Chapter 27

The distinctive features of this form of Captain Ball are: (1) the captain occupies a place in the circumference of the circle as in I, instead of in the center as in succeeding forms of the game; (2) the captain's place is near the dividing line, instead of at the farthest point from it as in I; this gives the guards of his team, on the opposite side of the ground, a greater opportunity to reach him than in I, while any increased tendency to concentrate play near the dividing line is offset by the scoring of the ball through completing a round of the circle, and by the greater freedom allowed the guards; (3) the guards may run at large, not being confined to guarding any one baseman; (4) there are no fielders, the free action of the guards making these unnecessary; (5) the ball scores for completing a circle and also for any catch by the captain from one of his team, whether it be baseman or guard; also for a catch by any one baseman from another baseman of his team; or for a catch by the captain after it has passed through the hands of two or three basemen successively; (6) fouls differ from those in some other forms of the game, and are penalized by scoring for the opponents instead of by a toss of the ball.

GROUND.--The ground is divided into two equal parts by a line across the center. In each part a series of small rings or bases is arranged in a circle, at equal distances apart, the number and distance depending on the space at disposal and the number of players; the small base rings should not be closer to each other than four or five feet, and should measure from two to four feet in diameter. The captain's place is in one of these bases nearest the center of the ground or dividing line.

TEAMS.--There should be from eight to thirty players on each side, exclusive of the captain. Half of these players stand in the bases on their own side, the captain's base completing the circle and being nearest the dividing line. The other players of the team, called guards, are stationed at the opening of the game each near one of the opponents' bases on the opposite side of the ground from his own basemen. Each guard is chiefly responsible throughout for guarding his particular base; but all guards may move about freely in the opponents' territory without stepping within the rings (bases).

OBJECTS OF GAME.--The objects of the game are, (1) to pass the ball from baseman to baseman in one circle; or (2) entirely around one of the circles without its being caught by the opponents' guards, who seek to gain possession of it; and (3) for any baseman or guard to throw the ball as many times as possible to his own captain. The guards try not only to prevent the passage of the ball around the circle or its reaching their opponents' captain, but also to gain possession of the ball and throw it over to the opposite side to their own basemen and captain.

START.--The ball is put in play at the opening of the game, and after each catch by a captain, and after each foul, by being tossed by a neutral person in the center of the ground, the guards on both sides trying to get possession of it. The ball is not considered caught unless it be held in both hands. Any guard so catching it has an opportunity to throw it to his own captain or one of his basemen. The guards on the opposite side of course try to prevent such a catch.

RULES.--It is considered a fair catch for any baseman, including the captain, if the ball be caught on a bound either from the floor, ceiling, or any other object, or from hitting another player.

A ball that goes afield is secured by the guard standing nearest the point where it left the circle. He puts it in play from the point in the circle where it went out.

Other rules are indicated under "Fouls."

FOULS.--It is a foul (1) to kick the ball; (2) to run with the ball; (3) for a guard to step over the dividing line or inside one of the bases; (4) for a baseman to step outside of his own base, even with one foot; (5) to hand the ball instead of tossing; (6) to snatch or bat the ball from an opponent's hands; (7) to hold the ball longer than time enough to turn around quickly, or three seconds.

One point is scored by the opponents whenever a foul is made, and the ball is then put in play again from the center.

SCORE.--One point is scored for a team every time a baseman catches the ball from another baseman of the same team.

Two points are scored for a team every time its captain makes a fair catch, whether the ball has gone around his circle or not, and whether the ball was thrown by one of his basemen or one of his guards on the opposite side of the field. Three points are scored if the ball reaches two different basemen and the captain successively, whether in regular rotation around the circle or not.

Four points are scored if the ball reaches three different basemen and the captain successively, whether in regular rotation around the circle or not. Five points are scored whenever the ball passes entirely around the circle on one side, in regular rotation of basemen, whether the start and finish of that circle be with the captain or some other baseman. Each foul scores one for the opposing team, as described under "Fouls." After the captain catches the ball, no further points may be scored on it in that play and it then goes back to the center to be put again in play.

CAPTAIN BALL--III

_20 to 40 players._

_Playground; gymnasium._

_Basket ball; volley ball._

This form of Captain Ball is the most strenuous of any, as freer mass play is encouraged among the guards, and there are fewer restrictions in the form of play, batting and hitting the ball being allowed, which are fouls in other forms of the game. The method of punishing fouls is optional and should be determined before the game begins. The ground is divided somewhat differently than in other forms of the game, by a neutral space between the two fields, where the ball is tossed for sides. The ball scores both for completing a circle and being caught by a captain, but not for catching from one baseman to another, as in II. The captain is stationed in the center instead of in the circumference of the circle, as in I and II.

