The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

CADDY

THIS GAME WAS PLAYED ON AN EMPTY LOT OR ON A DESERTED
STREET. AT LEAST TWO MUST PLAY, BUT THERE IS NO LIMIT
ON THE NUMBER. A 2-1/2 TO 3 INCH PIECE IS SAWED OFF OF
A BROOMSTICK. ONE END IS WHITTLED TO FORM A SHARP
POINT. THE 2-1/2 TO 3 INCH PENCIL SHAPED PIECE IS
CALLED THE "CADDY." THE BROOM IS CUT OFF THE REMAINING
PIECE OF WOOD. THIS PIECE IS ALSO USED IN THE GAME.
THE CADDY IS PLACED AGAINST A MOUND OF DIRT OR A STONE
IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER:
DIAGRAM ON 5 X 8 CARD SHOWS POINTED STICK LEANING ON
A MOUND OF DIRT OR STONE.
THE POINTED END OF THE CADDY IS STRUCK A DOWNWARD BLOW
WITH THE LONG PART OF THE BROOMSTICK. THE CADDY WILL FLY
UP IN THE AIR. WHILE IN THE AIR, THE CADDY IS STRUCK
AGAIN WITH THE BROOMSTICK. THE OBJECT IS TO KNOCK THE
CADDY AS FAR AS POSSIBLE FROM THE STONE OR DIRT MOUNT IT
WAS RESTING ON. AFTER THE CADDY STOPS, THE DISTANCE IS
COUNTED OFF IN STEPS AND RECORDED. AFTER A GIVEN
NUMBER OF TURNS, THE COMBINED SCORES ARE TOTALED AND
THE HIGHEST NUMBER WINS. IF A PLAYER COULD HIT THE
AIRBORN CADDY TWICE, HIS "STEP" SCORE WAS DOUBLED.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT PLAYED THIS GAME IN THE 1920S AND 30S WITH HIS
BROTHERS AND FRIENDS. GIRLS COULD ALSO PLAY IF THEY
COULD HIT THE CADDY. INFORMANT'S SISTER-IN-LAW CLAIMS
THAT THIS WAS DIFFICULT.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH

Date learned: 10-02-1971