Brandy, better yet, go read…

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Brandy, better yet, go read this page: ttp://www.landofmarbles.com/marbles-play.html It’s the best concise set of rules I’ve read. Notice it calls Ring Taw and Ringer by the same name. However, I concider them separately as I think R-I-N-G-E-R was the name given to the offical rules when marble tournaments first appeared. Of the rules for Ring Taw as described in “Playground” http://akronmarbles.com/playground.htm I wonder what’s meant by knocking marbles out of the ring. Do they mean out of the small ring, or out of the large ring? If it means out of the small ring, then Ring Taw and Ringer are definitely different games.

Brandy, this may be a bit…

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Brandy, this may be a bit late, but I recommend reading this page about the history of Ringer: http://akronmarbles.com/players_history_the_game_of_ringer.htm It’s also worth going through the tournament rule changes that happened over the years. Then follow that link to the “Playground” book and give it a read. It’ll give good insight into how Ringer came to be and why it was choosen as the offical game. Ringer is a good mix of all the classic marble games listed in “Playground”. So of all games, I’d say Ringer is definitely one to learn. Then learn some variations on Ringer. The 1928 rules describe Ringer with poison shooter rules (this is my favorite, and I think it’s most classic). If you want to teach playing for keeps, then I’d recommend Ring Taw (as described in “Playground”). It’s like Ringer, but the rules are simpler and the higher stakes gambling, I think, is more fun. Other than that, I think Bocci with marbles is fun. Also, golf is a fun game too. Here’s a really simple made up game (like golf). I call it Regatta. Just put two pins in the ground. Start at one pin and shoot towards the second. When you hit the second, you turn around and shoot back at the first. When you hit the first, that’s one lap. Set a game to be a specific number of laps and be the first to finish. I use this game to practice my aim. When playing with others, if you hit someone elses shooter, you get a second shot. Set the pins far enough apart such that it’s a par 2 course. You only need one marble to play

Thanks kenmoose! At…

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Thanks kenmoose! At the moment, my daughter just likes to look at marbles. I, on the other hand, have the interest in game play. I had marbles as a kid, but I never learned how to shoot them. It’s a shame, because I’m finding them quiet entertaining now. Too bad marbles carries the stigma of being a child’s game (exception being Rolley Hole). It’s like having a pool table you carry around in your pocket. Just good basic fun. I hope when my kids get a little older, I can interest them in game play. It really is a great sport. As for games to play, I think the original game of Ring Taw (as described in “Playground” cica 1866) or the Ringer tournament rules of 1928 sound the most fun. Something about retaining the poison shooter rules adds so much more to the game. I’m glad to hear marbles is making a come back. It’d be nice to see kids get into this great sport again.

Growing up in Staten Island…

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Growing up in Staten Island in the 60’s we kids would get .25 from our parents every sat to go down to the corner candy store ‘every neighborhood had one’. Once a month, my cousin and I would take turns, one buying a Spaldeen ball and the other buying the candy, so every month we had a new ball to play with. I can remember the firt thing we did withour new ball was to inscribe it with our name so no one could steal it. When the store ran out we would end up with a pnky which was a dissapointment because the smell, feel and bounce were so different. It was something from my childhood that I will never forget. That rubber smell to this day brings back such great memories. I have been trying to find one for my grandson, now I know they are back I can look a little harder. But in the age of tv video games and romote control everything, will the thrill be the same? I doubt it, but I guess to thier generation, we are the olden days and the balls part of our nostalgia.

Hi Everyone,I played stickball…

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Hi Everyone,I played stickball on 114th street and Madison ave. during 1947-1954.My teams were the Prestos,Home Relief and Viceroys.I was known as Fat Ralphie,Gordito or just plain Ralph.I played against the local Barrio teams,Devils,Demons,etc. If there is anyone out there who remembers me,drop an e-mail. Thanks, Ralph C.

variation was “diamond ball”…

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variation was “diamond ball” .Pitcher would pitch a fluke, if it hit the chalk filled diamond and the batter didn’t swing, he was out. each batter only got one strike (except if it was hit foul) per out. played in the street, 3 base + home. Minimum of three players – pitcher, catcher and third baseman. anything over the infield on a fly was out, but going down third base line could net homer.

In Washington Heights (181st…

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In Washington Heights (181st Street)in the late 50’s/early 60’s, you could get both – Spaldeens were harder and cost 25 cents, while the Pennsie Pinky was only 15 cents and a lot softer and smoother. We preferred the Spaldeen for stickball and the Pinkie for punch ball. When they went “dead” and lost their bounce, the game was to “roof” the ball by throwing it onto the roof of a 6 story apartment building. Sid’s candy store on 181st street was the only place in the neighborhood that let you check all of the Spaldeens and Pinkies by giving them the “bounce test” before buying – holding a ball at about chest height and letting it go to see how high up it would bounce. I broke Mrs. Morrison’s living room window with a Spaldeen and hit the super of the building across the street with a Pennsie Pinkie!