Norse Stickball

Here in the fair land of An Tir we play a game called Norse Stickball.

Original Rules

1. No Martial Arts
2. No boundaries. (Spectators are at risk of becoming players if they don't run fast enough.)
3. All body parts removed must be returned to their original owners at the end of the game.

Honorable mention: If you have a disagreement with another player take it off the field. (Armor can be provided.)

Current Rules

1. No Martial Arts
2. No boundaries. (Spectators are at risk of becoming players if they don't run fast enough.)
3. All body parts removed must be returned to their original owners at the end of the game.
4. All players must drink water.
5. No Death from above
6. No one under 18 without written and oral permission from legal gurdian. and no one under 16 period.
7. No hard soled footwear.
8. Piercings and jewelry will be removed are taped down.
9. Once you remove someone from the pile, Separate.

History

The rules for our game were published in one the back issues of the Elf Hill Times. Unfortunately, I do not know which one. There has been an ongoing controversy with this game, mostly surrounding the SCA, Inc (and it's representatives in the Crown) and legal liability. As of 5 Mar 1997, it has been in and out depending on the crown[5]. Through the first 15-20 years of the Egil Skallagrimsonar Memorial Tourney, Norse Stickball was one of the main events.

Gameplay

There are two teams: shirts and skins (ladies, if you are going to play, be prepared to strip down). The winner of an initial scrimmage between team captains decides who has the option of picking a team member first or being on offense first. We play until 3 hours, 3 points, or 3 injuries (people off the field due to injuries). After the game is over, the two teams share a pot of Athel Brose, the lion's share going to the winning team and to be dispensed by each team captain.

Note: not to be confused with the American urban street game of Stickball[1] or the Norse game Knattleikr[2]. Though Knattleikr is similar, we do not use sticks. Knattleikr is an Ancient Icelandic game in which one team attempts to gain control of a ball and either take it back to their own area, or the opponents,(sometimes reported as a church). the game can go on for days and sometimes there are deaths because of the no-rules or penalties. See also La Soule[3] which was usually spevifically between parishes and can be dated to as early as 1147[4]

References

1. American Stickball
2. Knattleikr
3. La Soule
4. Jusserand, Jean-Jules. (1901) Le sport et les jeux d’excercice dans l’ancienne France.
5. THLorf Stefan li Rous’ Florilegium