Captain Bal

Source: Games For The Playground, Home, School And Gymnasium
Category: BALL GAMES



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.


III]

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.


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