|
|
Ball Games: WATER POLO, an aquatic team game played by swimmers in indoor and outdoor pools with an inflated ball. As in other goal games, such as soccer and lacrosse, the objective is to place the ball through the opponents' goal, thereby scoring one point. Usually this is accomplished not by individual effort but by relaying the ball to teammates. The game saw its start in England in the 1870's and has grown in popularity during the 20th century. Two types evolved: one, especially popular in the United States, was a "softball' variety (the ball not fully inflated) and was extremely rough—a player was often tackled and held underwater until he released the ball; in Europe, however, a "hardball" variety was adopted, and the sport was first played in the Olympic games in 1900. Because of Olympic games prestige, this hardball game may now be considered the "official" international game, although the softball type continued to enjoy some popularity in the United States until the end of the 1930's.
At no age is play exclusively individualistic or entirely social. Under favorable conditions, ten-year-old boys become interested in teamwork, show loyalty to their team, and play a larger number of organized games such as baseball. This growing interest in the team partly accounts for the increasing popularity, between the ages of nine and sixteen, of ball games which require skill in throwing and catching and participation in more complicated group organization.
In 1787 the Marylebone Cricket Club was founded, and the MCC still rules the game from Lord's, its playing field and headquarters in London.Cricket is one of the most subtle of popular team games— more so than baseball, to which it bears a superficial resemblance. Whereas a baseball pitcher must throw the ball accurately md at great speed and make it curve in flight, i cricket bowler is expected to do all of those iings and many others too— to pitch the ball so iat it lands on the wicket (prepared grass sur-:ace) and stops at an exact distance of 18 or [9 yards in order to make the batsman, who :annot leave his prescribed place, reach forward :or it; to spin the ball with his fingers so that t turns on landing; and, by secret finger spin, o make the ball do one thing when it appears ikely to do another. He is expected also to le able to tempt the batsman into traps involving trategically placed fielders. |
|
|
|
|
