Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium Part 61

b.a.l.l.s AND BEAN BAGS

[Ill.u.s.tration: b.a.l.l.s

1. Medicine ball 2. Basket ball 3. Volley ball 4. a.s.sociation and Soccer football (round) 5. Intercollegiate and Rugby football (prolate spheroid) 6. Gas ball 7. Playground ball 8. Baseball (outdoor) 9. Tennis ball 10. Handball 11. Handball (official American, leather covered) 12. Golf ball ]

b.a.l.l.s AND BEAN BAGS

SPECIFICATIONS FOR b.a.l.l.s, BEAN BAGS, MARKING GROUNDS, ETC.

BALLOONS.--Gas balloons have been found very useful for quite a large cla.s.s of games, and are specially suitable for use in the schoolroom or parlor, though they may also be used out of doors. The balloons are the regular toy balloons used by children, and are preferably ten or twelve inches in diameter when inflated, though smaller ones may be used. In games where two balloons are used it is desirable that they be of different colors, to distinguish which belongs to each team.

When the gas in a balloon is exhausted, if it be not convenient to refill the rubber bag with gas, it may be filled with the breath, and will be found still to float sufficiently in the air for purposes of the game, though of course the gas-filled balloons with their tendency to rise are superior.

BASEBALL (See also _Indoor Baseball_).--Baseb.a.l.l.s are hard and preferably leather covered. The required ball for the National a.s.sociation of Baseball Leagues is not less than 5 nor more than 5-1/4 ounces in weight, and measures not less than 9 nor more than 9-1/4 inches in circ.u.mference. A slightly smaller ball is used in junior play; that is, for boys under sixteen. The best construction of baseb.a.l.l.s is that in which there is a rubber center wound with woolen yarn, the outside covering being of white horsehide. Good b.a.l.l.s cost from fifty cents to $1.50 each, but baseb.a.l.l.s may be had at five cents each.

BASKET BALL.--Basket b.a.l.l.s are comparatively large, round, "laced"

b.a.l.l.s; that is, they consist of a rubber bladder inserted in a leather case; the bladder is inflated by means of a hand or foot pump; after it is placed inside of the leather cover the opening in the cover is laced together. The official ball prescribed by the Amateur Athletic Union and the Young Men's Christian a.s.sociation Athletic League of North America calls for one that measures, when inflated, not less than 30 nor more than 32 inches in circ.u.mference; the limit of variableness to be not more than 1/4 inch in three diameters; the weight to be not less than 18 nor more than 20 ounces; the ball when ready for use to be tightly inflated and so laced that it cannot be held by the lacing. The best basket b.a.l.l.s cost about $6 each.

BEAN BAGS (See also _Oat Sacks_).--Bean bags are especially useful for tossing games with little children and for use in the schoolroom, where a ball is not easily recovered if dropped; but many bean-bag games are of great interest even to adult players and are suitable for almost any conditions,--playground, parlor, or gymnasium. Bean bags should be made of heavy, closely woven material, such as ticking, awning, duck, or denim, and should be from 6 to 12 inches square when finished. They are st.i.tched around the outer edge (except for a small length through which the beans are inserted). The bag should then be turned and st.i.tched a second time. Hand sewing is preferable, as often better able to withstand the strain put upon it. The bag is filled with dried beans or peas. A bag 6 inches square should contain 1/2 pound of these. A larger bag may contain a few more, but the half-pound weight is good for any sized bag. For little children a 6 or 8 inch bag is very good. It is desirable to have an equipment of bags made of two different colors, half of the bags, for instance, being red and the other half blue; or some of striped material and others of plain. This aids in distinguis.h.i.+ng the bags that belong to opposing teams or groups of players. It is easy to improvise a subst.i.tute for bean bags under almost any conditions. The writer has known some very good subst.i.tutes to be made by placing dried leaves in a square of cloth, gathering up the corners and tying them with a string. Bean bags 7 inches square may be purchased for about $2 per dozen.

For adults, especially for men, the oat sacks make a very interesting implement for play, the weight making them a good subst.i.tute for medicine b.a.l.l.s. (See _Oat Sacks_.)

CRICKET BALL.--This is the same as a hockey ball, but red instead of white. The official specifications (Marylebone Club) are identical with those of the American baseball, except for 1/2 ounce heavier weight. They call for a ball weighing not less than 5-1/2 ounces, nor more than 5-3/4, with circ.u.mference not less than 9 inches nor more than 9-1/4. The construction and appearance differ from baseb.a.l.l.s, the cricket b.a.l.l.s being of heavy rubber, usually, but not invariably, covered with leather, which is sometimes enameled. The leather is put on in even hemispheres instead of in shaped pieces, as for a baseball.

Cost, $1.50 to $2 each.

FOOTBALL.--Official footb.a.l.l.s are "laced" b.a.l.l.s; that is, they consist of a rubber bladder, which is inflated and inserted in a leather casing which is then laced firmly to close the opening. Two shapes of b.a.l.l.s--round, and so-called "oval"--are official for different organizations. The round ball is prescribed for the "a.s.sociation"

games (American Football a.s.sociation) and for Soccer, the circ.u.mference of the ball to be not less than 27 inches, nor more than 28. The prolate spheroid ("oval") ball is prescribed by the Intercollegiate and Rugby a.s.sociations of America, diameters about 9-1/4 6-1/4 in. The cost of best quality b.a.l.l.s of both shapes is $5, and from that down to $1. Cheaper b.a.l.l.s may be had (to subst.i.tute for any laced leather b.a.l.l.s) made of sealed rubber, or to be inflated like a water polo ball, some incased in duck, others without casing.

GAS BALL.--A gas ball is a sealed rubber ball filled with gas and very light in weight, generally used by little children. These are extremely useful for the schoolroom, where it is desirable to avoid damage from the hitting of objects by a hard ball, and where it facilitates play to keep the ball in the air, as it is difficult to locate b.a.l.l.s that roll on the floor. Gas b.a.l.l.s measure from 4 to 6 inches in diameter, and cost from ten to forty cents each.

GOLF BALL.--Golf b.a.l.l.s are made of gutta percha, painted white. The interior construction varies. The surface is made uneven with lines, dots, or dimples, to give greater buoyancy to the strokes. Size, about 1-5/8 inches in diameter. Cost, from $2 to $9 per dozen.

HANDBALL.--The term "handball" is generally used to designate any ball that can be caught easily in one hand, as distinguished from larger b.a.l.l.s, such as basket, foot, and volley b.a.l.l.s. Technically, the term "handball" applies to the b.a.l.l.s used in the game of Handball.

In selecting a ball for general games, including Handball Drills as herein given, it is desirable to have one slightly larger than for the official game and to get one with considerable resiliency; that is, a ball that will rebound from a hard floor to a height of about 3 feet when dropped from a height of about 6 feet. A good ball for this purpose will measure about 2-1/4 inches in diameter and weigh 2-1/2 ounces. They are of hollow rubber, sealed. Such b.a.l.l.s will cost about $5 per dozen. For children's play of course cheaper b.a.l.l.s can be had.

_Official Handb.a.l.l.s_ used for the game of Handball differ somewhat in America and Ireland, where this is the national game. The American b.a.l.l.s are made both of rubber and leather. The specifications for the b.a.l.l.s of the Amateur Athletic Union of America call for a ball measuring 1-7/8 inches in diameter, with a weight of 1-5/8 ounces.

The Irish official handball is smaller and heavier than that of America and is generally made of rubber. The official ball called for by the Gaelic Athletic a.s.sociation of Ireland is hard, covered with sheepskin or any other leather, and is not less than 1-1/2 ounces nor more than 1-3/4 ounces in weight. Handb.a.l.l.s suitable for the game of that name may be had of leather and rubber, ranging in price from twenty-five cents to $1 each.

HOCKEY BALL.--_Field Hockey_ is played with the same kind of ball as Cricket, but white instead of red. This is usually but not invariably covered with white leather, the latter sometimes enameled, put on in even hemispheres instead of in shaped pieces like the covering of a baseball. The dimensions are the same as for a baseball but the weight usually about 1/2 ounce greater. Field Hockey b.a.l.l.s measure 9 inches in circ.u.mference and weigh 5-1/2 ounces. The official rules of the American Field Hockey a.s.sociation specify merely "an ordinary cricket ball painted white." Hockey b.a.l.l.s cost from $1 to $2.75 each; practice b.a.l.l.s of solid rubber, fifty cents.

_Ice Hockey_ is played with a "puck," solidly cylindrical in shape and smaller than the ring for Ring Hockey. The official specifications for the American Amateur Hockey League require a puck of vulcanized rubber one inch thick throughout, 3 inches in diameter, weight not less than 7-6/16 ounces nor more than 7-9/16 ounces. These cost fifty cents; practice pucks, twenty-five cents.

_Ring Hockey_ or _Indoor Hockey_ is played indoors with a ring of flexible rubber, 5 inches in diameter, with a 3-inch hole through the center. The official rules specify a weight of not less than 12 ounces nor more than 16 ounces. Rings cost from $1 to $1.25 each.

INDOOR BASEBALL.--Indoor baseb.a.l.l.s are specially constructed for indoor play, being much larger and more elastic than those for outdoor play. This ball is generally composed of a core of packed leather strips, around which is placed curled horsehair tied on with string.

The cover is of leather, preferably horsehide, somewhat softer in quality than that used on the outdoor baseball. The dimensions of the ball vary from 15 to 17 inches in circ.u.mference, or about 5 inches in diameter. The weight is from 8 to 8-3/4 ounces. The official ball specified by the National Indoor Baseball a.s.sociation of the United States is not less than 16-3/4 nor more than 17-1/4 inches in circ.u.mference; made of yielding substance; not less than 8 nor more than 8-3/4 ounces in weight; and is required to be covered with white skin. The color of the ball naturally a.s.sists in indoor play where lights vary. Most of these b.a.l.l.s have red st.i.tching on the seams, which makes them even plainer to be seen. Good b.a.l.l.s cost from eighty cents to $1.25 each.

LA CROSSE BALL.--The official ball for the game of La Crosse is made of sponge rubber, sometimes leather covered (white). It is very slightly smaller in size than a baseball, and about the same weight.

The Intercollegiate La Crosse a.s.sociation of the United States specifies a ball weighing about 5-3/4 ounces, with circ.u.mference of 8 inches. The National Amateur La Crosse Union of Canada specifies a weight of from 4-1/2 to 5 ounces, and circ.u.mference of not less than 7-3/4 nor more than 8 inches. The best b.a.l.l.s cost sixty-five cents each.

MEDICINE BALL.--Medicine b.a.l.l.s are leather covered and of greater weight than any others used in the gymnasium. These b.a.l.l.s were devised to give exercise of a vigorous character, particularly for the abdominal and other trunk muscles, and afford some of the most hygienic exercise to be had in the gymnasium. Medicine b.a.l.l.s vary considerably in size and weight. The usual b.a.l.l.s measure from 10 to 16 inches in diameter, and weigh from 4 to 12 pounds. They cost from $4.50 to $15, those with laced leather covers being more expensive than those with sewn covers.

OAT SACKS.--Oat sacks as here described were devised by Dr. R. A.

Clark and Mr. A. M. Chesley, to be used in place of medicine b.a.l.l.s for adult players. In addition they may be used for many bean-bag games.

Oat sacks are made of heavy (10 oz.) duck. They are circular in shape, 14 inches in diameter when finished. Two circles of this size are st.i.tched around the edge, except for an opening where the oats are inserted. The bag is then turned and st.i.tched a second time. They are then filled with four pounds of oats each.

