The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

TO DETERMINE WHICH CAPTAIN OF A TEAM GETS THE FIRST PICK
OF A TEAMMATE IN A GAME USING A FOOTBALL, A NEUTRAL
PLAYER SPINS A FOOTBALL BEHIND THE BACK OF A CAPTAIN AND
ASKS "LINES, LACES OR WIDE OPEN SPACES?" THE FIRST
PERSON TO GUESS CORRECTLY GETS THE FIRST PICK. "LINES,
IF THE UPPERMOST PART IS A SEAM, "LACES," IF THE
UPPERMOST PART IS LACES, AND "WIDE OPEN SPACES, IF THE
BALL ENDS UP IN ANY OTHER WAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT