Newcomb ball

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Newcomb ball (also known as Newcomb)¹ is a ball game played as a variation of volleyball.

Invented in 1895 by Clara Gregory Baer, a physical education instructor at Sophie Newcomb College, Tulane University in New Orleans, the game rivaled volleyball in popularity and participation in the 1920s.^[1] The game is significant because it was invented by a woman and followed basketball as the second team sport to be played by women in the United States.^[2] In an article in the Journal of Sport in 1996, Joan Paul speculates that Newcomb ball may have been an influence in the development of volleyball.^[2]

Contents 1 Early development 2 Original rules (1910) 2.1 The game 2.2 The court 2.3 The rules 2.4 Fouls 2.5 Officials 3 Later rules (1914) 4 National Newcomb Advisory Committee 5 Newcomb ball today 6 References 7 External links 8 Notes

[edit] Early development

Baer invented the game of Newcomb as the result of an effort "to place before her students a game that could be easily arranged, could include any number of students, could be played in any designated time and in any available space".^[3] The game was first publicised in an article by Baer in the Posse Gymnasium Journal, where the name "Newcomb" was fist coined. A more detailed paper was later prepared for the American Physical Education Association, which was received with "hearty approval".^[3] Baer first official published a description of the game in 1895, together with the first book of rules for women's basketball.

Originally, Newcomb ball involved two teams placed facing each other in a small gymnasium. The object being for one team to throw the ball into the other team’s area with such direction and force that it caused the ball to hit the floor without being caught.^[2] This was called a “touch-down” and scored a point for the throwing team.

[edit] Original rules (1910)

[edit] The game

Baer published an official set of rules in 1910. These listed 22 separate rules and 16 fouls, with the major objective still being to score touch-downs by throwing the ball so that it hit the ground or floor on the opponent’s side of the court. The game was to be played with an official "Newcomb Ball" (size 1 for grammar grades and size 2 for high schools and colleges).

[edit] The court

The playing area was divided by a "Division Line" into two equal halves. The height of the rope defining the Division Line varied from three to seven feet, according to the age of the players. Neutral zones called "Bases" were marked across the entire court, six to seven feet from the Division Line . The space between the Base and the end of the playing area was called the "Court".

[edit] The rules

The rules were defined as follows:^[3]

1. A "touch-down" shall count for the side sending the ball
2. A foul shall add one point to the opponent's score.
3. A majority of points shall decide the game.
4. The team that secures the "toss-up" opens the game.
5. The players must stand within the Boundary Lines.
6. No players shall step over the lines except to secure an "out" ball, or when running for the "Toss-up".
7. A ball thrown by a player out of the Boundary Lines shall be counted a foul.
8. The ball must be thrown with one hand. It cannot be kicked.
9. No player shall catch or throw the ball while down. He must be standing.
10. The ball must clear the rope and touch the opposite court to constitute a "touch-down".
11. If a ball is batted into the neutral ground by a player recieving it, it shall constitute a foul against the side receiving the ball.
12. An "out" ball beyond the Boundary Lines shall not constitute a fould unless tapped by a player as it passes over the court, when it counts against the side receiving the ball. it should be returned to play at the nearest point of its passage and exit from the court.
13. If, in passing the ball to another player on the same team, it should drop to the floor (ground) it shall constitute a foul.
14. In the gymnasium, when the ball strikes any flat surface it may constitute a point.
15. A ball striking the wall and bounding into the neutral ground shall constitute a foul for the team sending the ball.
16. There shall be no protests, except by the Captain; no talking, no general disturbance of the game.
17. The ball must not be thrown under the ropes nor between the Base Line.
18. In match game, unavoidable loss of time shall be deducted.
19. When the question arises between teams as to whose ball shall be used, each team may furnish the ball for one-half of the game.
20. In match games, the length of each half must be determined before the game.
21. In the absence of a regular instructor, the Captain shall decide the position of the players on the court.
22. The teams shall change courts during the second half of the game.

[edit] Fouls

The following were defined as fouls:^[3]

1. When the ball touches the rope.
2. When the ball passes under the rope.
3. When the ball falls into neutral ground - counts against side sending the ball.
4. Tapping the ball over the lines - counts against the side receiving tha ball.
5. Striking a player with the ball.
6. Falling.
7. Audible signals.
8. Needlessly rough playing.
9. Unnecessary protests.
10. Talking, or any disturbance of the game.
11. Running all over the court.
12. Stepping over, or on, the court.
13. Playing out of Boundary Lines.
14. Needlessly high balls.
15. Dropping the ball.
16. Any violation of the rules of the game.

