The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

PICKLE

PICKLE IS AN OUTSIDE GAME. THERE ARE ONLY ABOUT 6 PEOPLE
INVOLVED. TWO PEOPLE WITH BASEBALL MITTS ARE THE CATCHERS AND THEY
STAND AT A BASE, OF WHICH THERE ARE TWO. THE BASES ARE PLACED
APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 40 FEET APART. THE OTHER PLAYERS ARE
RUNNERS, THEY STAND ON THE BASES AND TRY TO RUN BETWEEN THEM
WITHOUT GETTING CAUGHT. THE CATCHERS THROW A BALL BETWEEN
THEMSELVES AND TRY TO PICK OFF THE RUNNER, WHO MUST BE TOUCHING
THE BASE WHEN NOT RUNNING. THE RUNNER CAN DECIDE TO RUN AT WILL,
BUT SOMETIMES HE IS CAUGHT IN A PICKLE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN TWO
CATCHERS THROW THE BALL BETWEEN THEM WHILE THE RUNNER TRIES TO
ESCAPE. IF HE IS TAGGED, HE BECOMES A CATCHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 00001950S