Page:Indoor and Outdoor Gymnastic Games.djvu/36

28 best to prevent a throw to centre, by holding up their hands, catching the ball and throwing same to their own side.
 * 1) If a baseman is successful in throwing the ball to centre, it counts one point for his side. Then the ball is returned to the umpire who begins play again by tossing it up.
 * 2) If the centre player, in trying to catch the ball, steps off the board, it does not count one point, but he has the privilege of returning the ball to one of his basemen without interference of the opposing guards.
 * 3) If a throw from a baseman to centre is blocked by the opposing guards, he should pass the ball on to the next baseman or to the guards of his side, who pass the ball on to the next baseman, etc., keeping the ball moving as much as possible.
 * 4) A throw from a guard to centre does not count one point, but centre can pass the ball to one of his basemen (opposing players being allowed to interfere).
 * 5) Guards are not allowed to cross the boundary line or to step within the squares, nor are the basemen allowed to leave their bases. Leaving the bases or crossing the boundary line to interfere with a play or gain possession of the ball is to be punished by giving the ball to the opposing side, or awarding them a point,
 * 6) Kicking or striking the ball out of a player's hands may be allowed, but if all rough playing is to be avoided it should not be permitted.
 * 7) If the captain or player of a team is about to protest a decision of the umpire, he must raise his hand, and then the umpire will call time, but if he leaves his place before time is called, the umpire will give one point to the opposing team.
 * 8) If the centre is so thoroughly blocked that the ball cannot reach him, a point may be scored by passing the ball from base to base to their respective order in an uninterrupted circle.

Two fifteen-minute hales may be played.

The usual number of players is twenty, ten in each team; but we have played with as many as thirty or forty. If forty, number of bases and guards may be doubled.