The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-04-04

TOYING WITH A HIGH BALL.
lifted off the ground with the hands
when it is in play. 1t may be struck
with the hand, however, or it may be
kicked. 1t may be also caught on the
fly and the player so catching it may hit
it in any way he chooses. He may not,
however, hold it or run with it, the de-
sign being to keep the ball free and con-
stantly in play. Hitting both right and
left is allowed.
Where any rule of the game is broken,
the referee may allow a free hit or puck
if he see fit. In these free hits, except
hit from goal, the ball should not be
held in hand. If the ball sGrike by
stander near the lines, except the
referee or umpires, it is considered out
of play, and must be thrown in by the
referee or one of the umpires. If this
occurs at the goal line, the ball is still
considered out of play and must be hit
from goal. In the latter case, the
referee, if he consider that the ball If
not interfered with would have passed
through the point or goal line, may
allow point or goal as he sees fit.
1t will be seen at once that the game
is exceedingly simple and that the rules
allow the players wide latitude when
playing. At the same time it involves
as much exercise as either football or
lacrosse without being especially dan
gerous. In the way of educating the
eye as we'll as the limbs to quickness it
is in some respects superior to either.
In football a large sphere is used and
the eye is called upon to perform but
little labor. In lacrosse the ball used
is small, but it is driven by sort of
a scoop-net, so to speak.
However, comparisons aside, hurting
has it's own excellen lies, and as win
ter game on the ground or on the ice it
has nosuperior for not only is it health
full, but it is safe, simple and intensely
enjoyable. Any one can play it who
can learn to play it, and any one who
can not learn to play it can learn moth
ing, for it is simplicity itself.
The outfit required is easily acquired. A
ball and stick with crook on one end
and there you are. All that is needed
then is clear day and level field. On
a crisp, cold day there is nothing that
will stir up the blood, liven up the
muscles and invigorate one generally in
a more complete manner than a good,
lively game of hurting. The game is
played in an hour, with a short rest in
the middle of the game, so there is no
danger of any one in ordinarily good
health suffering from over-exertion.
To become an expert hurler no pecu1-
lar qualifications are required. A small
man can play as well as big one, all other
things being equal. Activity is the
main thing, combined with quickness
of sight and good Judgment which en-
ables the player to use his hurly with
accuracy and effect.
Among professional athletes the game
of hurting is hardly likely to become
popular, but among gentlemen amateurs
it ought for many reasons to become a
favorite game. To business men and
men of sedentary habits it furnishes
rare facilities for keeping in good physi-
cal condition, the exercise being suf-
ficient for this without being too severe
for persons unused to physical exertion
At present hurting is all too little
known. 1t would be we'll if every ath-
letic club would introduce it as one of
the features of it's regular games. Once
the public came to know its good points,
it could scarcely fail to become widely
popular. n. Crane, Pitcher
New York Baseball club.