The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

STREET BASEBALL

THIS IS BASEBALL PLAYED IN FRONT OF YOUR HOUSE THAT
IS DIFFERENT FROM LEAGUE RULES ONLY IN A FEW
INSTANCES. THE BASES ARE FORMED IN THE SPACE OF
TWO STREET SQUARES. IT IS INDICATED IN THE
DIAGRAM (ON BACK OF 5 X 8 CARD). THE BALL IS EITHER
A HARD BALL, A RUBBER BALL, OR A WHIFFLE BALL.
IF YOU HIT THE CURB, YOU ARE AWARDED A GROUND-RULE
DOUBLE. IF THE BALL ROLLS UNDER A CAR, YOU GET A
GROUND-RULE DOUBLE. THE PITCHERS MOUND WAS OUT
FOR FIRST BASE, AND IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH
MEN TO RUN THE BASES, YOU WERE AWARDED "INVISIBLE MEN"
WHO ADVANCED THE SAME NUMBER OF BASES AS THE MAN
BEHIND THEM DID.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Date learned: 11-00-1967