One of the missing links for the process of socializing and learning how to mature for many young men is the lost baseball game of rotation, or work up. There was a time when kids from all over the place would gather at a local ball field and take positions in the field with three players at bat. If you were put out you moved to right field and had to work your way back up. Disputes were settled on the spot. The learning process was swift.
Most usual solution if the offended party owned the ball or bat: "I'll just take my stuff and go home!" It was a great laboratory of learning how to get along or to save up your allowance so one guy was not the only one with the ball and bat.
A great article that has another message for those who care to think about it. Given the fears parents have about allowing kids the freedom of earlier generations for individual or child-led exploration, it provides further clarity for why the Boy Scouts are so adamant about "Safe Scouting" and keeping those who would prey on the innocent away. Organized activities must ensure a high level of safety in order for boys to get these formative experiences.
Or the basketball games where you got to play if your were one of the first ten to make a foul shot and then one of the first five to make the shot to take on the winners. Or the football games where you made up whatever rules were necessary to make the game playable with 5 or 6 players. Anyone else remember automatic pass numbers or was that a uniquely southern Indiana thing?
I remember that game, as well as Roll-A-Bat (where you caught a hit baseball and tried to hit the bat from where you caught it— “no relays”). We also played a football game with the unPC name of “Smear the Queer.” One guy would kick off to every one else. Whoever caught it tried to run it back, and the rest tried to tackle him. When down, that player would throw the ball back over his head and everyone would try to catch it and advance the ball. Whoever scored would kick off to start the process over.
Occasionally someone’s dad (never mine) would come out and be “quarterback for both teams” if we had 6 or 8 guys to form teams...