THE CANADIAN GAME OF LA CROSSE.

The game of La Crosse, now known as the “National game” of the new dominion of Canada, is of Indian origin, and is the oldest and only legitimate American game of ball now in vogue. La Crosse was played among the American Indians before the tread of a “pale face” invaded the “native heath” of the red man, and consequently our British friends cannot claim the credit of even originating the basis of this game, as in base-ball, though La Crosse resembles the Scotch game of Golf.

An attractive feature of La Crosse is that it can be played when base-ball or cricket cannot. No rolling or levelling of grounds are required, and but a merely nominal expense for materiel. The rules of La Crosse are simple enough for a child to comprehend them; but yet it is a game capable of yielding a great degree of exciting sport, both to the young and old as participants, and to both sexes as spectators. Moreover, wherever there is an ordinary field or common, if the grass be not too long, a ground is ready for a match. As regards the physical requisites and advantages, the former are the possession of pedestrian skill and endurance to a more or less degree, with considerable activity of movement, while the latter consist of the benefits the excitement of a contest and the rapid exercise the game yields, agility, speed, and endurance being developed in the process of becoming a skilful player in the game.

La Crosse is played by twelve men on each side. These twelve players occupy the following positions, viz.: goal-keeper, point, cover-point, centre, home, and seven fielders. The goal-keeper’s duty is to defend the goal; point is the player occupying the position out in the field, and nearest the goal-keeper; cover-point fronts the latter’s position; the “centre” is the player who faces the playing party in the centre of the field; home is the position of the player who stands nearest the goal of the opposing twelve; and the fielders skirmish round generally.

Each contesting twelve elect a captain to superintend the game, and they choose umpires and toss for choice of goal.

There are two umpires, and these select a referee, whose decision on disputed points is final.

The “crosse” is a species of battledore, the ball being in the place of the shuttlecock, the difference being, that the portion of the bat formed by network is of a similar form to an English kite (see diagram). The network requires to be strung tightly together, so as not to “bag,” but to be quite level.

The ball is made of soft spongy rubber, not exceeding eight inches in circumference.

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 dashing 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 circumference. 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:—

NUMBER OF PLAYERS.

Rule 10.—Twelve players on a side shall constitute 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 balls in any manner.

BALL TAKEN UP WITH THE HAND.

Rule 15.—Whenever the ball is taken up, or out of a hole, with the hand, during the progress of a game, it must be faced for with the nearest opponent.

ACCIDENTAL GAME.

Rule 16.—Should the ball be accidentally put through a goal by one of the players defending it, it is game for the side attacking that goal. Should it be put through a goal by any one not actually a player, it shall not count for or against either side.

HOLDING, STRIKING, AND PUSHING.

Rule 17.—Players shall not hold each other, nor grasp an opponent’s crosse; neither shall they deliberately strike or trip each other, nor push with the hand.

CHANGING SIDES.

Rule 18.—After each game the players shall change goals, unless otherwise agreed upon.

PENALTIES FOR FOUL PLAY.

Rule 19.—Any player convicted of deliberate foul play, or infringement of these rules, shall be suspended from play by the umpires, at request of his captain.

DECIDING A MATCH.

Rule 20.—A match shall be decided by winning three games out of five, unless otherwise agreed upon.

AMENDING LAWS.

Rule 21.—Any amendment, revision, or alteration, proposed to be made in any part of these laws, shall be made only at the Annual Conventions of “The National La Crosse Association of Canada,” and by a three-fourths’ vote of the members present.

R. CLAY, SON, AND TAYLOR, PRINTERS, BREAD STREET HILL.