Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-08-23

| oo"'e onCe III y odu uudiy, LOW, dG Wulct
a code Of laws was adopted which are
characterized by simplicity, good sense
and straigbtforwardness. The rule.
have since been revised by the votes o1
the clubs represented in the confer
epce, and seem worthy Of universal
adoption. We have been guided by
them for three seasons. and like them
better and better. The principal
| points are as follows:
l. 'No BOBBY. Rule 4. "The
strikers ball, when placed on the start
ing point aud struck, is at once in play
and can roquet another or be roqueted
whether it has made the first hoop or
not
2. The Turn.-"A player, when his
turn comes, may roquet each ball once
and may do this again after each point
made y a3 b
3. No Tight Croquet. t.-"In taking
croquet the striker is not allowed to
place his foot on the ball" There
has been a gradual abandonm ment of the
'tis ht' or foot" croquet, and grow
ing opinion that the "loose" or
'roquet-croquet" is fairer and more
scientific. At first, the foot was obliged
to be on the ball. Then, in the trea-
tiscs of Mayne Reid and the Newport
Club, the loose croqnet was allowed to
the rover only. Atterward (Bradleys s
rules) the method was optional Now
we have the scientific stroke as the on
ly one admissible. Al the rules about
| the finch and the rover are now un-
necessary.
A. Croquet Imperative after Roo aet.
"a player who roquets ball must
take croquet, and in so doin- must
move both balls" This sets at rest
all question about "declning."
5. Ball in Hand after Roquet.-
| When ball strikes another instantly
becomes lin hand" and must be taken
up and placed beside the roqueted ball
IN order to take roquet mo point or
roquet can be made by ball in hand"
For example, of the red ball in com
mencing its turn hits the blue aud
rolls on through a wicket, the wicket
is not made, because the ball was Ia
hand from the moment it strack the
blue. Again, if the red should by
the same blow hit first the blue and
then the yellow, he could croquet only
the blue, but would have the privilege
OF striking at the yellow atterward and
croqaeting ii if hit. You may, there
fore, stop ball which has roqueted
another Wi hout the risk OF its owner
saying: "lt you had not stopped my
ball 1t would have made the wicket"
6. Wrong Piaylug.-When bail is
| played out OF turn, or the wrong ball
Is used, or foul stroke is made, the
general principle is that the points SO
made are lost and the remainder Of the
turn is forfeited, and the adversary
may elect whether the balls shall be
replaced or remain where they lie.
But, if the adversary plays on without
claiming the penalty, the false play
holds good. Specific rules are gwen
Tor the various eases under this rule
There are number OF little special
rules ln the game as usually played,
which destroy the symmetry of the
game. 1t is mistaken idea that COM
pllcation Of rules make it more inter-
esting." This is shown by the fate of
all such contriyances as the crossed
hoops in the center, little bells on the
wlckets, etc. No croquet play er who
understands the game thoroughly, and
can play the "spIlt-spot," the follow
and the 'hold-back," needs any such
aids to give interest to the games.
The following are some of the usages
referred to, which are omitted from
tie English Code: l. Taking 1.-TWO
shots or ''mallet's length" as a re-
ward for running two wickets at the
same blow. The two wickets are, like
virtue, their own reward. "Spotting
a ball which has struck the turning
stake" 1t should play from where it
lies, like any other ball. 3. The idea
that ball must move six inches to
constitute stroke. Who can meas
ure the distance traversed by rolling
ball? If it is moved at all it is a
stroke. Scribner's Monthly.
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