A series of holes is made in the ground sand or snow large enough to contain the ball. These holes are placed in a straight line one beyond the other about three feet apart there being as many holes as there are players. All holes are numbered corresponding to the numbers of the players from one to ten or whatever the maximum may be. About ten feet from the first hole and at right angles to the row a straight line is drawn on the ground behind which the players stand to throw. The first player stands directly in line with the row of holes and throws for one of them. This is a toss of the ball. The ball scores for the player according to the number of the hole in which it falls and this number also designates the next player. For instance if the ball falls in the third hole it scores three for the first player who at once gives place to Number Three who in turn has one throw. Should this ball fall in hole number five it scores five for this player and the fifth player will have the next turn. The game may be played according to score the one first scoring twenty-five or fifty winning or it may be played according to time the one having the highest score at the end of fifteen or twenty minutes being the winner.

This is one of the few games that may be adapted to the snow or to the damp sand of the seashore though it may be played anywhere out of doors where holes can be dug.

A team consists of three players two of whom stand a long throwing distance apart (thirty yards or more) with the third player (Number One) halfway between and on a line with them. Number One (the pitcher) starts the game on a signal by throwing the ball to one of the end players (Number Two) he throws it over the head of the pitcher to the opposite end player (Number Three) who throws it back again to Number Two and he makes the last throw sending it to the center player or pitcher Number One from whom it started. This is called one trip and the pitcher as he catches it calls out “One ” or “One trip ” and immediately begins the next round. The players standing in the following order 2 1 3 the order of the throwing is thus 1 2 3 2 1. Ten trips complete a game.

The competing teams stand in line sideways with the first team and the pitchers of all teams start at once on a signal. The team wins which first completes ten trips. Any number of teams may play at once.

To the top of this pole a ball is attached by a stout linen cord or fishing line. The ball should be preferably a tennis ball and should have a netted cover by means of which it is attached to the cord. No metal should be used around it in any way. The cover may be knotted or crocheted of heavy linen cord or fish line. When hanging at rest the ball should be seven and a half feet from the top of the pole and two and a half feet from the ground. The ball is played upon by tennis rackets in the hands of two players.

It is particularly desirable to have the specially made ball and cord for this game but any of the paraphernalia may be improvised the pole being cut from a sapling and even the bats whittled from strips of thin board about the size of a shingle.

On the ground around the pole a circle should be drawn three feet in radius that is six feet in diameter. A straight line twenty feet in length should bisect the circle to separate the territory for the players. In addition to the circle and line two spots should be marked on the ground from which the ball is served. These should be at the ends of an imaginary line crossing the first line at right angles and should be six feet from the pole one on each side of the ground.

Where there are more than two players they are divided into two opposing groups each member of a team or group stepping forward in turn to play with the member of the opposite team. Only these two play upon the ball during one game.

The game consists on the part of one player in trying to wind the cord with the ball attached around the pole above the line by batting it with his tennis racket. The opponent tries (1) to interfere and reverse the action of the ball by batting it in the opposite direction and (2) for his part to wind the ball around the pole in his direction.

The players toss rackets or resort to some other method of choosing sides of the ground. The game starts with each player on his service point the player who lost in the toss for choice of ground has the first service. The player who has the choice of ground has also the choice of direction in which to wind the ball.

The ball is then put in play by the server who may hit the ball but once. Should he fail to send it across the line with his first serve he loses his serve and the opposite player has the ball. The players have each one strike at the ball in turn. It is sometimes possible to send the ball so high and with so much force that it will wind around the pole in one stroke before the opponent can hit it with his racket. Of course such strokes should be the endeavor of both sides.

Should a player fail to hit the ball the opponent has the next turn either on service or after the ball is once in play.

Each player must keep entirely on his own side of the dividing line both with his feet his arms and his racket. Neither player may step on or over the circle about the pole. If the string winds around the handle of a racket of one of the players it is a foul. It is also a foul for the string to wind about the pole below the black mark and counts against the player in whose direction it is wound that is if it winds in the direction in which he is trying to send the ball. Penalty for transgression of any of the above rules (fouls) is allowing the opponent a free hit from his service mark. When a ball is taken for service in this way if it has to be either wound or unwound on the pole a half turn so as to reach the other side it shall be unwound.

The game is won when the string has been entirely wound around the pole above the limit line. When there are but two players the one wins who has the majority out of eleven games. Where there are more than two players the team wins which has the greatest number of games to its credit at the end of from two to five rounds as may be decided at the opening of the series.

The players stand in two or more files the files containing an equal number of players. The game is a passing relay the files competing against each other. The leaders of each file have two balls bean bags or blackboard erasers. At a signal a ball (or whatever is used) is passed back over the heads of the players until it reaches the last one in the line who keeps it. The leader counts ten after the ball leaves his hands and at once passes back the second ball between his feet the players bending over to pass it along. When this reaches the last player he runs forward with a ball in each hand and takes his place at the head of the line which moves back one place to give him room. At once he passes one ball backward overhead counts ten and passes the other between his feet. This continues until the original leader who has been gradually backing to the rear of the line reaches the front again carrying both balls. The line wins whose leader first accomplishes this.

This game has some admirable exercise in it keeping the players bending and stretching alternately. Quick play should be encouraged. When played in a schoolroom alternate aisles should be kept clear that the runners may use them in running to the front of the room.