A New or Improved Game.
Year: 1897

page_text: A New or Improved Game.
I, EILLE NORWOOD, of York, in the County of York, Dramatic Author, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
This game which I have named "criss-cross" can be played by any number
of players of either sex, and is an excellent winter recreation as it entails a good
deal of bodily exercise. Two cups and a ball painted in different colours are
employed with the addition of hollow rubber balls of a different colour (one for
each player) so that it may be the more readily identified. The ball painted in
different colours I name the "roydon 'ball."
Two boundary lines should be drawn parallel to each other at a distance of not
less than 24 feet, and the cups inverted should be placed four feet apart and in a
straight line drawn at right angles to the boundary lines, and equidistant from
the boundary line each faces.
66
The "roydon "ball is placed on one cup and one appointed player places his
own ball on the other. This player is known as the bustler," and the ground
enclosed between the two boundary lines is called "the bustler's ground".: outside
either boundary line is known as "home."
The bustler stands conveniently near both cups but must not obstruct a clear
view of the balls from either end. The other players each armed with a ball,
divide their forces, and take up their positions at either boundary line, some at
one end and some at the other, and endeavour to knock the balls off the cups.
Underhand deliveries are only permitted, any person throwing (as a stone^is
thrown) can be called upon by the bustler" to take his place.
"
"
The players must change ends after every attempt and must take their balls
with them past the boundary line. Should "the bustler succeed, while both
balls are on the cups in touching any player as he runs across, he must secure his
own ball off the cup and get "home" with all speed. The one touched then
becomes "the bustler."
No one can be touched when one or both balls are off the cups.
Directly a ball is knocked off a cup, which frequently happens when "the
bustler" is chasing a player, a cry of "ball off" should be raised so that "the
bustler" may give up the chase and replace the balls on the cups. Anyone
wrongly calling "ball off" can be named by "the bustler" to take his place."
If a player's ball remain within the boundary lines "the bustler" can pick it
up and substitute it for his own (only) on the cup, the owner of the ball thereby
becoming "the bustler" in his stead.
It must always be remembered that directly the substituted ball is on the cup.
the owner becomes "the bustler," and can at once touch the substituter, and return
"home" (if he can catch him before he gets past the boundary line) but he must
not fail to bring his ball also:
No player can claim refuge past the boundary lines while his ball lies in the
bustler's ground between them,

page_text: The bustler must never remove the " roydon" ball off the cup, substitution can
only be effected on the cup occupied by his own, and after touching anyone he
must pick up his own ball and run "home."
A constant cross fire should be kept up from either end, as a player hard pressed
by "the bustler" is thus often saved.
An ordinary tennis ball might be employed by each player in lieu of the
differently coloured balls.
I, EILLE NORWOOD, of York, in the County of York, Dramatic Author, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed to be particularly described and, ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This
game which,1 have named "criss-cross," can be played by any number
of players of either sex, and is an excellent winter recreation as it entails a good
deal of bodily exercise. Two cups and a ball "painted in different colours are
employed with the addition of hollow rubber balls of a different colour (one for
each player) so that it may be the more readily identified. The ball painted in
different colours I name the "roydon " ball.
Two boundary lines should be drawn parallel to each other at a distance of not
less than 24 feet, and the cups inverted should be placed, four feet apart and in a
straight line drawn at right angles to, the boundary. lines, and equidistant from
the boundary line cachi faces.
"
The "roydon ball is placed on one cup and one appointed player places his
own ball on the other. This player is known as "the hustler," and the ground
enclosed between the two boundary lines is called the "bustler's ground": outside
either boundary line is known as "home."
The bustler stands conveniently near both cups but must not.obstruct a clear
view of the balls from either end. The other players armed with a ball,
divide their forces, and take up their positions at either boundary line, some at
one end and some at the other, and endeavour to knock the balls of the cups.
Underhand deliveries are only permitted, any person throwing (as. a stone is
thrown) can be called upon by "the bustler to take his place.
39
The players must change ends after every attempt. and must. take their balls
with them past the boundary line. Should the bustler" succeed, while both
balls are on the cups in touching any player as he runs across, he must secure his
own ball off the cup and get "home" with, all, speed. The one touched then
becomes "the bustler."
No one can be touched when one or both balls are off the cups.
Directly, a ball is knocked off a cup, which frequently happens. when "the
bustler" is chasing a player, a cry of ball off" should be raised so that "the
bustler" may give up the chase and replace the ball on the cups. Anyone
wrongly calling ball off" can be named by "the bustler" to take his place."
If a player's ball remain within the boundary lines "the bustler." can pick it
up and substitute it for his own (only) on the cup, the owner of the ball thereby,
becoming "the bustler" in his stead.

page_text: "
It must always be remembered that directly the substituted ball is on the cup
the owner becomes "the bustler," and can at once touch the substituter, and return
home" (if he can catch him before he gets past the boundary line) but he must
not fail to bring his ball also.
No player can claim refuge past the boundary lines while his ball lies in the
bustler's ground between them.
The bustler must never remove the "roydon" ball off the cup, substitution can
only be effected on the cup occupied by his own, and after touching anyone he
must pick up his own ball and run "home."
A constant cross fire should be kept up from either end, as a player hard pressed
by "the bustler "is thus often saved.
An ordinary tennis ball might be employed by cach player in lieu of the
differently coloured balls.
As a modification in lieu of the balls being placed on inverted cups I provide
two stakes, preferably iron, having a ring at the top on which ring the ball is
placed:
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed; I declare that what
I claim is:
A number of differently coloured balls for manipulation by the players in the '
herein described game, and supports for two of said balls to raise them above
ground level.