Cy's Outdoor Games Blog » Commentary

The History of Croquet

cyhour — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:32:16 +0000

Once an Elite Sport But Now Played Worldwide

Nov 16, 2009 Robin Anderson

Croquet was once a lawn game associated with garden parties, but today’s version is a pastime played in over 20 countries in fiercely competitive matches.

Not to be confused with croquette (a small fried roll filled with potatoes and meat), croquet is a sport which took England by storm in the 1860s. It may have originated in France and been introduced to Britain as far back as the reign of Charles II, when it was called Pall Mall (Latin for ball and mallet.) Or, it may have come from Ireland in the 1850s. But wherever it did originate, croquet became a very popular social pastime in England and spread quickly to other countries including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States. For more of the history of the sport, see “The History of Croquet” on the website of the Houston Croquet Association.

How Croquet Evolved from Social Past Time to International Sport

Croquet Set

One of the game of croquet’s main attractions was that both ladies and gentlemen could play, together or separately. It was neither too strenuous for women nor too difficult for children, an activity for the whole family. But flirtations, fights with mallets swinging and the risqué showing of women’s ankles resulted in croquet at one time being denounced from the church pulpit, its pleasures banned as immoral.

A man by the name of John Jacques is credited with popularizing the sport, printing editions of his Laws and Regulations in 1857, 1860, and 1864. As rules were established and national competitions organized, croquet grew to become a major sport of the times . The Wimbledon All England Croquet Club became the sport’s first national headquarters. And the company begun by John Jacques, Jacques of London, is still one of the largest manufacturers of croquet equipment in the world.

By the 1870s, a sport called tennis began to overshadow croquet,. But the ball and mallet game was still popular enough to be included as an event at the 1900 summer Olympics, and a variation of croquet, called roque, was featured at the 1904 Olympics. As the game of tennis continued to eclipse croquet in popularity, most croquet fields were converted to tennis courts.

Internationally, croquet or versions similar are played in Australia, New Zealand, the U.S. and the United Kingdom as well as in Japan, Egypt, Russia and China. This year’s World Croquet Championship was held in Palm Beach, Florida.

In addition to Croquet sets check out my web site for other outdoor games:

http://www.cysbackyardsports.com

Alaska

cyhour — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 23:14:59 +0000

You might be thinking I’m crazy to be writing about backyard games in Alaska. You would be right if that were the case. Actually this post has nothing to do with backyard, or any other kind of games. It is however, a recommendation. There are many opinions about Sarah Palin who comes from Alaska so this is a suggestion to give you some background – the state not the person. For the past several weeks ( the paper back is a 1.073 page, 2 inch thick book) I’ve been reading James A Michener’s book Alaska.

It is a novel by a master story teller who starts in prehistoric times with characters hunting Mastodon while the earth was creating the land mass we now know as Alaska. There is a great mix of historical events and people as well as believable fiction.

Some of his characters brave the difficulties of the Gold Rush and move on to aid in the building of the Alcan highway as a defense measure when Japan invaded. Statehood was fought by merchants in Seattle who wanted to keep control but Congress finally approved statehood with a complicated set of regulations involving the wealth produced by the oil industry and land distribution to avoid the Reservation system they forced upon the American Indians in the Lower 48.

The description of the kinds of people that make up the historical population and the way those characteristics have carried down give a vivid picture of how Sarah Palin came to have the principles she has which have gained both prase and contempt. The book is well worth reading.

About Me

cyhour — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:09:09 +0000

For several months I have been posting information on this blog to help you find new outdoor games for playing at home or nearby parks to encourage having fun in these days that could be somewhat depressing while saving money and getting the exercise that we all need. From some of the comments that I reprinted in my last blog some of you are finding my efforts worth while. So….”who are you, anyway? You can Google Chauncey Isenhour and get loads of info but allow me to summarize: I was born in Anderson, IN (date unnecessary) where I went to high school. My BA was earned at DePauw University, Greencastle, IN where I met Marilyn Morr whom I married on the last day of finals our Senior year. The Draft caught up with me my first week of graduate school so I spent the next two years in the Army. Most of that time was in Korea where I was Hq.& Hq. Mail Clerk and came home as a Sgt. My marriage lasted for 55 years until Marilyn was killed in a traffic accident back in 2007. We had been Full-time RVrs for 15 of those wonderful years. Since that time I have been working at a Thousand Trails RV Resort near Conroe, TX as a Park Ranger and started my Internet business to augment and possibly replace the income from the park. If you are reading my blog you have my photo and contact information: support@cysbackyardsports.com

Have Fun

Comments

cyhour — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:03:54 +0000

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“Nice content, indeed. I will visit as often as I can”.

