The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

CURB BASEBALL

WHEN I WAS YOUNGER MY BEST FRIEND'S BROTHER TAUGHT US
A NEW AND EXCITING WAY TO PLAY BASEBALL. FIRST, IT
REQUIRED A STREET AND A FENCE PARALLEL TO THE STREET AND
A RUBBER BALL. THERE ARE ONLY TWO PLAYERS IN THE GAME,
THE BATTER STANDS IN THE STREET AND THROWS THE BALL AT THE
CURB IN FRONT OF HIM. IF THE BALL MISSES THE CURB IT IS A STRIKE,
IF IT HITS THE CURB AND BOUNCES BACK THE PLAYER MUST CATCH
THE BALL IN THE AIR TO GET THE OUT. TO SCORE IN THIS GAME,
THE BATTER MUST BOUNCE THE BALL OFF THE CURB AND HAVE IT
GO OVER THE FENCE. THIS GAME DOES NOT HAVE INNINGS OR A TIME
LIMIT; YOU JUST PLAY UNTIL YOU GET BORED.

Submitter comment: SINCE THEN I HAVE TAUGHT SEVERAL YOUNGER CHILDREN
HOW TO PLAY CURB BASEBALL.
THE FENCE IS BEHIND THE PLAYER IN THE STREET.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Date learned: 07-00-1976