PLAYGROUND BALL.--For the game of Playground Ball there is used a ball that in size is between a baseball and indoor baseball. Usually b.a.l.l.s of from 12 to 14 inches in circ.u.mference (of this type of construction) are called playground b.a.l.l.s, and those from 15 to 17 inches, indoor baseb.a.l.l.s. Because of their size, these b.a.l.l.s cannot be batted as far as the usual baseball, and this and their softer texture make them especially useful for limited areas. This same type of soft ball may be had in the smaller size of the regulation baseball. The construction is the same as for indoor baseb.a.l.l.s--a wound ball covered with soft white leather, the whole being firm, but more elastic and yielding than a baseball.

The National Amateur Playground Ball a.s.sociation of the United States specifies a ball not less than 12 inches nor more than 14 inches in circ.u.mference, not less than 8 ounces nor more than 8-3/4 ounces in weight, made of yielding substance covered with a white skin.

Good playground b.a.l.l.s of any of the sizes here mentioned cost $1 each.

POLO b.a.l.l.s.--_Polo_ or _Roller Polo_ (on roller skates) is played with a very hard rubber-covered ball, painted bright red and about the size of a baseball--9 inches in circ.u.mference. Cost, from ten cents to $1 each.

_Equestrian Polo_ is played with a wooden ball, usually of willow, having no other covering than white paint. The Polo a.s.sociation of America specifies such a ball 3-1/8 inches in diameter and not to exceed 5 ounces in weight. The English rules (Hurlingham) call for a slightly larger and heavier ball, 3-1/4 inches in diameter and 5-1/2 ounces in weight--material not specified. Willow b.a.l.l.s cost $2 per dozen; others, $1.25 per dozen.

_Water Polo_ is played with a ball of white rubber, inflated through a key afterward used to screw shut the opening. The official American rules for Water Polo call for a white rubber ball of not less than 7 nor more than 8 inches in diameter. Cost, $2 each.

PUSHBALL.--The game of Pushball is played with the largest ball ever constructed for any game. The ball measures 6 feet in diameter, and consists of an inflated rubber bladder inserted in a leather cover.

Cost, $200 each.

RUGBY BALL.--See _Football_.

SOCCER BALL.--See _Football_.

SQUASH BALL.--For the game of Squash, a hollow rubber ball is used similar to a tennis ball, and about the same size. It measures 8 inches in circ.u.mference, and is covered with felt, black, red, or white; some have an overspun cover knitted on the ball in green or white. Cost, $6 per dozen. Enameled rubber squash b.a.l.l.s in black or gray may be had at twenty cents each.

TENNIS BALL.--Tennis b.a.l.l.s are of rubber, hollow, and are covered with white felt. The official specifications call for a ball measuring not less than 2-1/2 nor more than 2-9/16 inches in diameter, of weight not less than 1-15/16 nor more than 2 ounces. Tennis b.a.l.l.s cost about $4 per dozen.

VOLLEY BALL.--Volley b.a.l.l.s are quite similar to basket b.a.l.l.s, but slightly smaller and lighter. They are suitable for games in which the ball is batted with the open hand or fist and where it is to be kept continuously in the air, such as the game of Volley Ball. The ball consists of a rubber bladder inclosed in a laced leather cover of white. The official specifications call for a ball not less than 25 nor more than 27 inches in circ.u.mference, of weight not less than 9 ounces nor more than 12 ounces. Volley b.a.l.l.s cost from $2.50 to $4 each.

MARKING GROUNDS

Where boundary lines are important in a game and need to be seen from a distance, as in many ball games, they should be plainly marked. On a gymnasium floor black paint for permanent diagrams is the best. For out of doors white linen tape may be had, with wooden staples and pins for fastening to the ground, costing from $3.50 to $6 per set for a court the size of a tennis diagram. A liquid mark may be made of whitewash, and a dry mark by mixing two parts of sand with one of whiting. Marble dust or slaked lime also make good dry marks. Roller markers for placing either wet or dry marks in lines of even width may be had at from $1 to $5 each.

BEAN BAG AND OAT SACK GAMES