".

Arena Stickball Illustrated is a magazine publication dedicated to the sport.

Merchandise
Small figurines of Arena Stickball players can be purchased or attained; these may be depictions of famous players. Two player tabletop versions of the game in a similar style to table soccer also exist, but these apparently don't bear much resemblance to the actual game of Arena Stickball. Arena Stickball game grubs (video games) are also released periodically, around six times per sweep; however, these are all very similar as the rules of the game don't change.