Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-08-03
oRooUEr.
The Wilmington Rules.

In A greater degree than any otner outdoor
recreation, to the capacities of both sexes,
and while atfording graceful and healthtul
ryercise whose benefits can hardly be too
hirhly estimated, it is game Of science and
skill deserving to be ranked with Others
which train the mind and exercise the. judg-
ment, while affording relaxation and aInuse
The objects of the following rules and
recommendations, are First, To harmonic
tbe great diversity Of rules and establish
uniform method Of playing, so that the player
who is at home upon one field, may be equally
30 upon all Such n result has been accom-
nlished in other games not more meritorious
ihan this, and we hope TO see 1t reached in
Croquet
Second, To systematic, improve, and ele-
valc the game, in those particulars where
the experience of good players shows it to
he desirable and practicable. 1t is presumed
that all who enjoy the game will so honor its
interests as to strive not only to maintain its
present grade, but to elevate its principles,
and advance the practice of them 10 u higher
standard
IAird, To remove, as far us possible, all
opportunites for reasonable difference of
opinion over points arising while playing the
came. thus increasing its capabilities for CIV
ing pleasure and enjoyment.
F0urh, To provide standard by which
differences aIlsIlg On lne nelu may De ulI-
justed
With these objects, the following Rules and
Recommendations are established;
RULES.
The players shall play one ball ON each
side alternately, in regular rotation according
to the sequence of colors ON the starting-post.
> Each player at starting must place his
laIl directly in front of the first arch, and not
nearer to ii than three feet.
b Each ball must be considered Gin play
upon receiving the first stroke, whether it
runs the arch or not.
Ii a ball be struck beyond the boundary,
il must be Immediately replaced twelve inches
within it, the measurement 10 be made at II
rieht angle with the boundary line, from the
point at which the ball left the ground. The
PLAYER who drives his own, or any other ball.
beyond the boundary shall lose his turn, the
same as if he had made miss.
D. A player having ''made' his arch, con-
tinucs to play so long as he can duly succeed
in making other arches, in striking the
umning-posl, or in roquetng andscroqueting
other balls.
Il. An arch is 'mate" when the ball is
passed through it in the right direction. lu
doubtful cases, the fact of its having duly
passed through may lie decided by laying the
handle of the mallet across the arch, from
NlIt 10 wire, Oh tllt Sllt libll WHICH llc
bali passed. il this do not come into contact
with the ball. the arch is made. In this, and
in all other cases, the arch must be rgidly
perpendicular The ball is required to rest
IN The other side Of the arch from which the
stroke is made
= If a ball played under an arch, to gain
position in front, fail to pass completely
through, it cannot make the arch without
having first gained such position.
>. The player shall not grasp the mallet
within fifteen inches of its head.
3. The ball shall be struck with the face of
hc mallet if it be struck otherwise, ii is a
foul stroke, and the player shall lose his turn,
and any balls disturbed may be replaced Or
suffered TO remain, at the option OF the Oppo-
,ieparly.
H. II player in striking at his own ball
hit another with his macl, il is foul stroke,
and subject TO the same penalty as above.
H. Tie ball must he struch-not D0sIed.
Tie stroke shall be considered fairly deliy-
cred, only. when the s0RHd of the blow is
distinctly audible If the mallCt-heHd remain
in contact with the ball. after such stroke, and
communicate additional force to the ball, il
is push
T. \ player, having rOqued bail, may al
lis option either put his foot ON his own bal
and retain il in its place during and after the
stroke, or make the stroke without putting
Iii, foot on the ball If he elect the former
he must strike his ball from the position into
which it has been pressed by his foot. When
nCh is made. the player ceases to play,
and the balls remain rs they are.
l3, IN making the "croquct, the two balls
must be in actual contact, and the croqueC
ball must be pcrceptihly moved. Otherwise
the player ceases to play, and the balls re
main Us they are.
n, Each player, in his turn, may rOquct
and therefore croquet, any number of ball
in succession; but he cannot so treat the SAINT
ball twice in that turn, unless he shall hav'
first made his next arch or struck the turning
post.
10 If two or more balls be rOqued th,
croqnct can only be taken from the ball frs
struck. The remaining balls so struck shal
be subject TO rOquet
IG If a ball, after passing through its arch
come in contact with another ball, the strok
must he considered Il roquet
H. II ball, in making rOquct, glanc
through its proper arch, or touch the starting
or luining-post, the rOquet only, as being iirs
ELECTED, shall bccounted "a ball being dead
after 1t has roqued another, until it takes it
croqucj.
Is. a player, on making two points or o
becoming rover, shall not be entitled t
either mallets length, or double shot
~, When ball, which has made all il
arches and touched the turning-post, strike
The shrting-post, it is ant, and must be rC
moved from the ground
~. If Il ball be played, or Il player play
ont of turn, and the error be discovered bt
Tore the next player has commenced, the ba
Played and others displaced by it, may all {
''leTally he replaced at the discretion of III
adversary; and any advantage accring
ihe player thus.eIIing, or TO his side, shall
forfeited.
u A ball accidentally displaced (excel
~ Il ball in regular play) by player, ma
nc replaced or left, at the option of the At
NrrSary.
%, If a ball is misplaced other than by
payer i must be replaced.
~ If player stop or divert a ball, Il
opposite side may at their discretion, leave
or carry it as far as they choose in its cours
provided that they do not take it out {
hounds.
r. If ball is stopped in its progress othe
WISE than by player, it must be placed 1
mutual consent.
ECOMNlENDATIONS.
l. The following may be regarded as Il
iv2ulalion size Of Croquet field, where Il
Hlhls OF the grounds and other circumstanc
ilrIlnt such space to he taken Length of Il