GROUND.--The ground is divided into two equal parts by a neutral strip about three feet wide through the center. In each half are marked five or more bases in the form of small circles from two to five feet in diameter (or rectangles), outlining part of a large circle or square open toward the center. In the center of each half is marked a small circle or base for the captain. The interest of the game may be enhanced by placing a springboard in the captain's base, on which he should stand.

TEAMS.--The players are divided into two equal teams, consisting each of (1) a captain, (2) a baseman for each base in the outer circle, (3) guards. There should be one less guard on each team than the number of players in its outer circle. For instance, for five basemen, as in the diagram, there should be four guards. The guards belonging to a team are stationed in the opponents' field, and generally begin the game lined up near the neutral territory that runs through the center of the ground. As the game progresses, the guards may scatter in any way that they choose. There are no center runners or fielders in this form of the game, as in some others An umpire is desirable, and a scorer and referee are needed for skillful teams.

OBJECTS OF GAME.--The objects of the game are (1) for the ball to be thrown and caught around the complete circle of basemen; (2) for the outer basemen to throw the ball to their captain in the center; the guards trying (1) to intercept the ball before it can complete a circle; (2) to prevent it being caught by the captain; and (3) to secure possession of the ball and send it to the basemen in their own (the opposite) field.

START.--The ball is put in play in the center of the neutral strip by an umpire or referee. He tosses the ball, and the guards from both sides try to gain possession of it. For this purpose the guards may run anywhere they choose, being permitted on the neutral territory; but as soon as possession of the ball is decided, the guards must return to their respective fields, and may not again leave them until the ball is again put in play. To touch the ball does not give a guard possession of it; he must hold it in both hands. In case of dispute the referee should again toss the ball. When a guard has secured possession of the ball, he and the other guards return to their home fields, and the one having the ball throws it to one of his basemen in the opposite field. The ball is put in play from the center after every point scored, and after it goes afield.

RULES.--The guards are not allowed to step within the bases; they may not cross the boundary lines into the neutral territory, except when the ball is being put in play. Basemen may not step outside of their bases, even with one foot. Should the captain, in catching a ball, step over his base, the catch does not score, but if this be with only one foot, he has the privilege of throwing the ball to one of his basemen without interference from the guards. A throw from a guard in the opposite field to his own captain does not score. Kicking or striking a ball out of a player's hands is allowable. In trying to block a throw, guards may not touch basemen nor step within the bases. Guards will naturally be very watchful of the center, as successful catches by the captain score.

FOULS.--Transgression of any of the previous rules constitutes a foul, penalized by giving the ball to the opposite side or by allowing them to score one point. Which of these two methods is to prevail during a game should be decided before the game starts.

SCORE.--One point is scored for a team every time that the captain catches a ball thrown by one of his basemen. One point is scored for a team whenever the ball is thrown from base to base successively until it completes an uninterrupted circle. Fouls may score or not, as explained under "Fouls." After every point scored, the ball is returned to the umpire and put again in play.

The game is played in two halves of fifteen or twenty minutes each, with a rest of five or ten minutes between the halves. Teams change sides at the beginning of the second half, but they do not change players; that is, guards do not become basemen, and _vice versa_, as in some other forms of this game.

EMPEROR BALL

(Captain Ball--IV)

_30 to 40 players._

_Playground; gymnasium._

_Basket ball._

This game is really a form of Captain Ball, but differs from any of the previous forms in the following points:--

A neutral officer, called the Emperor, is stationed in the center of the field between the two teams, and the ball scores its highest when it has been thrown entirely around one of the circles, from there to the captain in the centre, and from him to the Emperor. There are two fielders, or players at large, who try to intercept the ball before it reaches the Emperor, or to block it in any other part of the play.

GROUND.--In the center of the ground is placed a springboard, box, stool, or other platform for the impartial ruler of the game called the Emperor. The ground on each side of this point is marked out as follows: A series of bases or small circles (the number to vary with the number of players) is drawn so as to form together a large circle with from four to ten feet between each two small ones. The small circles should be from two to five feet in diameter. In the center of this large ring another small circle or base is marked for the captain of the team.