Perhaps these sample comments will encourage some of you surfers to check out http://cysoutdoorgamesblog.com

You Can do More with a Swing Set than Swing

cyhour — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:26:29 +0000

Playing the same types of games in an outdoor swingset will be boring for the kids. Adding more activities into the usual ones they enjoy will be a great idea. Some of the games they may play are traditional – meaning you may have played the same games when you were still kids. Other games may be modern that you no longer have ideas on. Just watch them play around their outdoor swingset and you will notice that your kids will have a fun time.

While you are always after your kid’s safety in their outdoor swingset, you should allow them to explore activities that you once enjoyed during your childhood. You have been a kid once and you know how it feels when your parents restricted you from doing “this” and from doing “that”. Maybe you may want the idea of giving more freedom to your kids while they think of other activities aside from playing on their outdoor swingset.

Outdoor games that can be played even if the outdoor swingset is present
The outdoor swingset may mark the start of each playtime for your children. It may also be utilized while they opt to rest from their outdoor games. Therefore, you may give your kids the idea to engage in the following activities:

1. Swing the Statue. This game is not just ideal for kids. Adults may also participate in the activity. While you are gathered around the outdoor swingset, you may play the game. The person who plays “it” takes charge of swinging his co-players. The “it” has the choice of who to swing. Once he swings his co-player, the latter should remain in a frozen position. Whoever moves from that position will be the next “it” for the game.

2. Kickball. With the remaining portion of your playground where you placed your outdoor swingset, your school children may play this very popular American game. This is like football or soccer where your kids will hit the ball through their feet. A playground ball of at least eight to 10-inch diameter is a wise investment for this outdoor activity. While kicking is typical to football, the game follows the rules of baseball where kids run in four bases.

3. Capture the Flag. Another fun activity that has been used for many years now is Capture the Flag. This game is popular to camping activities. You may do the same thing around your outdoor swingset area too. You need flags and flagpoles. If you do not have these items, you may just improvise one for the game. There are two teams with their respective territories. Basically, the team that takes more flags than others on guarded territory will win the game.

These are just a few fun games that your kids may enjoy even if the outdoor swingset is around. They may spend some time in these activities and be tired afterwards. After playing these more physical activities, they may turn over to their outdoor swingset for more relaxation. Placing these two wonderful outdoor events together is like hitting two birds with a single stone.

Published At: Isnare Free Articles Directory http://www.isnare.com

Obesity can be Reduced with Outdoor Games

cyhour — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:19:07 +0000

Can Obesity Lead To The Swine Flu?

By Ken Coward November 9, 2009 5:00 am

Recently I came across some valuable information I wanted to share with you all. Everyone here is familiar with the swine flu. A correlation between the swine flu and obesity has been discovered. People that are obese are 6x more likely to catch the swine flu. I have already informed you about chronic disease being at an all time high. Now you have specific evidence which show how a chronic disease can make your body vulnerable. Before I go on about the swine flu, let’s get one thing straight. The swine flu isn’t anymore dangerous than any other flu. Do not believe the main stream media propaganda. You need to look into the vaccine, then make a educated decision if you want to receive it or not.

Obesity plays a significant role in acquiring the swine flu, it also plays a role in children and pregnant women getting the swine flu. This study was conducted by Dr. Russell Blaylock. Dr. Blaylock discovered that32.7% of those admitted to the ICU had asthma or other chronic pulmonary disease, far higher than the general population. Obesity is also associated with a high incidence of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, both of which would increase your risk of having a serious infection, even to mild viruses.

Avoiding the swine flu can be simple as keeping your immune system at optimal levels. Listed below are simple guidelines to follow to avoid the H1N1 virus.

1.Increase you Vitamin D levels (Not Vitamin C Once again don’t belive the hype check it out for yourself)

2. Avoid Sugar

3.Get Enough Rest

4.Don’t Let Stress Become Overwhelming

5.Exercise

6. Take a good Omega-3

7. Wash Your Hands

These are simple guidelines that can keep you healthy so you won’t have to worry about getting a vaccine show. As I ‘ve said before you now know the facts do not fall for the media hype educate yourself and make the right decision for you and the family.