[edit] Officials

The rules required that each team be represented by a Captain, elected by the team or appointed by the physical education instructor. In match games there was to be a referee, a time-keeper and an official scorer.^[3]

[edit] Later rules (1914)

A later set of Newcomb rules was published by Baer in 1914, and consisted of 14 rules with 79 sections.^[4] By this time The Spalding sports equipment company marketed a "Newcomb Outfit" including ropes and wall-posts.^[2] The rope divider was set at six feet for girls' games and eight feet when boys were playing. The revised rules allowed six to twelve players on each side and required both teams to agree on the number of participants at least a week prior to the game. The rules permitted up to twenty players in recreational and playground teams.

A 30-minute time limit, consisting of 15-minute halves, was prescribed for a Newcomb ball match, which could be altered with ageement between the teams before the game began. The rules were also changed so that a point was scored for each foul and the ball awarded to the team fouled, rather than taking the ball back to the center base area for a jump-ball between captains.^[2]

[edit] National Newcomb Advisory Committee

In circa 1911, Baer established a Newcomb game advisory committee. Members included included Baroness Rose Posse, President of the Posse Normal School of Gymnastics, Boston, Massachusetts; Miss Ethel Perrin, Supervisor of Physical Training, Detroit Public Schools; Mrs. Fannie Cheever Burton, Associate Professor of Physical Education, State Normal College, Ypsilanti, Michigan; Miss Mary Ida Mann, Instructor, Department of Hygiene and Physical Education, University of Chicago; John E. Lombard, Director of Physical Training, New Orleans Public Schools; and Otto F. Monahan, Physical Director, The Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, Connecticut.^[2]

[edit] Newcomb ball today

Newcomb ball is no longer played competitively, but remains as a game for children, adults with limited athletic ability or those with certain disabilties. It teaches children the fundamentals of volleyball and is beneficial in promoting the development of hand-eye coordination and motor skills. There is evidence of the game being played in the United States,^[5] Canada,^[6] Mexico^[7], China^[8], Argentina^[9] and Australia^[10].

One version of Newcomb ball rules today is as follows:

Two teams each having 9 to 12 players on the court at a time. Play begins with the server from the serving team throwing the ball over the net to the opponents. The ball remains in play being thrown back and forth across the net until there is a miss. Three players may play the ball before throwing it over the net. If the receiving team misses, the serving team score a point and the next play begins with the same server. If the serving team misses, it loses the serve. No point is scored for either team and the next play begins with the opponents as the serving team. Each time a teams wins a point, the same server serves for the next play. Each time a teams wins the serve, players on that team rotate and remain in the new position until the serve is lost and won back again. The first team scoring 11 points or a set time limit wins the game.^[11]

[edit] References

1. ^ Dale A. Somers, The Rise of Sport in New Orleans, 1850-1900 (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1972),
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f} Paul, Joan, A Lost Sport: Clara Gregory Baer and Newcomb Ball, Journal of Sport History, Vol. 23, No. 2 (Summer 1996) (PDF). Retrieved on January 26, 2007.
3. ^ ^{a b c d e} Baer, Clara G. The Game of "Newcomb", Volume III, November 1910, Number 1, access date 23 January, 2007
4. ^ Baer Clara G. Newcomb: A Game for Gymnasium and Playground, "Spalding Red Cover" Series of Athletic Handbooks (No. 41R, New York: American Sports Publishing Company, 1914)
5. ^ Physical education at Charles Campagne School, New York, access date 21 January, 2007
6. ^ St. Peter's Academy, Newfoundland, Intramurals, access date 21 January, 2007]
7. ^ Vigo 4 Costados Newsletter, 4 July, 2006, access date 24 January, 2007
8. ^ The Shanghai American School Newsletter March, 2006, access date 21 January, 2007.
9. ^ Club San Fernando, Buenos Aires, wesbite, access date 30 January, 2007
10. ^ Brookvale Primary School, New South Wales, School Sports, access date 21 January, 2007
11. ^ Irving ISD Physical Education - Newcomb, access date 21 January, 2007

[edit] External links

• Australian Sports Commission, Playing for Life Information Cards - Newcombe ball, access date 28 January, 2007
• Launceston State Schools Sports Association, Newcombe Rules, 2003, access date 28 January, 2007

[edit] Notes

¹ As the game is named after Sophie Newcomb College, its name has been typically capitalized.

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