TEAMS.--The players appoint one impartial officer who is the Emperor and stands in the center on a raised base (box, jumping board, or other improvised platform). The balance of the players are divided into two equal teams, consisting each of a captain, two center players, or fielders, and a number of basemen and base guards. The two fielders may go anywhere on the field, but their main duty is to prevent the ball reaching the Emperor from an opponent. They also pick up the ball when it goes afield and hand it to the Emperor for starting again.

Each captain takes his place in a center base; the basemen stand each in a base in the circle surrounding his captain; the guards, of equal number with the basemen, take their places in the opposite field, each being assigned to guard one of the basemen, including the captain of the opposing team, and may not go from the immediate vicinity of the circle he guards.

OBJECTS OF THE GAME.--The objects of the game for each team consist (1) in throwing the ball from baseman to baseman completely around its circle; (2) around the circle as in (1) and in addition, to throw from the last baseman to the center player or captain; and (3) having completed the previous two points, to throw from the captain to the Emperor, who stands between the two halves of the field. The object of the guards, of course, is (1) to intercept the ball so as to prevent the completion of this play in any of its points; and (2) to gain possession of the ball so as to throw it across the field to their own basemen on the opposite side.

START.--The ball is put in play at the beginning of the game, and always thereafter, when necessary, by the Emperor. He must naturally be perfectly impartial, and may toss the ball to either side, in turn, or use his judgment in choosing which side shall have it. He will, of course, do his best to catch the ball for either side that throws it to him. The ball is put newly in play after every point scored, after every foul, and after going afield.

RULES.--No baseman may step outside of his base even with one foot. A ball caught by the captain with one foot out of his base does not score, nor if so caught by a baseman does it count in completing the round of the circle; but this does not count as a foul, and a captain so catching a ball may toss it to one of his team. No mass play is permissible among the guards, each one being obliged to guard only the baseman to whom he is assigned. This does not apply to the two fielders, who may move anywhere on the field, and who pick up balls that go out of the large circles.

FOULS.--It is a foul (1) to hit, bat, or snatch a ball from an opponent; (2) to hand a ball instead of throwing it; (3) to hold a ball longer than time enough to turn around quickly, or three seconds; (4) for a guard to step inside a base. Each foul scores one point for the opponents, and the ball is then put newly in play by the Emperor.

SCORE.--A team scores one point when a ball has successfully completed the round of its circle of basemen, but is intercepted in a throw from that to the captain; a team scores two points when its ball has completed the round of the circle of basemen and been caught by its captain in the center, but fails to reach the Emperor; a team scores five points when its ball has completed the full play of the circle, its captain, and the Emperor. A team scores one point for every foul made by the opponents. The ball is put newly in play by the Emperor after every point scored.

The game is played in time limits of fifteen-minute halves, with a rest of five or ten minutes between the halves. The team wins which has the highest score.

The teams change sides and places for the second half, guards becoming basemen, and _vice versa_.

PROGRESSIVE CAPTAIN BALL

(Captain Ball--V)

_20 to 60 players._

_Playground; gymnasium._

_Basket ball._

This game differs from any other form of Captain Ball in the fact that the players progress after each score from base to base. Each player thus completes the round of outer bases in his own field, then becomes captain for his team, then a fielder, and then starts on the round as guard for each base, in turn, in the opposite field. The use of progression in this game was originated by Miss Cora B. Clark of New York. It is obviously best adapted to older players,--of high school age,--but once understood, the progression is simple and well within the ability of younger players.

This form of the game as to grounds and rules may be played without the progression if desired.

GROUND.--The ground is divided into two equal parts, with a line through the center. In the center of each of the two fields a circle is drawn for the captain's base, four feet in diameter. At equal distances around this a series of small circles for bases is drawn, the series outlining the arc of a large circle open to the center or dividing line. The small bases (circles) should be each three feet in diameter. Their number will depend upon the number of players, but they should not be closer than six feet to each other and ten feet from the center base.

Each base in the accompanying diagram is lettered to make clearer the order of progression, but when this order is once understood, it is not necessary to number the bases on the ground.

TEAMS.--The players are divided into two even teams, each consisting of a captain, two fielders, and a number of basemen, one for each of the small outer circles or bases. In addition, there should be a guard for each baseman and one for the captain.

The players are disposed as follows: The captain stands in the center base, with a guard outside the base. Each of the basemen stands in one of the smaller outer bases, with a guard outside his base. The fielders, at the opening of the game, face each other at the center of the dividing line.

OBJECTS OF THE GAME.--The objects of the game are (1) to send the ball in a complete circuit of the outer bases; and (2) to throw the ball from a baseman to the captain on his side of the field.