A Cowboys Guide to Life

cyhour — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 23:15:52 +0000

Remember my earlier quote from this book Don’t Squat With Yer Spurs On? Here are a couple more gems.

Don’t never interfere with something that ain’t botherin’ you none.

This one may be limited but I think you can apply it to many situations.

Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

One Last thought from Mr Bender

Every quarrel is a Private one. Outsiders are never welcome.

We’ll have some more of these nuggets in future posts. Stay tuned.

Classic Games – How Did They Start?

cyhour — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 08:04:18 +0000

Classic Backyard Games

Man Certified AuthenticThrowing balls toward a target is as old as dirt. Egyptians in 5000 B.C. played with polished rocks in a game that quickly evolved to bocce or lawn bowling. As long as there have been back yards, there have been libation-friendly convivial contests. Monks in 12th century France played a game swatting a ball back and forth across a rope strung in their gardens. Tenez! The French word meaning something like “take this” is the root of the word, “tennis”. A 13th-century game called pall – mall is perhaps an ancestor of modern golf. Popular with aristocrats, the game involved knocking balls through wickets. Another alleged off-shoot of pall – mall is croquet, which arrived in England from Ireland in 1851 and consumed the nation as its most popular sport.
Croquet may have been the first mixed-sex sport, as advice books addressed the fact that girls and women often cheated, aided by long skirts that camouflaged their kicking opponent’s balls under cover. The main sport was often above the grass, as knocking an opponent’s ball into the shrubs meant a chance to help one’s opponent retrieve it. Victorian teenagers loved croquet!

As it gained popularity and spread to the U.S., the advances in production of rubber balls by Charles Goodyear set Americans to bouncing balls over nets on their croquet lawns. Shrubbery shielded the surge in popularity of women playing with men. A lighter form of “lawn tennis,” followed, called badminton, because it required less space and ball-catching shrubbery or fences.
Today, with all the online and techno temptations for families to dive into, taking it outside means connecting more than competing.

Tire Swings and Hula Hoops

cyhour — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 06:46:13 +0000

How Tire Swings and Backyard Games Can Lower Your Deficit

The Backyard Budget: Decrease Your Family’s Deficit!

Old Fashioned Fun like Tire Swings & Hula Hoops Can Save Your Family Budget: 5 Backyard Games that Won’t Increase Your Deficit

It seems that everyone is trying to cut back these days, especially families. Cutting back on your budget doesn’t mean that you need to cut back on fun. Think about making that short trip to the backyard or local playground for some extra time on the tire swings and forget about buying the latest video game.

No-cost activities like playing on tire swings and jungle gyms are just a couple of things that not only encourage kids to exercise but also won’t increase the family deficit. With all the headlines being about balancing budgets – here are five old fashioned ideas that will keep your family in the black.

1. Red Light Green Light – It stands a good distance off from the rest of the kids, with their back. It calls, “Green Light!” and the children run toward them until they say, “Red Light”. It turns around and tries to catch anyone who is moving. If they see someone moving, they must go back to the start line. Play continues until someone runs up and tags It.

2. Red Rover Red Rover – Kids line up in two lines, each line holding hands and facing the other. The two lines should be some distance apart for running back and forth. The first line chooses a runner from the other line to call, saying “Red Rover, Red Rover, Let [chosen child] come over.” That child runs to the other line, trying to break through the hands of two children. If the runner breaks through, he chooses someone from that line and takes them back to his line. If he doesn’t break through, he joins that line. The game ends when all children are in one line.

3. Hula Hoop Contest – Great for a small group of children. Play music to make it more fun. At the ‘Go’ signal, players begin ‘hula hooping’ as long as they can. If the hula hoop drops or players touch it with their hands, they’re out!

4. Outdoor Scavenger Hunt - Give players or teams the printed list of nature items to find. The first player or team to report back with all of their items wins the prize.

5. Jump Rope Relay Race – Form two teams and set the boundaries of the race. At the ‘Go’ signal, the first two players race to the goal and back, jumping rope. The next player goes, and so on, until the winning team is declared.

Families that have fallen into the trap of high budget fun are forgetting that a family is about spending time together, not about spending money together. What you kids what from you the most is your time. By spending time pushing them on tire swings and playing outdoor games – you’re not only saving money, you’re investing in a strong relationship with your kids. Invest in your family’s future and decrease the family deficit with time together in the backyard.