Chapter 32

Whenever a player misses hitting another with the ball, it is called a "spud," and counts one against him. When any player has three spuds against him, he must stand twenty feet from the other players, with his back to them, and they each have one shot at him with the ball. The victim then starts the play again from the center of the ground.

SQUARE BALL

_8 to 32 players._

_Playground; gymnasium._

_Basket ball._

GROUND.--The ground is marked out in one large square with a base at each corner, and, should there be enough players, with bases at intervening points along the line of the square.

PLAYERS.--The players are divided into two equal parties, one of which takes places on the bases at the corners or other points outlining the square; the other party assembles in the center of the square and is on the defensive.

OBJECT.--The ball is thrown from one to another of the party on the bases, always, however, following the lines of the square and not its diagonals. The chief object of the game, however, is for this outer party to interrupt this circuit of the ball by suddenly throwing it so as to hit one of the center players. The object of any center player who is hit is, in his turn, to hit with the ball any member of the outer party, who all turn and flee as soon as a center man is hit.

POINTS OF PLAY.--The ball is started at any point among the outer party or basemen. This party will use considerable finesse in throwing, such as apparent attempts to throw the ball around the square, thus misleading the center players as to their intention and taking them unaware when aiming for the center. The more rapidly the ball is kept in motion the better. The center party, in their turn, will find it advisable to scatter considerably, which will diminish the chances of being hit. They will also avoid proximity to any player in the outer party who happens to have the ball. The center party will thus have to be very alert and keep moving considerably, even when the ball is not directed at them. The ball may be avoided by dodging, jumping, stooping, or any other maneuver except by leaving the square.

Whenever a center player is hit by the ball, the outer party are in danger of being hit in turn, and must all run immediately in any direction to avoid this. A center player who is hit picks up the ball as quickly as he can and calls "Halt!" When this call is heard the fleeing runners must stand still, and the center player, who now holds the ball, tries to hit one of them with it.

SCORE.--The scoring of the game is done entirely according to whether the center player hits or misses his opponent in this throw of the ball after he has called a halt. Every player thus hit scores one for the center party. Every throw made and missed under these circumstances scores one for the opponents or outside party. The party wins which first scores twenty-five.

This game is also played without score, any member of the outer party hit by a center man being obliged to join the center party. In this form the game ends when all of the outer players have been so recruited.

STOOL BALL

_5 to 20 players._

_Playground; gymnasium._

_Hand ball._

A stool, box, or inverted pail is set in an open place, and from ten to twenty feet away from this a throwing line is drawn. One player is appointed stool defender, and stands beside the stool. It is well also to appoint a scorer and linesman, to disqualify any players who cross the throwing line, and one player to stand behind the stool defender and return the balls that may go afield. The players, in turn, throw the ball from the throwing line in an effort to hit the stool. The stool defender tries to prevent this by batting the ball away with his hand. If the ball hits the stool, the one who threw it changes places with the stool defender; if the ball be batted by the defender and caught by another of the players, the one catching it changes places with the stool defender. The object of the stool defender should therefore be not only to hold his place by preventing the ball from hitting the stool, but to bat it in such a way that the other players may not catch it.

This game has been very successfully adapted by adding scoring as a feature of it; in which case any player hitting the stool with the ball, or catching it when it is returned by the stool defender, scores one point, while the stool defender scores one for each time he successfully prevents the ball's hitting the stool. The player wins who has the highest score at the end of the playing time.

This is one of the old games that has come down through centuries. Chronicles of Queen Elizabeth's reign tell of the Earl of Leicester and his train setting forth to play the game, though it is supposed to have originated with the milkmaids and their milking stools. In Sussex the game is played with upright boards instead of a stool, forming a wicket as in Cricket. It was formerly for women and girls as popular as the game of Cricket for boys and men, and the rules of play are quite similar.

STRIDE BALL

(Straddle Club)

_10 to 100 players._

_Playground or gymnasium._

_Any ball; indian club; bean bag._

The players are divided into two or more groups which compete against each other, each having a ball. Each group stands in single file in leapfrog position, feet wide apart to form a tunnel through which the ball is passed. The first players (captains) of each file toe a line drawn across the ground, and at a signal put the ball in play by passing it backward between the feet. When players become expert, one long shot will send the ball to the end of the line. The other players may strike it to help it along as it passes them if it goes slowly. Should the ball stop, or go out of bounds at any place, the player before whom this occurs must put it in play again, starting it between his feet. When the ball reaches the rear of the file, the last player runs with it to the front, the line moving backward quickly one place to make room for him, and immediately rolls the ball back again between the feet. This is repeated until the "captain" is the last player. He runs forward with the ball, places it on a marked spot twenty feet in front of his line, and returns to his place at the head of the file. The file wins whose captain is first to return to his original position.

