Copyright © 2004 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved
News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2004 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – An exhibition stickball game is scheduled Friday, September 3, as part of the 52nd Cherokee National Holiday festivities.
The game begins at 7 p.m. and continues until 10 p.m. The game will be held at the Sequoyah High School Football Practice Field (track), located four miles south of Tahlequah, Okla., on Highway 62.
“Stickball was used primarily as a war game for battle training,” said Gary Girty, coordinator of the stickball game. “It was also a way of settling disputes between towns and communities. Only men participated.”
Today the social game of stickball is always played with men playing against women, on opposing teams. Teams use a small ball to hit a target, which is a wooden fish, mounted on top of a trimmed cedar tree. Points are scored when the ball hits the target at the top of the pole or hits the pole within three feet of the target. According to traditional rules, men use two- to four-foot wooden sticks with a cup shaped pocket at the end. The sticks are used to hold, catch and throw the ball. Women do not use sticks, they use their hands.
Traditionally the ball is a round rock covered with deer hair, rabbit fur or horsehair inside a sewn leather type covering. The number of players on each team varies from 10 to 50 depending on the circumstances. The playing field for the game is larger than a basketball court.
“There is no entry fee and anyone over nine years old is invited to participate and everyone can watch the action,” said Gary Girty, coordinator of the stickball game. “The game will pit men against women in a social game promoting recreation, physical fitness and community unity.”
The Cherokee National Holiday has been held since 1953 in commemoration of the signing of the 1839 Cherokee Constitution. It has grown into one of the largest events in Oklahoma, attracting more than 90,000 people from across the world.
For a full schedule visit the Cherokee National Holiday, on the Cherokee Nation’s web site, or call Louie Slagle, phone: 918-456-0671 or 800-256-0671 (ext.2544). For more information on the stickball game, call Gary Girty, phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2441).
| Related Cherokee Nation contact information: |
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Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |