Sock Ball

The tire store at the corner of Bay Street and Machar Avenue was made out of brick.  Its walls served many purposes for the kids in the 1960's.  During a rousing game of hide and seek, it was the perfect place to count while others hid.  The wall made a great opponent when playing catch when no one else was around.  Some kids even took chalk to it to make funny drawings; however this was frowned upon.  Nonetheless, it was essential when it came to a game of 'Sock Ball'.

A sock ball is born when you take a regular rubber ball and place it inside a nylon stocking or one leg of some pantyhose.  A knot is then tied on the ball end of the stocking to prevent the ball from flying through and possibly breaking nearby windows  or injuring the player and bystanders alike.  This was a lesson I learned early on in the game when my ball sailed across the lane and through the machine shop window. Fortunately it only took out a small pane of glass for which my parents made restitution. 

To play sock ball a child stands, back against a brick wall.  In this case it was the tire store wall on the Machar Avenue side or in the back lane.  Next the sock ball is swung to and fro between your spread legs, one spread arm, over your head, each side of your head and so forth.  It was of great importance to have good aim to prevent bruising yourself.   Some children also chanted or sang as they deftly swung that stocking. 

I have researched in vain as to how this sock ball idea came to be.  Perhaps it was a neighbourhood invention? 


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