Should there not be space for a point at which to leave the ball, the game may be finished by the last player holding up the ball when it reaches the end of the line, or by his running forward with it to the head of the line.

An Indian club instead of a ball makes a much more skillful game, the club being shoved over the ground, neck first. It is much more difficult to guide than a ball, requires greater deliberation for a long shot, and more easily stops or goes out of bounds. A basket ball or smaller ball may be used.

This is one of the best games for training self-control under excitement, as the precision needed for a long shot, especially with the Indian club, is very difficult under the circumstances.

TEN TRIPS

_6 to 21 players._

_Playground._

_Baseball; tennis ball._

This game is a competition between two or more teams, and consists in rapid pitching and catching of a base or tennis ball by each team.

A team consists of three players, two of whom stand a long throwing distance apart (thirty yards or more), with the third player (Number One) halfway between and on a line with them. Number One (the pitcher) starts the game on a signal by throwing the ball to one of the end players (Number Two); he throws it over the head of the pitcher to the opposite end player (Number Three), who throws it back again to Number Two, and he makes the last throw, sending it to the center player, or pitcher, Number One, from whom it started. This is called one trip, and the pitcher, as he catches it, calls out "One!" or "One trip!" and immediately begins the next round. The players standing in the following order, 2, 1, 3, the order of the throwing is thus, 1, 2, 3, 2, 1. Ten trips complete a game.

The competing teams stand in line sideways with the first team, and the pitchers of all teams start at once on a signal. The team wins which first completes ten trips. Any number of teams may play at once.

This game is very popular at Williams College, where it probably originated.

TETHER BALL

_2 to 8 players._

_Out of doors._

This is one of the most delightful and vigorous games, especially adapted to small playing space, a plot twenty feet square being enough for it. The paraphernalia for the game consists of a wooden pole placed upright, so that it shall stand ten feet above the ground. The pole must be embedded deeply enough to be perfectly firm during the strain of the play. It will probably need to be about three feet below the surface. A pole should measure seven and a half inches in circumference at the ground, and should taper toward its upper end. A black stripe should be painted around it six feet above the ground.

To the top of this pole a ball is attached by a stout linen cord or fishing line. The ball should be preferably a tennis ball, and should have a netted cover, by means of which it is attached to the cord. No metal should be used around it in any way. The cover may be knotted or crocheted of heavy linen cord or fish line. When hanging at rest, the ball should be seven and a half feet from the top of the pole, and two and a half feet from the ground. The ball is played upon by tennis rackets in the hands of two players.

A tether-ball outfit, consisting of pole, ball, cord, and marking ropes, with staples for the ground as hereinafter specified, may be had for from three to four dollars, the ball alone, with cover and cord, costing about seventy-five cents, and the pole from one dollar to a dollar and a half. It is particularly desirable to have the specially made ball and cord for this game, but any of the paraphernalia may be improvised, the pole being cut from a sapling, and even the bats whittled from strips of thin board about the size of a shingle.

On the ground around the pole a circle should be drawn three feet in radius; that is, six feet in diameter. A straight line twenty feet in length should bisect the circle to separate the territory for the players. In addition to the circle and line, two spots should be marked on the ground, from which the ball is served. These should be at the ends of an imaginary line crossing the first line at right angles, and should be six feet from the pole, one on each side of the ground.

Where there are more than two players, they are divided into two opposing groups, each member of a team or group stepping forward, in turn, to play with the member of the opposite team. Only these two play upon the ball during one game.

The game consists, on the part of one player, in trying to wind the cord with the ball attached around the pole above the line by batting it with his tennis racket. The opponent tries (1) to interfere and reverse the action of the ball by batting it in the opposite direction, and (2) for his part to wind the ball around the pole in his direction.

The players toss rackets or resort to some other method of choosing sides of the ground. The game starts with each player on his service point; the player who lost in the toss for choice of ground has the first service. The player who has the choice of ground has also the choice of direction in which to wind the ball.

