Claude H. Miller - Outdoor Sports and Games
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Claude H. Miller >> Outdoor Sports and Games
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COUNTING-OUT RHYMES
Almost every section has some favourite counting-out rhyme of its own.
Probably the two most generally used are:
"_My mother told me to take this one_,"
and that old classic--
"_Eeny, meeny, miny, mo._
_Catch a nigger by the toe;_
_If he hollers, let him go._
_Eeny, meeny, miny, mo._"
This is also varied into
"_Ena, mena, mona, mite._
_Pasca, laura, bona, bite._
_Eggs, butter, cheese, bread._
_Stick, stock, stone dead._"
The object of a counting-out rhyme is to determine who is to be "it"
for a game. As each word is pronounced by the counter some one is
pointed at, and at the end of the verse the one last pointed at is
"it."
COURT TENNIS
This game, though very similar to rackets and squash, is more
scientific than either. The court is enclosed by four walls. A net
midway down the court divides the "service" side from the "hazard"
side. The rackets used in court tennis have long handles and a large
face. The balls used are the same size as tennis balls, but are
heavier and stronger. In play, the ball rebounds over the court and
many shots are made against the roof. While somewhat similar to lawn
tennis, the rules of court tennis are extremely complicated. The game
is scored just as in lawn tennis, except that instead of calling the
server's score first the marker always announces the score of the
winner of the last stroke.
CRICKET
A game of ball which is generally played in England and the British
provinces, but which is not very popular in the United States. There
are two opposite sides or sets of players of eleven men each. At two
points 22 yards apart are placed two wickets 27 inches high and
consisting of three sticks called stumps. As in baseball, one side
takes the field and the other side is at the bat. Two men are at bat
at a time and it is their object to prevent the balls from being
bowled so that they will strike the wickets. To do this a broad bat is
used made of willow with a cane handle, through which are inserted
strips of rubber to give greater spring and driving power. The batsman
will either merely stop the ball with his bat or will attempt to drive
it. When the ball is being fielded the two batsmen exchange wickets,
and each exchange is counted as a run, and is marked to the credit of
the batsman or striker. The batsman is allowed to bat until he is out.
This occurs when the ball strikes the wicket and carries away either a
bail, the top piece, or a stump, one of the three sticks. He is also
out if he knocks down any part of his own wicket or allows the ball to
do it while he is running, or if he interferes with the ball by any
part of his person as it is being thrown, or if one of the opposing
players catches a batted ball before it touches the ground, as in
baseball.
When ten of the eleven men on a side have been put out it constitutes
an inning, and the side in the field takes its turn at the bat. The
game usually consists of two innings, and at its completion the side
having scored the greater number of runs is the winner. The eleven
positions on a cricket team are called bowler, wicket-keeper, long
stop, slip, point cover-slip, cover-point, mid-off, long-leg,
square-leg, mid-on. The one at bat is, as in baseball, called the
batsman. The two lines between which the batsmen stand while batting
are called "popping creases" and "bowling creases."
CROQUET
A game played with wooden balls and mallets, on a flat piece of
ground. The game consists in driving the ball around a circuitous
course through various wire rings called "wickets" and, after striking
a wooden peg or post, returning to the starting place. Any number may
play croquet either independently or on sides. Each player may
continue making shots as long as he either goes through a wicket, hits
the peg or post, or hits the ball of an opponent. In this latter case
he may place his ball against that of his opponent and, holding the
former with his foot, drive his opponent's ball as far as possible
from the croquet ground. He then also has another shot at his wicket.
A croquet set consists of mallets, balls, wickets, and stakes and may
be bought for two or three dollars. Experts use mallets with much
shorter handles than those in common sets. They are made of either
maple, dogwood, or persimmon. In place of wooden balls, championship
and expert games are often played with balls made of a patented
composition. All croquet implements are usually painted in bright
colours. The game of "roque" is very similar to croquet.
Croquet can be made more difficult by using narrow arches or wickets.
Hard rubber balls are more satisfactory than wood and also much more
expensive.
As a rule the colours played in order are red, white, blue and black.
According to the rules any kind of a mallet may be used, depending
upon the individual preference of the player.
