Re: WW2 (fwd)
TerrelllN@AOL.COM
Fri, 7 Nov 1997 23:16:03 -0500
Steve,
Tip cat is a ball game in which most any number of individuals can play. Two
batters face each other about 30 feet apart with the pitcher half way between
them. The other players are in the field surrounding the batters and pitcher.
The pitcher pitches to one of the batters until he hits the ball or strikes
out (three strikes)...balls are not called (no umpire). If the ball is hit,
each batter (now runner) runs to the opposite base. Anyone getting the ball
can get either of the runners out by throwing the ball across the runner's
path or touching the player with the ball before he or she reaches the base.
Of course if the ball is caught as a fly the batter is out. The individual
getting the runner out now becomes a batter. If both runners are safe the
pitcher pitches to the other batter. And the playing continues. The players
come to bat only when he or she gets a runner out.
The bats were often tobacco sticks, broom sticks or small saplings. The ball
was home made and the two bases were patches of bare ground scratched out
from the grass and weed of the play area.
I am 82 years old and it has been a few weeks since I played the game so my
memory of the rules of the game are somewhat vague. However my cousins and I
played Tip Cat during much of our childhood during the late '20's and early
30's.