The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

CURB BALL

THIS IS A GAME FOR TWO PLAYERS ONLY. A TENNIS BALL
OR SOME SORT OF SMALL RUBBER BALL IS REQUIRED.
THIS GAME IS PLAYED ON A STREET WITH TWO CONCRETE
CURBS. ONE PERSON STANDS AT ONE SIDE OF THE STREET
WITH BALL IN HAND, WHILE HIS OPPONENT STANDS AT THE
OTHER CURB ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET. A
CERTAIN WIDTH OF THE STREET IS PORTIONED OFF AS THE
FOUL BOUNDARIES. THE AREA BEHIND THE OPPOSING
PLAYER IS THE HOEM RUN AREA. IT IS THE JOB OF THIS
DEFENSIVE PLAYER TO KEEP THE BALL OUT OF THE HOME RUN
AREA. THE AREA BETWEEN THE TWO CURBS AND BETWEEN THE
THE GOUL BOUNDARIES IS DIVIDED INTO AREAS CALLED
SINGLE - DOUBLE - AND TRIPLE. THE PLAYER HAVING
THE BALL THROWS IT AGAINST HIS CURB AND ATTEMPTS TO
GET THE BALL WHILE IT IS STILL IN THE AIR, INTO THE
HOME RUN AREA. IF THE BALL HITS THE CURB BUT DOES NOT
REACH THE HOME RUN AREA, BUT IS CAUGHT BY THE
DEFENSE--THIS IS CONSIDERED AN OUT. IF THE BALL HITS
THE CURB BUT THE DEFENSIVE PLAYER COMMITS AN ERROR
IN FIELDING THE BALL, THE OFFENSE GAINS THE TYPE OF "HIT" DESIGNATED BY THE ERROR IN WHICHEVER AREA THE
MISTAKE WAS COMMITTED. THERE IS A ROTATION OF
OFFENSE AND DEFENSE AFTER EVERY THREE OUTS. THERE
ARE SIX OUTS PER INNING AND THE GAME LASTS NINE
INNINGS. THE PERSON WHO HAS THE MOST RUNS AT THE
END OF THE GAME, IS THE WINNER.

Data entry tech comment: DIAGRAM ON 5 X 8 CARD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 03-20-1972