CURLING
An ancient Scotch game played on the ice, in which the contestants
slide large flat stones, called curling stones, from one point to
another. These points or marks are called "tees." In playing, an
opportunity for skill is shown in knocking an opponent out of the way,
and also in using a broom ahead of the stone as it slides along to
influence its rate of speed.
At the present time the greatest curling country is Canada. Curling is
one of the few outdoor games that are played without a ball of some
kind.
DIXIE'S LAND
This game is also called "Tommy Tiddler's Land." It is a game of tag
in which a certain portion of the playground is marked off as the
"land." The one who is "it" endeavours to catch the others as they
invade his land. When a player is tagged he also becomes "it," and so
on until the game ends because all the invaders are captured. The game
is especially interesting because of the variety of verses and rhymes
used in various parts of the country to taunt the one who is "it" as
they come on his land.
DUCK ON A ROCK
This game is also called "Boulder Up." It is not customary to "count
out" to decide it. For this game usually some one suggests, "Let's
play Duck on a Rock," and then every one scurries around to find an
appropriate stone, or "duck." As fast as they are found the fact is
announced by the cry, "My one duck," "My two duck," etc. The last boy
to find a stone is "drake," or "it."
The drake is larger than the ducks and is placed on an elevated
position such as a boulder. Then from a specified distance ducks
attempt to hit the drake and to knock him from his position. If they
miss they are in danger of being tagged by the drake, as it is his
privilege to tag any player who is not in possession of his duck. If,
however, the drake is knocked from his perch, the ducks have the
privilege of rushing in and recovering their stones, but unless they
do so before the drake replaces his stone on the rock they may be
tagged. The first one tagged becomes "it" and the drake becomes a
duck.
FAT
This is the universal game of marbles. It is sometimes called "Yank,"
or "Knuckle There." A ring is scratched in the ground a foot or two in
diameter. It is then divided into four parts by two lines drawn
through the diameter. The first step is for each player to "lay a
duck," which in simple language means to enter a marble to be played
for. This is his entrance fee and may be either a "dub," an "alley," a
"crystal," or sometimes a "real," although this is very rare as well
as extravagant. About ten feet from this ring a line is made called a
"taw line." The first player, usually determined as soon as school is
out by his having shouted, "First shot, fat!" stands behind the taw
line and shoots to knock out a marble. If he is successful he
continues shooting; if not he loses his turn and Number 2 shoots.
Number 1 after his first shot from the taw line must then shoot from
wherever his marble lies. If Number 2 can hit Number 1 he has a right
to claim all the marbles that Number 1 has knocked out of the ring. In
this way it is very much to the advantage of each player to leave
himself as far from the taw line as possible.
FEATHER RACE
The contestants endeavour to blow a feather over a certain course in
the shortest time. The rule is that the feather must not be touched
with the hands. Out of doors this game is only possible on a very
still day.
FOOT AND A HALF
This is a game of "Leap Frog" also called "Par" or "Paw." One of the
boys is chosen "down," who leans over and gives a "back" to the rest,
who follow leader, usually the boy who suggests the game. He will
start making an easy jump at first and over "down's" back, then
gradually increase the distance of the point at which he lands, and
each of those following must clear this line or become "it"
themselves. The leader must also surpass his previous jumps each time
or he becomes "down" himself. In this way the smaller or less agile
boys have a more equal chance with the stronger ones.
FOOTBALL
The present game of football as played in American schools and
colleges is a development of the English game of Rugby. There are
twenty-two players, eleven on a side or team. The game is played on a
level field, at each end of which are goal posts through which the
team having the ball in its possession attempts to force or "rush" it,
while their opponents by various means, such as tackling, shoving or
blocking, strive to prevent the ball from being successfully forced
behind the goal line or from being kicked over the crossbar between
the goal-posts. A football field is 330 feet long by 160 feet wide. It
is usually marked out with white lines five yards apart, which gives
the field the name of "gridiron." The various positions on a football
team are centre rush, right and left guards, right and left tackles,
right and left ends, quarter-back, right and left half-back, and
full-back. As in baseball, the rules of football are constantly being
changed and the game as played ten or fifteen years ago is very
different from the modern game. The various changes in rules have been
made with a view to making the game less dangerous to the players and
more interesting to the spectator.