The ball is then put in play by the server, who may hit the ball but once. Should he fail to send it across the line with his first serve, he loses his serve and the opposite player has the ball. The players have each one strike at the ball in turn. It is sometimes possible to send the ball so high and with so much force that it will wind around the pole in one stroke, before the opponent can hit it with his racket. Of course such strokes should be the endeavor of both sides.

Should a player fail to hit the ball, the opponent has the next turn, either on service or after the ball is once in play.

Each player must keep entirely on his own side of the dividing line, both with his feet, his arms, and his racket. Neither player may step on or over the circle about the pole. If the string winds around the handle of a racket of one of the players, it is a foul. It is also a foul for the string to wind about the pole below the black mark, and counts against the player in whose direction it is wound; that is, if it winds in the direction in which he is trying to send the ball. Penalty for transgression of any of the above rules (fouls) is allowing the opponent a free hit from his service mark. When a ball is taken for service in this way, if it has to be either wound or unwound on the pole a half turn, so as to reach the other side, it shall be unwound.

The game is won when the string has been entirely wound around the pole above the limit line. When there are but two players, the one wins who has the majority out of eleven games. Where there are more than two players, the team wins which has the greatest number of games to its credit at the end of from two to five rounds, as may be decided at the opening of the series.

THREE HOLES

_2 to 10 or more players._

_Out of doors; seashore._

_Small ball._

This game is played by rolling a ball about the size of a golf ball into holes made in the ground. Three holes are made by spinning on the heel. They should be in a straight line, at a distance of from six to fifteen feet apart. At the same distance from them and at right angles to them, a line is drawn from which the players roll their balls. The first player stands with his heel on the bowling line and rolls his ball into hole number one. If successful, he takes his ball out of the hole, places his heel in the hole, and rolls the ball to hole two. If successful, he repeats this play for hole three, and then turns around and rolls the ball back again into hole two and then into hole one. Having done this, he starts again at the line and rolls the ball successively into each of the three holes until he reaches number three a second time. When this is accomplished, he has won the game.

The probabilities, however, are that the player will not succeed in making the holes so quickly as here described. Whenever a player's ball fails to get into a hole, he leaves it where it lies and gives place to the next player. The next player has the choice of aiming for the hole or for his antagonist's ball, the latter being a desirable play if it lies in a position that makes a shorter roll than to his own. Having hit this ball, he then rolls from that position to the hole. Should he fail to make either his opponent's ball or the hole, his ball must lie where it stopped, and the next player takes a turn. A skillful player will be able to play on his antagonists' balls so as to serve his own in making short rolls between holes. Whether the play be interrupted by failures of different players or not, the player wins who first rolls his ball up the line, down again, and back to the third hole, as first described.

TOSS BALL

_10 to 60 players._

_Schoolroom._

_Gas ball; bean bag._

This game should be played with a light gas ball or a bean bag, which the teacher holds, standing in the front of the room. All of the players are seated. The teacher throws the ball suddenly in any direction at any player, who must stand at once to catch the ball and immediately toss it back to the teacher. A player failing to catch the ball, or catching it without standing, has one point counted against him. Any player having failed in this way three times is out of the game and must take his place at one side of the room set apart for that purpose. As the game progresses, one outside row of seats or the rear row across the room may be reserved for the players out of the game, other rows being added as needed.

This game may also be played with a pupil tossing the ball instead of the teacher. Any player failing to catch the ball, or catching it while seated, changes places with the thrower instead of being out of the game, as when the teacher throws. The thrower stands always in the front of the room. Both methods make a good game.

A large part of the interest of this game lies in the rapidity of the play and the unexpectedness with which the ball is thrown in any given direction.

TREE BALL

_5 to 15 or more players._

_Out of doors._

_Football; hand ball; bean bag._

This game is a form of Ball Tag, and may be played with any light-weight football, or with a bag or sack filled with leaves or grass.

Each of the players but one chooses a tree, as for the games Puss in the Corner or Ball Puss. The object of the game for the odd player is (1) to kick the ball so as to tag one of the tree men with it, and (2) to secure a tree for himself, which he may do when no one else has it. The object of the tree players should be not only to avoid the ball by dodging, which may include running around the trees, but they should also try to exchange places as frequently as possible, their prowess in this way serving as an aggravation to the odd man. The game should be played where there is not much undergrowth, and under such conditions may be very lively and full of sport.

This game may also be played with a hand ball or bean bag. This should be tossed instead of kicked. The game differs from Ball Puss in that the players are tagged by the ball while at their stations instead of while changing.

