The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

COUNTING-OUT PROCEDURE

TO DETERMINE WHO GETS TO CHOOSE WHETHER THEY WILL BAT OR FIELD
FIRST, A BAT IS TOSSED FROM ONE TEAM CAPTAIN TO ANOTHER.
HAND OVER HAND IS CONTINUED UNTIL NO MORE BAT REMAINS.
BESIDES HAND OVER HAND, OTHER MOVES INCLUDE TWO FINGERS
(WHEN THERE ISN'T ENOUGH ROOM FOR THE WHOLE HAND), FLAT
TOPS (PLACING THE PALM OF YOUR HAND OVER THE HANDLE), OR
EAGLE CLAWS (HOOKING THUMB AND FINGERS OF ONE HAND OVER
THE BAT HANDLE). WHOEVER MAKES THE LAST MOVE GETS FIRST
CHOICE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK

Date learned: 00001980S