START.--The game is started by the referee throwing the ball up between the fielders, who jump for it and try to bat it toward their own captain and basemen. Whenever a score is made, the ball is put in play again as at first.

RULES.--The captain may not step outside his base. A ball caught in this way does not score, but the misstep is not a foul unless with both feet. The outer basemen may put one foot outside their bases when trying to catch the ball. A guard must stay within three feet of the base he guards, and may not step within it. Guards, of course, try to prevent the basemen from getting the ball or to prevent its being thrown to the captain, and to intercept it as it makes the round of the circle. They also try to get the ball to throw to the basemen on their own side. The fielders, aside from jumping for the ball when it is put into play, may move anywhere in the field. Their chief office is to get the balls which go out of bounds, no one else being allowed to do this. Fielders may play the ball if it comes their way, but they must not interfere with guards. A ball thrown from a guard or fielder does not score.

PROGRESSION.--The distinctive feature of this game is the method of progression. To make this plainer, the players in the diagram are designated by numbers as well as by teams. Thus, "_X_" indicates all players on one team, and "_O_" all players on the other team, each player carrying a number, _X-1_, _X-2_, _X-3_, etc. The method of progression is as follows:--

After the ball has scored a point, the two fielders, _X-13_ and _O-13_, move to base _A_. _O-13_, as he is now crossing to his home side of the field, goes inside of base _A_ as baseman, and _X-13_ becomes his guard; the other two fielders, _X-14_ and _O-14_, go to base _F_, the home man, _X-14_, going inside the base, and _O-14_ becoming his guard. It will thus be seen that the two fielders bearing the lower number (_13_) go to the first base, _A_, and those bearing the higher number (_14_) go to the base bearing the highest letter, _F_. At the same time that the fielders make this change, each baseman and his attendant guard move one base farther up; that is, baseman _O-1_ and guard _X-7_ move from base _A_ to base _B_; baseman _O-2_ and his guard _X-8_ move from base _B_ to base _C_; and so on. The last baseman on this side, _O-5_, and his guard, _X-11_, move to the center or captain's base, the previous captain and his guard taking the place of the fielders who stood nearest base _E_. On the other side of the field the progression is made in the same way, so that the order of progression is always from bases _A_, _B_, _C_, _D_, and _E_ to the captain's base, and from the captain's base to fielders. When a player has made the complete circuit of one side, he progresses from fielder's position to the opposite side; that is, after the players who started in base _A_ (basemen _O-1_ and guard _X-7_) become fielders, they progress by going to base _F_, instead of back to base _A_. This change comes easily if the captain from the base occupied at first by _X-6_ always takes his place as fielder nearest base _A_; the fielders nearest _A_ always going to _A_, and the other fielders to _F_.

FOULS.--(1) Touching the ball when it is in another player's hands; (2) walking or running with the ball; (3) stepping out of his base by the captain to catch the ball; (4) stepping out of the bases with both feet by the basemen; (5) moving by a guard more than three feet from the base he guards; (6) stepping over the center line into the opponents' territory; (7) two fielders from the same side going after the ball at once when it goes out of bounds.

PENALTY FOR FOULS.--No score is made on fouls, the penalty being the loss of the ball to the opposite side. The ball under these circumstances goes to the player on the other side, who stands in a corresponding position to the one who made the foul.

SCORE.--A ball thrown from a baseman to his captain scores one point. A ball completing a circuit of the outer basemen scores two points. The side wins which has the highest score when time is called. The game may be played in from thirty to sixty minutes' time.

SCHOOLROOM CAPTAIN BALL

_10 to 60 players._

_Gas ball._

The class is divided into two teams, with a center captain and five bases on each side. The remaining players of each company serve as guards, and are placed on the opposite side from their captains and bases to prevent opponents from catching the ball.

The teacher or umpire tosses the ball alternately to the guards, the first time to team one, the second time to team two.

The guards, in turn, toss it to their bases, who try to get it to their captains, the opposite guards opposing by guarding with the arms and jumping to catch the ball. The game continues until one captain catches the ball from a _straight throw_ (not a bound) from a base (not a guard). The side catching the ball scores a point, and the umpire then tosses the ball to the guards of the opposite team, etc.

The game is played in time limits, the side having the highest score at the end of ten or fifteen minutes winning the game.

Fouls are--Holding the ball longer than five seconds. Snatching the ball. Knocking the ball out of an opponent's hand.

In case of a foul the ball is given to the opposite team.

Any number may play the game, provided the sides are even.