When you were a kid, did you have a backyard croquet game? The sets with the colorful wood mallets and those lovely wide, white wire wickets? If you did, then you likely have some great memories of the camaraderie of backyard fun. Here are mine.
We had a croquet set, a lawn, and a neighborhood of kids to play. From May to September in Short Hills, NJ, we had a game going whenever possible, always begging my father to mow the lawn so we could play on the bumpy grass.
The big difference in the game that I remember is that you could hit the opponent’s ball and then set up a sideways shot. Put the two balls together, yours behind the other, put your foot on your ball, then whack the ball as hard as possible sending the opponent ball as far as possible, and with any luck, your ball stayed under your foot. That was the most fun!
Our yard backed up to a beautiful woodland called the South Mountain Reservation. If we hit the ball hard enough in the right direction, opponent’s ball went into the woods and down the hill, preferably into the creek, amid raucous hoots and cheers from all sides. Excellent shot! Rules on where opponent had to hit from there varied with shouts from game to game. Basically, there were no rules. Resolution was by consensus or the loudest voice.
But there was a serious risk to hitting the double balls. If you missed the ball and hit your foot, and we often played barefoot, the consequences were dire. I remember limping around for a week many times.
Twilight games were a favorite of both kids and adults, the latter with cocktails in hand. Ladies with skirts and sometimes heels trying to hit a ball, we thought hilarious. But we had to keep a straight face during play. Sometimes they couldn’t hit at all, and we had to help. Afterwards, when adults were gone, we imitated their efforts to great amusement.
The black ball strategy was a tossup. In the fading light, it was harder to see (it still is). When it got hit into the woods, it took a posse of lookers to find it. On the other hand, the black ball was harder for opponent to see for a roquet if you hid in the shadows.
Yes, backyard croquet is the source of fond memories for many who play today or want to play today. When I coach brand-new players at events for outside organizations at the National Croquet Center located in West Palm Beach, FL, I start out by asking, “Did any of you ever play backyard croquet?” When the answer is “yes,” eyes light up and smiles ensue, sometimes with amusing anecdotes. Then I explain that these wickets are 1/8” larger than the ball, and the smiles fade. But just temporarily. They always have great fun and thank us profusely for introducing them to the great sport of croquet.
Because that’s the heart of the game, isn’t it? Camaraderie, fun, with challenge, from young to old. |