The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

WHEN TWO BOYS ARE CHOSEN AS CAPTAINS, THEY CHOOSE
TO SEE WHO HAS FIRST PICK IN THE FOLLOWING WAY:
ONE BOY TOSSES THE BAT TO THE OTHER, WHO GRABS
IT ABOUT 1/2 THE WAY UP. THE HANDLE IS POINTING
UP. THEN THEY TAKE TURNS PLACING THEIR HANDS, ONE ON
TOP OF THE OTHER'S, IN SUCH A MANNER THAT ONE
BOY'S HAND WILL BE AT THE VERY END. THIS BOY GETS
FIRST PICK OF PLAYERS. THE GRIP ON THE BAT MAY BE
FULL FIST, TWO FINGERS SPLIT AROUND BAT (SCISSORS).
LAST GRIP POSSIBLE IS EAGLE-CLAWS.
IN CASE OF EAGLE CLAWS, BOY MUST THROW BAT OVER HIS
SHOULDER AT LEAST TEN BAT-LENGTHS AWAY OR HE LOSES.
EAGLE-CLAWS IS GRIPPING VERY END OF BAT BY THE
FINGER TIPS. IF EAGLE-CLAWS ARE NOT USED, PERSON
WHO HAS HIGHEST GRIP MUST BANG END OF BAT (NEAREST
HAND) AGAINST A TREE. IF HE DOESN'T DROP THE BAT
FROM BRUISED HAND, HE GETS FIRST CHOICE OF PLAYER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1959