The principal scores in football are the "touchdown" and the "field
goal." In a touchdown the ball is carried by one of the players and
touched on the ground behind the opponents' goal line. In a field
goal, or, as it is often called, "a goal from the field," the ball is
kicked over the crossbar between the goal posts. In a field goal the
player executing it must not kick the ball until after it has touched
the ground. Such a kick is called a "drop kick" as distinguished from
a "punt" where the ball is released from the hands and immediately
kicked before touching the ground. A team in possession of the ball is
allowed a certain number of attempts to advance it the required
distance. Each of these attempts is called a "down." If they fail to
gain the necessary distance, the ball goes to their opponents. It is
customary on the last attempt, or down, to kick the ball so that when
the opposing team obtains possession of it it will be as far as
possible from the goal line toward which they are rushing. In this
play a "punt" is allowed. There are also other scores. A safety is
made when a team is forced to touch the ball down behind its own goal
line.
The ball used in American football is a long oval case made of leather
and inflated by means of a rubber bag or envelope. The football
player's uniform consists of a heavily padded pair of trousers made of
canvas, moleskin, khaki or other material, a jacket made of the same
material, a tight-fitting jersey with elbow and shoulder pads, heavy
stockings, and cleated shoes. Players will often use other pads,
braces and guards to protect them from injury. Football is usually
played in the fall months after baseball has been discontinued on
account of the cold weather. A full game consists of four
fifteen-minute periods.
GARDEN HOCKEY
This game is played between two parallel straight lines, 3 feet 6
inches apart and marked on the lawn with two strips of tape. At the
opposite two ends of the tape are two goal posts 14 inches apart with
a crossbar. The length of the tapes should be 36 feet when two or
four players engage in the game, and may be extended for a greater
number. The game is played with balls and hockey sticks. The game is
started by placing the ball in the centre of the field. The two
captains then face each other and at a signal strike off. If the ball
is driven outside the tape boundaries it must be returned to the
centre of the field opposite the place where it crossed the line. The
object of the game is to score a goal through your opponents' goal
posts as in ice hockey. If a player steps over the tape into the
playing space he commits a foul. The penalty for a foul is a free hit
for his opponents.
GOLF
A game played over an extensive piece of ground which is divided into
certain arbitrary divisions called holes. A golf course is usually
undulating with the holes laid out to afford the greatest possible
variety of play. The ordinary course consists of either nine or
eighteen holes from 100 to 500 yards apart. An ideal course is about
6000 yards long. The holes which mark the termination of a playing
section consist of tin cans 4 inches in diameter sunk into and flush
with the level of the surrounding turf, which is called "the putting
green." The game is played with a gutta-percha ball weighing about
1-3/4 ounces and with a set of "clubs" of various odd shapes and for
making shots under various conditions. Usually a boy accompanies each
player to carry his clubs. Such boys are called "caddies." The clubs
are peculiarly named and it is optional with each player to have as
many clubs as he desires. Some of the more common ones are called
"driver," "brassie," "cleek," "iron," "mashie," "niblick," "putter,"
and "lofting iron."
The game, which may be played by either two or four players, consists
in endeavouring to drive the ball over the entire course from hole to
hole in the fewest possible number of strokes. At the start a player
takes his position on what is called the "teeing ground" and drives
the ball in the direction of the first hole, the position of which is
shown in the distance by a flag or tin sign with a number. Before
driving he is privileged to place the ball on a tiny mound of earth or
sand which is called a "tee." The players drive in order and then
continue making shots toward the hole until finally they have all
"holed out" by "putting" their balls into the hole, and the lowest
score wins the hole.
Golf is a game in which form is more essential than physical strength
and which is adapted for elderly people as well as the young. The
wooden clubs are usually made with either dogwood or persimmon heads
and with split hickory handles or shafts. The handles are usually
wound with a leather grip. Golf clubs of good quality will cost from
two to three dollars apiece and a set for most purposes will consist
of four to six clubs. The caddy bag to carry the clubs is made of
canvas or leather and will cost from two dollars up. Standard quality
golf balls will cost about nine dollars a dozen. Almost any
loose-fitting outdoor costume is suitable for playing golf and the
tendency in recent years is to wear long trousers in preference to
what are known as "golf trousers."
