Rules For Roofball,1970 Poem by James P. Roberts

Use a large rubber ball, the size of a kickball, but not too heavy

Stand in the front yard at least forty feet away from the single story (plus attic)house

Toss the ball in the air and hit it with your closed fist

The ball must bounce on the roof, or go over it

If the ball hits the side of the house, it's an out.

When the ball lands on the roof, run to catch it as it comes off the roof

A ball caught in the air is an out

A ball caught on one bounce is a single

A ball caught on two bounces is a double

A ball caught on three bounces is a triple

A ball that goes over the roof is a home run, but try not to hit the ball over the roof too often for then it will land and roll into Grandma's garden patch in the backyard

A ball that cannot be caught in less than four bounces is a strikeout

The game goes nine innings

There are three outs in an inning

Bushes, fences, telephone poles, etc. are considered out-of-bounds and the play does not count

Any lost ball, such as going down into the sewer grate or being run over by a passing car ends the game

No game ends in a tie, if needed, extra innings can be played

The game will end if Grandma comes to the door and tells you that you are disturbing her afternoon nap and why don't you come inside for some Bugles and Shasta Root Beer?