Sports We Seldom See: Water Baseball in Lansing
Identifier
F.2012-03-0656f
Date Of Production
May 1948
Abstract
Students play water baseball at Michigan State College in Lansing, Michigan.
Description
In this film, Michigan State College students play “flood ball” in canoes with rubber balls, canoe paddles instead of bats, and anchored down bases. Narrator Hugh James notes the game’s high frequency of strikeouts.
This game was invented by Michigan State students on May 12, 1948, when the Red Cedar River overflowed and flooded the baseball field, as well as much of the campus. Hits were reportedly rare, but capsizings were common. When the river flooded again the following year, flood ball resumed, and other interested colleges began playing the sport.
Run Time
59 sec
Format
16mm
Extent
35 feet
Color
B&W
Sound
Optical
Reel/Tape Number
1/1
Has Been Digitized?
Yes
Element
Print
Genre
Form
Subject
Related Collections
Related Places
Distributor
Main Credits
Koza, Frank (is filmmaker)
Participants And Performers
James, Hugh (is narrator)
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