A golf course--sometimes called a "links," from a Scotch word meaning
a flat stretch of ground near the seashore--should be kept in good
condition in order to enjoy the game properly. The leading golf clubs
maintain a large force of men who are constantly cutting the grass,
repairing damages to the turf, and rolling the greens. For this reason
it is a game only adapted to club control unless one is very wealthy
and can afford to maintain private links.
GOLF-CROQUET
This game may be played either by two or four persons. Wickets are
placed at irregular distances, and the object of the game is to drive
a wooden ball 2-3/4 inches in diameter through these wickets. It may
be played either as "all strokes," in which the total number of
strokes to get through all the wickets is the final score, or as in
golf, "all wickets," in which the score for each wicket is taken
separately, as each hole in golf is played. The mallet used is
somewhat different from a croquet mallet. The handle is longer and a
bevel is made on one end to raise or "loft" the ball as in golf.
The size of a golf-croquet course will depend upon the field
available. A field 200 yards long will make a good six-wicket course.
HAB-ENIHAN
This game is played with smooth stones about the size of a butter
dish. A target is marked on the sand or on any smooth piece of ground,
or if played on the grass the target must be marked with lime similar
to marks on a tennis court. The outside circle of the target should
be six feet in diameter, and every six inches another circle described
with a piece of string and two pegs for a compass.
The object of the game is to stand at a stated distance from the
"enihan," or target, and to toss the "habs" as in the game of quoits.
The player getting the best score counting from the inside ring or
bull's-eye wins the game.
HALEY OVER
The players, equally divided, take positions on opposite sides of a
building such as a barn, so that they can not be seen by their
opponents. A player on one side then throws the ball over the roof and
one of his opponents attempts to catch it and to rush around the
corner of the building and throw it at one of the opposing side. If he
succeeds, the one hit is a prisoner of war and must go over to the
other side. The game continues until all of one side are captured.
HAND BALL
A game of ancient Irish origin which is much played by baseball
players and other athletes to keep in good condition during the winter
when most outdoor sports are impossible.
A regulation hand ball court has a back wall 30 feet high and 50 feet
wide. Each game consists of twenty-one "aces." The ball is 1-7/8
inches in diameter and weighs 1-5/8 ounces. The ball is served and
returned against the playing wall just as in many of the other indoor
games and is similar in principle to squash and rackets.
HAND POLO
A game played with a tennis ball in which two opposing sides of six
players each endeavour to score goals by striking the ball with the
hands. The ball must be struck with the open hand. In play, the
contestants oppose each other by shouldering and bucking and in this
way the game can be made a dangerous one.
The goal is made into a cage form 3 feet 6 inches square. At the
beginning of the game the ball is placed in the centre of the playing
surface and the players rush for it. The umpire in hand polo is a very
important official and calls all fouls, such as tripping, catching,
holding, kicking, pushing, or throwing an opponent. Three fouls will
count as a goal for the opponents.
HAND TENNIS
A game of lawn tennis in which the hand is used in place of a racket.
A hand tennis court is smaller than a regulation tennis court. Its
dimensions are 40 feet long and 16 feet wide. The net is 2 feet high.
The server is called the "hand in" and his opponent the "hand out." A
player first scoring twenty-five points wins the game. A player can
only score when he is the server.
A foul line is drawn 3 feet on each side of the net, inside of which
play is not allowed. In all essential particulars of the rules the
game is similar to lawn tennis.
HAT BALL
This game is very similar to Roley Boley or Nigger Baby except that
hats are used instead of hollows in the ground. The ball is tossed to
the hats and the first boy to get five stones, or "babies," in his hat
has to crawl through the legs of his opponents and submit to the
punishment of being paddled.
HIGH KICK
A tin pan or wooden disk is suspended from a frame by means of a
string and the contestants in turn kick it as it is drawn higher and
higher until finally, as in high jumping, it reaches a point where
the survivor alone succeeds in touching it with his toe.
