When we weren't playing baseball or sliding on our sleds we'd chose another game. Pump Pump Pull Away was popular. Sides were chosen with one person it who was between the to two sides lined up facing each other about 20 yards apart. At a signal the the players would switch sides while trying to avoid being tagged by the one who was it. Anyone tagged joined the person who was it in the center and would assist with the tagging. The game ended when everyone had been tagged.
Often we'd play Kick the Can. One person (or a team of people if the group is large) is designated It and an empty can is placed in the open playing field. With eyes closed, It counts to an agreed upon number, and the other players run and hide. It then tries to find and tag each of the players, always keeping a watchful eye on the can. Any player who is tagged is sent to the "jail," usually in plain sight of the can. The rest of the free players attempt to kick the can before being tagged out. If they can kick the can without being caught, they set all the captured players free.
Winter sports often used sleds for sliding. But the ball field below the hill was also suitable for Fox And Goose. It seemed most of our games featured running, which I guess was good for us.
Ante Over was played by throwing a ball over either the coal shed or the school house. With teams on either side of the building a ball was thrown over the roof. The team who caught the ball would race around the building and try to tag the other team before they could get to the other side. Those tagged would then join the team that had tagged them until all players were tagged.
Those who arrive at school early would play until the school bell rang. The bell was a small brass hand bell. That bell also announced the end of recess and lunch hour. There were no games after school as all students headed home for their evening chores. Evening chores will be subject for a future blog.
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| I, and my three siblings are in the picture. 1946 |
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