VOLLEY BALL

(See also _Schoolroom Volley Ball_.)

_2 to 30 players._

_Playground; gymnasium._

_Volley ball._

This game consists in keeping a large ball in motion back and forth across a high net by striking it with the open palm. The ball must not be allowed to touch the floor.

GROUND.--For large teams this game should be played on a ground measuring fifty feet long and twenty-five feet wide. For smaller teams a smaller ground will answer.

A tennis net, or net two feet wide, preferably the latter, is stretched across the center of the ground, from side to side, extending one or two feet beyond the boundaries on either side. The upper edge should be from six feet six inches to seven feet six inches above the ground.

PLAYERS.--Any number of players up to thirty may play. The players are evenly divided into two parties, which scatter over their respective courts without special arrangement. There is a captain for each side. An umpire is desirable.

OBJECT OF THE GAME.--The object of the game for each party is to keep the ball in lively play toward its opponents' court, as each party scores only on its opponents' failures to return the ball or keep it in the air.

The ball is put in play by being served by the party which is to score. The service of the ball, and with it the privilege of scoring, pass to the opponents according to the rules described hereinafter.

START; RULES FOR SERVICE.--The ball is put in play by being served by a member of one side, who should stand at the rear of his court with one foot on the rear boundary line and the other behind the line. From this position the ball is tossed upward lightly from one hand and batted with the palm of the other hand toward or into the opponents' court.

Each server has two trials in which to send the ball into the opponents' court. The service being over a long course with a comparatively heavy ball, the following privileges are allowed: a served ball may be assisted on its course by any two other players on the server's side; no player so assisting the ball on the serve may strike it more than twice in succession, and the server under such circumstances may not strike it more than once; but should the ball then fail to land in the opponents' court, the server loses his second serve.

In serving, the ball must be batted at least ten feet by the server before being touched by any other player on his side.

No "dribbling" is allowed in serving.

A successful server continues serving until his side allows the ball to touch the floor, knocks it out of bounds, or fails to return it to the opponents. A server may also lose as follows:

If a returned ball hits a player on the server's side and bounces into the opponents' court, it is considered in play. If it hits such a player and does not bounce into the opponents' court, the server is out, losing his second trial.

If the ball hits the net during service, it is counted a dead ball and loses the server one of his trials.

If a served ball falls outside the opponents' court, the server loses his turn.

The players on a side take turns in serving.

RULES OF PLAY.--The ball must always be batted with the open palm. The ball should be returned by the opponents before it can strike the ground. Any number of players may strike the ball to send it across the net, but no player may strike more than twice in succession. Having struck the ball twice, a player may resume his play only after some other player has struck it. The ball is thus volleyed back and forth across the net until one side fails to return it or allows it to touch the floor, or until it goes out of bounds. A ball is put out of play by hitting the net in returning after a serve. A ball which bounds back into the court after striking any other object except the floor or ceiling is still in play. It is permissible to strike the ball with both hands at once (open palms).

If a player touches the net at any time, the ball is thereby put out of play. Should this player be on the serving side, his side loses the ball and it goes to the opponents. Should this player be on the receiving side, the serving side scores one point. Should the net be touched simultaneously by opponents, the ball is thereby put out of play and the serving side serves again.

No dribbling is allowed at any time through the game; _i.e._ no keeping the ball in the air by one player hitting it quickly and repeatedly.

In sending the ball across the net, players should aim for an unprotected part of the opponents' court, or try in other ways to place them at a disadvantage.

SCORE.--This is entirely a defensive game, the score being made on opponents' fouls and failures. Aside from fouls, only the serving side scores. A good serve unreturned scores one point for the serving side. A point is similarly scored by the serving side at any time when the opponents fail to return a ball which is in play. Failure of the serving side to return a ball to the opponents' court merely puts them out; that is, the serve passes to the opponents, but no score is made on the failure. Should a player touching the net be on the receiving side, the serving side scores one point. A ball sent under the net is out of play and counts against the side which last struck it, their opponents scoring one point. If the ball strikes any object outside the court and bounds back, although it is still in play, it counts against the side which struck it out, their opponents scoring one point. A ball sent out of bounds by the receiving side in returning a service scores one point for the serving side. One point is scored for the opponents whenever a player catches the ball, or holds it for even an instant. The game consists of twenty-one points.

WALL BALL DRILL

(See also _Hand Ball Drill_.)

_2 to 10 players._

_Out of doors; gymnasium._

_Hand ball._