HOCKEY
Hockey is usually played on the ice by players on skates, although,
like the old game of shinney, it may be played on any level piece of
ground. The hockey stick is a curved piece of Canadian rock elm with a
flat blade. Instead of a ball the modern game of ice hockey is played
with a rubber disk called a "puck." In hockey, as in many other games,
the whole object is to drive the puck into your opponents' goal and to
prevent them from driving it into yours. Almost any number of boys can
play hockey, but a modern team consists of five players. Hockey skates
are of special construction with long flat blades attached to the
shoes. The standard length of blade is from 14-1/2 to 15-1/2 inches.
They cost from three to six dollars. The hockey player's uniform is a
jersey, either padded trousers or tights, depending upon his position,
and padded shin guards for the goal tenders.
HOP OVER
All but one of the players, form a ring standing about two feet apart.
Then by some "counting out" rhyme some one is made "it." He then
takes his place in the centre of the circle, holding a piece of stout
string on the end of which is tied a small weight or a book. He whirls
the string about and tries to strike the feet or ankles of some one in
the circle, who must hop quickly as the string comes near him. If he
fails to "hop over" he becomes "it."
HOP SCOTCH
Hop scotch is a game that is played by children all over the world. A
court about 20 feet long and 4 or 5 feet wide is drawn with chalk,
coal, or a piece of soft brick on the sidewalk or scratched with a
pointed stick on a piece of level ground. A line called the "taw line"
is drawn a short distance from the court. The court is divided into
various rectangles, usually eleven divisions, although this varies in
different sections. At the end of the court a half circle is drawn,
variously called the "cat's cradle," "pot," or "plum pudding." The
players decide who is to be first, second, etc., and a flat stone or
piece of broken crockery or sometimes a folded piece of tin is placed
in division No. 1. The stone is called "potsherd." The object of the
game is to hop on one foot and to shoot the potsherd in and out of the
court through the various divisions until they are all played. He
then hops and straddles through the court. Whenever he fails to do the
required thing the next player takes his turn.
HUNT THE SHEEP
Two captains are chosen and the players divided into equal sides. One
side stays in the home goal and the other side finds a hiding place.
The captain of the side that is hidden or "out" then goes back to the
other side and they march in a straight line to find the hidden sheep.
When they approach the hiding place their own captain shouts, "Apple!"
which is a warning that danger is near. When he is sure of their
capture or discovery he shouts, "Run, sheep, run!" and all the party
make a dash for the goal.
INTERCOLLEGIATE AMATEUR ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
This association controls the field athletic contests between the
colleges known as the "Intercollegiates."
It is generally known as the I.C.A.A.A.A. To win a point for one's
college in this contest is the highest honour that a track athlete may
obtain. In these games, which take place annually, the following
thirteen events are contested for:
Mile run
Shotput
440-yard run
120-yard hurdles
100-yard dash
Running high jump
Two-mile run
880-yard run
220-yard low hurdles
Pole vault
Broad jump
220-yard dash
Hammer throw
I SPY
This game is sometimes called "Hide and Seek," One of the players is
made "it" by any of the familiar counting-out rhymes. The rest then
secure a hiding place while he counts fifty or one hundred. A certain
tree or fence corner is considered "home." "It" then attempts to spy
his hidden playmates in their hiding places and to run "home"
shouting, "I spy" and their names. If the one discovered can get home
before "it," he does so, shouting, "In free!" with all the breath that
is left in him. The game is especially interesting just at dusk, when
the uncertain light makes the "outs" brave in approaching home without
detection. If "it" succeeds in capturing all the players the first
one caught is "it" for the next game.
JACK FAGOTS
This game is the same in principle as Jackstraws except that fagots or
sticks of wood two feet long are used in place of jackstraws. They are
removed from a pile with a crooked stick and must be taken out one at
a time without disturbing the rest. The number of sticks removed
constitutes a player's score. When any stick other than the one he is
trying for is moved he loses his turn. The next player must attempt to
remove the same stick that the other failed on. The game is won by the
player having the greatest number of sticks to his credit.
JAPANESE FAN BALL
This game is especially adapted for a lawn party for girls. Either
Japanese fans or the ordinary palm-leaf fans will do for rackets. The
balls are made of paper and should be six or eight inches in diameter
and in various colours. At opposite ends of a space about the size of
a tennis court are erected goal-posts similar to those used in
football, but only six feet above ground. These may be made of light
strips of wood. There is also a similar pair of posts and a crossbar
midway between the goals.
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