Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-08-14
"KICKING THE STICK"
Description of n New Game for Boys Re-
sembling Base Ball.
Boston Globe.

BemDlDk Ddbo Dali.
Boston Globe.
The bows of Beacon Hill have invented
a new game.
The game goes by the name Of ''kick-
ing the stick" and is much like base
ball.
The game is played by two clubs, con-
sisting of seven players each. Their
positions are similar to the positions OF
the infield in base ball.
There are four bases. The home
plate is raised at least six Inches abov @
the ground to allow the stick, best made
of hard pine, thirteen inches long and
three and a half in circumference, to
rest against it.
The other bases are first, second and
third, occupying the same places as
base ball bases do. The stick may be
either round or beveled on the edge.
The latter is preferred, as it is easier to
catch this pattern.
Twelve innings constitute game, with
two men out to constitute a side out.
Seven innings must be played before the
game can be called either defeat or
victory by the umpire, whose duty u Is
to make all decisions.
The side that is out takes positions in
the field defined by the rules thus:
1.-The plate coverer should stand by
the home base.
ssTbe front fielder must stand In front
Of plate, about half way between the
second and home bases.
"The first baseman should stand by
bts besa or a little way from It, but so
he can cover.
.'The second and third basemen should
do the same.
second and third bases, either a little IN
front or behind the base line.
1.-The back fielder should be stationed
behind the bases, generally behind
third base. but he has liberty to place
himself anywhere between first and
third bases. He must use his judgment
in this.
The side which is in kicks the stick in
order. The stick is rested on the home
Mate. and it is the duty of the kicker to
kick the stick toward the outtield.
He should wear a leather toe cap,
and is not allowed to take a prepare
tory RIM of more than fifteen feet. II
he does not kick the stick, that Is, kicks
at il and misses it, he is out. ms
corresponds TO striking out In oaSe
ball, and the boys say that many men
are put out in this way.
When the stick is once kicked the 90,
iect is for the fielders to get u ana
touch with it either the base the kicker
is running for or the home plate. ms
constitutes an "out."
THE plate coverer, who stands near
the frame, must call out the oase the
man is running for il he puts him out
There can be no playing OF base IN
this game. as the plate cOverer has only
r. tonch the plate with the stick. On
tbe other hand he must be quick enough
TO do this before the kicker gets IN MS
work. hou and IN
+h-owino rests on the palm and wrist
II IL tossed, and not thrown overhana'
Tbis insures it's straight flight
Srbe foul lines are the same as IN osSe
hoil and the same rules apply. A ny
stict NAV be caught, putting the run
1o~ ont. and a double play Is possloie
inst as in the national game.
Each kicker is obliged to run Tor MN n.
elf and may overrun first base, out
Sc ST. ether He may turn either 10 the
right or left after overrunning. a .le
- 81 I've, Sv N the runner, and running out
NJ the base line is out. Wnen lunuei
is Nit by kicked stick he is out
The boys say that the stick eau 49, oo
easily kicked sixty feet, ana tna' snei u
are few home runs. a t"o-oass0i g
about the longest stick.