Every Boy's Book: A Complete Encyclopaedia of Sports and Amusements Part 129

The goals consist of flag-poles, with flags, the poles standing six feet above the ground, and six feet apart generally, but the distance is optional on mutual agreement by the captains of the contesting sides. In front of each goal, and distant six feet therefrom, is drawn a line, called the "goal crease," and within this line the players of the opposite side to that the goal belongs to are prohibited from standing, unless the ball is near the flags. The position of the umpires is behind the above goal flags. The goal-keeper, while defending the goal, may stop the ball in any manner he chooses.

The game consists of each party striving, by means of the crosse, or netted bat each player uses, to send the ball to the goal of their adversaries; and in doing this the ball must not be handled, or even touched by the hand, except it falls into a hole, in which case the man handling it must bat it direct to the nearest opponent; and except by the goal-keeper while defending his goal.

But the appended rules describe all further laws of the game.

It was not until 1867 that a regular code of rules was adopted for the government of all regular La Crosse clubs. These laws were enacted at the Convention of La Crosse Clubs, September 26, 1867, and are now the rules of play for Canada.

A Canadian writer on the game says:--"Although our early days were devoted to cricket, we must confess to a decided preference for our own game, with its athletic struggles. There is nothing like La Crosse. No other game throws such a fascination over the spectator, who seems riveted to the spot in admiration of the das.h.i.+ng and skilful play of the champion twelve. For beauty and variety, skilful play and sober excitement, it has no equal."

Any information required about the game by those desirous of forming clubs, will be furnished by addressing the Secretary of the Montreal La Crosse Club, Montreal, Canada.

The following are the recognised code of rules governing La Crosse in the Canadas, where it has been adopted as the "National game" of the new dominion:--

LAWS OF LA CROSSE.

THE CROSSE.

RULE 1.--The "crosse" may be of any size to suit the player, but the network must not be bagged: it must be flat when the ball is not on it.

A leading or outside string, above the level of the others, may be used.

It may rest on the top of the stick, but must not have anything under to increase its height.

THE BALL.

RULE 2.--The ball shall be india-rubber sponge, not less than eight, and not more than nine, inches in circ.u.mference. In matches it shall be furnished by the challenged party.

THE GOALS.

RULE 3.--The goals may be placed at any distance from each other, and in any position agreeable to the captains of both sides. The top of the flag-pole shall be six feet above the ground, including any top ornament, and six feet apart, and in a match may be furnished by either party.

THE GOAL CREASE.

RULE 4.--There shall be a line or crease, to be called the goal-crease, drawn in front of each goal, at a distance of six feet from the flags, within which no opponent shall stand, unless the ball is actually near or nearing the flags.

SPECTATORS.

RULE 5.--Spectators must stand at least twenty feet from the goals.

UMPIRES.

RULE 6.--There shall be two umpires at each goal, one for each side.

Unless otherwise agreed upon by the captains, they shall not be members of either club engaged in a match, nor can they be changed during a match, except for reasons of illness or injury. They must be thoroughly acquainted with the game, and in every way competent to act. Before a match begins, they shall see that all the regulations respecting the crosse, ball, goal, goal-crease, &c. are strictly complied with, and in deciding whether or not a crosse is bagged they shall take the opinion of the captains and the referee. During the game they shall stand behind the flags, and shall have power to decide all disputes, subject to Rule 7, and suspend from play any player infringing these laws. No umpire shall, either directly or indirectly, be interested in any bet upon the result of the match. No person shall speak to the umpires, or distract their attention when the ball is near or nearing their goal.

REFEREE.

RULE 7.--The umpires shall select a referee, to whom all disputed games whereon they are a tie may be left for decision. He shall take the evidence of the players particularly interested, the respective opinions of the different umpires, and, if necessary, the opinions and offers of the captains, in cases where the discontinuance of the game is threatened. His decision shall in all cases be final.

CAPTAINS.

RULE 8.--Field captains, to superintend the play, may be appointed by each side previous to a match, who shall toss up for choice of goal, and select umpires. They shall report any infringement of the laws to the umpires. They shall be members of the club by whom they are appointed, and may or may not be players in a match; and if not, they shall not carry crosses.

DESIGNATION OF PLAYERS.

RULE 9.--The players of each side shall be designated as follows:--

1. Goal-keeper, who defends the goal.

2. Point, who is first man out from goal.

3. Cover-point, who is in front of point.

4. Centre, who "faces" in the centre of the field.

5. Home, who is nearest the opponent's goal.

The remaining players shall be termed "fielders."

NUMBER OF PLAYERS.

RULE 10.--Twelve players on a side shall const.i.tute a full field, and they must have been regular members of the club they represent, and of no other club, for thirty days prior to a match.

CHANGE OF PLAYERS.

RULE 11.--No change of players shall be made after a match has been commenced, except for reasons of accident or injury during the match.

When a match has been agreed upon, and one side is deficient in the number of players, their opponents may either limit their own players'

numbers to equal them, or compel them to fill up the complement.

SPIKED SOLES.

RULE 12.--The players shall not wear spiked soles to their shoes.

TOUCHING THE BALL WITH THE HAND.

RULE 13.--The ball must not be touched with the hand, save in the cases of Rules 14 and 15.

GOAL-KEEPER.

RULE 14.--The goal-keeper, while defending the goal within the goal-crease, may stop b.a.l.l.s in any manner.