The class is divided into two teams, with a center captain and five bases on each side. The remaining players of each company serve as guards, and are placed on the opposite side from their captains and bases to prevent opponents from catching the ball.
The teacher or umpire tosses the ball alternately to the guards, the first time to team one, the second time to team two.
The guards, in turn, toss it to their bases, who try to get it to their captains, the opposite guards opposing by guarding with the arms and jumping to catch the ball. The game continues until one captain catches the ball from a straight throw (not a bound) from a base (not a guard). The side catching the ball scores a point, and the umpire then tosses the ball to the guards of the opposite team, etc.
The game is played in time limits, the side having the highest score at the end of ten or fifteen minutes winning the game.
Fouls are—Holding the ball longer than five seconds.
Snatching the ball.
Knocking the ball out of an opponent's hand.
In case of a foul the ball is given to the opposite team.
Any number may play the game, provided the sides are even.
This schoolroom adaptation of Captain Ball was made by Miss Mabel L. Pray of Toledo, Ohio, and was submitted in a competition for schoolroom games conducted by the Girls' Branch of the Public Schools Athletic League of New York City in 1906. This game was one that received honorable mention, and is here published by the kind permission of the author, and of the Girls' Branch and of Messrs. A. G. Spalding & Brothers, who publish the handbook in which the game first appeared.
CENTER BASE
10 to 30 or more players.