Sustained forests; sustained profits
Sustained forests; sustained profits
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Robert H. Giles, Jr.
Lasting Forests, Novosports Unit
Blacksburg, Virginia
January 24, 1995
Great world ball is a diverse game for all ages played with a giant 8-foot diameter rubber or plastic ball typically covered with deer and goat skin. It is played in a 100 meter diameter circular field. There is an "equator" center line and north and south poles. Two teams face each other and the ball and, on signal from the" tender" (the referee), try to push the ball to touch the competing team's pole. The game is one of strength, dexterity, stamina as well as strategy because "outside" becomes a competing force as the ball is pushed nearer to a pole. It is definitely a team sport. It can be a spectator sport, but participation of everyone is encouraged. It can be played in any season, indoor or out, any weather.
The game may be played by a single person (against time) pushing the ball around the field lines in a figure-8 pattern starting at the center of the equator.
Otherwise, pairs up to hundreds of people of any age may play. It can be played by people in wheel chairs or by those with actual or imposed limitations (e.g. one-arm only).
To "pole" or push the great world ball to a pole is a win and stops the play. The tradition is for all losers and winners to give double "high-fives" after each pole. The ball is returned to the center of the field for the next play. Three" poles" or pushes-to-pole constitutes a game. Several games may be played in sequence.
A duration for a game may be set since a stalemate or draw often occurs or the ball going "out" occurs so frequently because of the characteristics of the players or the area that the game is no longer fun to play or watch. It teams cannot agree on the time, the tender collects the desired time limit from each team leader, subtracts the difference, multiples it by _____ (Fibonacci number and golden section mean), and adds it to the lower number. This becomes the maximum duration of the game. For example: low request = 15 minutes: therefore difference is 5; 5 X _____ = _____; thus/5 + _____ = _____ which, after rounding, will be the duration of the game.
The field is laid out with a 50 meter (164 foot or 55 yards) foot string related around a center point. Field marks as for soccer and other sports are used but other markers can be used. Poles with flags of all countries are recommended for large or long-term events.
If the ball goes outside, it is brought back to the center longitude line by the tender and play resumed.
When large groups play, the pushed ball usually quickly goes of the ground and is carried aloft. It may not be held by any part (fold, tab, if loose, etc.) only pushed with the open hand or fist or body. It may not be "punched" or kicked, only pushed with any part of the body. The tender calls a foul on punchers or kickers who must run to the field edge most distant from the place of the ball. Play continues. The penalized person may rejoin play after he or she gets back in the vicinity of the ball.
No hitting, intentional pushing etc. of players on the other team is allowed. Pushing off from another person on the same team or other players to reach higher is not allowed. These are penalties and the tender signals and then requires the violator to stand at the most distant north or south pole until the end of the play. Play continues if the ball changes sides (pst the equator line) the violator must run (outside the playing field) to the farthest side.
Overtime blocking and other strategies will develop. The play of the game changes near the poles and as fatigue sets in.
Hand shakes (not "high fives") between all team members occur after each game. This is followed by alternating team members locking arms at the elbows and forming a circle wherever it is convenient, usually at the center. Failure to do so requires standing at a pole in the next game.
The "ball" is an icasahedron or sphere.
The messages, ideas, and learning opportunities potentially of relevance for many groups are:
The symbolism, lest it be missed on anyone, is that the total world, at lest the world of the region, must be worked with vigorously and craftily to achieve goals. It must be done within legal and ecological constraints and rules. Team work is needed. Unusual events occur due to combined forces. Outlaws produce team losses. We can compete for mutual pleasure, health, and satisfaction.
In June, 2000 Aingeinc1@aol.com inquired about World Ball and asked for sources.
A letter sent in 1995: January 24, 1995
Professor S. D. Yeagle, Recreational Sports, 125 E. War Memorial Hall, Va Tech, Blacksburg, Va 24061 - 0326
Dear Professor Yeagle:
In 1952 as a cadet I encountered a giant canvas/rubber ball -- maybe 8 feet in diameter -- on the drill field. Hundreds of us just pushed it hither and yon over the field, maybe as a freshman/upperclassman battle (I can't remember). I've never seen it since.
As part of the Lasting Forests concept I'd like to try to develop a new sport for play in the New Century Region. I'd like to include you in my "catalog" as chief scientist in this new division. I cannot pay consulting fees now but when the Novosports Division gets going I can and intend to do so. I'd like for you to become a part of the creative effort. My company benefits (in addition to the fundamental objectives we discussed briefly before) hopefully will be from team uniforms, booklet sales, ball sales, pole and marker sales, and pay-to-play or pay-to-see events, and video tape sales. Your benefits hopefully will be from technical publications, and grad student theses, for example, on:
There is encouragement for inter-disciplinary work in the university. This may be of mutual benefit. I'll be glad to discuss these ideas at a seminar or with your classes.
I'll appreciate your review of my notes.
I'll appreciate your work within classes or directed studies of students to test these rules and improve the write up.
If there is a supplier(s) of such large rubber balls, I'll welcome seeing the catalog or getting an address.
Perhaps we can get various groups to test the game and its rules (e.g. 4 foot ball players; 20 females; 100 co-ed; 10 over-60, etc. TV of the tests can help analyze as well as sell [if desirable]. I'll be pleased to participate in co-authoring papers or a book on the topic.
The above is one way we might get started -- at lease being our conversations. With the economic situation being what it is, this company may provide funds for your students (a kind of local co-op/work-study program), partial funds for graduate students, outlets for past grad projects t bring them into demonstrated use, and future employment.
My connections:
As I mentioned, I have in mind several new sports for my for-profit corporation. These are merely ideas and need careful attention by a range of people and interests from economics to energetics. Not my field, I sense that there may be profit for us and many benefits for the region and Virginia Tech and our students. The general concept is shown in context in the enclosed draft plan for my farming corporation.
I hope we can work together. I'm working with Professor Joann Boles in Clothing and Textiles. Perhaps we three can eat a salad together soon over at Williams. Please call me at 5910 if you have a good time for us to meet.
Sincerely yours, Robert H. Giles, Jr., Professor, Wildlife Management
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Giles, Jr.
Last revision January 17, 2000.