the Girls' Branch
of the Public Schools Athletic League of New York City in 1906.
This game was one that received honorable mention, and is here
published by the kind permission of the author, and of the
Girls' Branch and of Messrs. A. G. Spalding & Brothers, who
publish the handbook in which the game first appeared.

CENTER BASE

_10 to 30 or more players._

_Playground; gymnasium._

_Hand ball; basket ball._

All of the players but one form a circle, with considerable space
between each two. The odd player stands in the center, holding the
ball. He tosses it to any player in the circle, and immediately runs
away outside the circle. The player to whom the ball is thrown must
catch it, place it on the ground in the center of the circle, and at
once chase the one who threw it. The one who threw the ball tries to
get back to the center of the circle and touch the ball before he can
be tagged. Should he succeed in this, he joins the circle, and the
other player throws the ball. If the first center player is tagged
before returning to the ball, he throws again, and the one who chased
him returns to the circle.

This game is very popular with children.

CENTER CATCH BALL

_10 to 30 or more players._

_Playground; gymnasium._

_Hand ball; basket ball; bean bag._

I. Simple form for little children.

All of the players but one stand in a circle, with two or three feet
distance between players. The odd player stands in the center of the
circle and tries to catch the ball, which is tossed rapidly from one
circle player to another. Should he be successful, the one who last
touched the ball changes places with him.

II. Advanced form for skillful players.

This differs from the preceding in the greater distance between
players and also in the much greater range and resourcefulness of
play.

The players stand in a circle with from six to eight feet between each
two, and with one player in the center. The circle players throw a
ball from one to another, the object of the game being for the center
player to catch the ball or knock it to the floor. The circle players
may throw the ball over the heads of one another or across the circle,
or make sudden feints of throwing it in one direction, turn suddenly
and throw it in another, etc., to deceive the center player.

Any player in the circle who last touched the ball, changes places
with the center player whenever the latter t