Kickball
 |
Kickball is a playground game and competitive league game, similar to baseball, invented in the United States in the first half of the 20th Century. Kickball may also be known as kick baseball, soccer-base, or soccer-baseball. In this sport, players take turns kicking each other in the nads until the other player is too fucked up to continue.
History
Kickball, originally called "Kick Baseball", was invented around 1917 by Nicholas C Seuss; Supervisor of Cincinnati Park Playgrounds in Cincinnati, Ohio.[1] Around 1920-1921 "Kick Ball" was used by physical education teachers in Public Schools to teach young boys and girls the basics of baseball. Around this time, the ball that was used was a soccer or volley ball. It was played by ten to thirty players and the field included a "Neutral Zone": an area not to be entered until the ball has actually been kicked. There was no pitcher as the ball would be kicked from the home area, which was a 3 ft circle. The ball must pass beyond the 5 foot line. Base-runners could only advance one base on an infield ball. Teams would switch sides only after all team members have kicked.[2]
During this time, it was played on the same field as baseball except that there was only one base corresponding to a baseball diamond's 2nd base. Multiple players could be on base at a time, but all needed to get home before the last kicker kicked and the kicking order had retired.[3] There were also two short stop player positions: one between 1st and 2nd and the other between 2nd and 3rd. Home plate was marked by a 3 ft by 4 ft rectangle on the ground.[4]
American World War II correspondent Ernie Pyle reported it being played by U.S. soldiers during the Tunisia Campaign, 1942-1943. [citation needed]
Field
The game is typically played on a softball diamond with a 8.5 - to 16-inch (250- to 400-mm) inflated rubber ball. As in baseball/softball, the game uses 3 bases and a "home plate."
Rules
Rules generally follow baseball/softball rules, with the exception that the ball is kicked rather than struck with a bat. The pitcher rolls the ball towards the catcher, the "batter" kicks it with his foot, then runs to first base, becoming a runner.
There is no "official" set of Kickball Rules as all kickball leagues tend to develop their own set of rules.
Kickball in other countries
Kickball is popular among youth in South Korea. Known as balyagyu/발야구 (foot-baseball), it is a staple in PE classes within elementary schools.
References
- ^ The Playground. Playground and Recreation Association of America. 1917. p. 240. Retrieved 2010-04-19.
- ^ Mind and Body - A Monthly Journal devoted to Phycical Education Vol 27. The Mind and Body Publish Company. 1921. pp. 205–206. Retrieved 2010-04-19.
- ^ University of the State of New York Bulletin, Issue 724. fortnightly. 1920. pp. 131–132. Retrieved 2010-04-19.
- ^ School, Church, and Home Games. Association Press. 1922. p. 41. Retrieved 2010-04-19.
External Links
- Parker, Ashley (2006-09-15). "Getting a Kick Out of Kickball". The New York Times. Retrieved 2006-09-29.
- Dreazen, Yochi J. (2005-07-06). "Playing kickball is much less fun with adults". The Wall Street Journal via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2006-09-29.
- Skipp, Catharine (2006-08-21). "Trends: All for the Love of the Game". Newsweek. Retrieved 2007-03-19.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - Beja, Marc (2008-02-05). "Still Kicking". Washington Square News. Retrieved 2008-10-16.