Playground; gymnasium.
Soft hand ball.
The players scatter over the playground, trying to get as far away as possible from the one who has the ball. He throws it at one of the players, trying to hit him with it, at the same time calling "Crackabout!" All of the players make a rush for the ball, the one who succeeds in getting it being the next thrower. The other players scatter immediately that one has secured it, the ball man at once throwing at some other player, naturally trying to hit the nearest. As soon as the players hear his call of "Crackabout!" they rush together again in the direction of the ball to try and secure it, and so on indefinitely. The game is thus a rapid succession of running away from the ball man and scrimmages to secure the ball. It is one of the strenuous and popular games enjoyed by boys of almost any age, and affords some lively exercise and sport in a few minutes.
CURTAIN BALL
10 to 100 players.
Gymnasium; playground.
Basket ball; volley ball.
This is one of the most interesting ball games and is adaptable to many conditions. For instance, where a curtain cannot be conveniently hung, the game may be played over a high fence or hedge.
The game consists in throwing a ball backward and forward over a curtain which conceals the opposing players from each other. As the ball should not be allowed to touch the ground, scoring for the opponents whenever it does so, the players have to be very alert, and there is opportunity for much sport in the game. For a very large number of players, more than one ball may be used.
GROUND.—No outside boundaries are necessary for this game. The ground should be divided into two approximately equal parts by an opaque curtain eight feet in height, strung on a rope or wire carried across from side supports. This should touch the ground, so that there is no means of seeing the position of the opposing players on the other side. As stated above, the game may be played across a high fence or hedge instead of over a curtain.