Podex
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Podex (Pronounced: puddocks) is an English unisex team ball game played in the Lee Abbey Christian community in North Devon between The House and The Camp. The Camp can be any of the three summer youth camps held each summer. The origin of both the name and rules of the game are uncertain, although the name probably comes from the latin podex, meaning 'bottom'.
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[edit] Rules
The game is played between two teams of unlimited size - these teams are made up of the current occupants of The Camp and The House in the Lee Abbey community. The game is played on the sloping hill to the west of the house. A wicket similar to that in cricket is set up near the top of the slope, upon which the batspeople take up an end each approximately twenty yards from one another running parallel to the slope. Each batsperson has a baseball bat with which to defend two upright stumps. A bowler stands at each end of the wicket and there is one tennis ball in play. Each team has an innings lasting either 20 minutes, or until the entire team has been given 'out'. The style of play is similar to that in non-stop cricket. There are two umpires in the game who stand together, one from the house and one from the camp. They are responsible for giving people out, calling no balls and keeping track of the runs.
[edit] Batting
A batsperson is given out either by being bowled from a full toss by one of the two bowlers, or by the ball being caught off the bat by any of the bowling side before the ball has bounced. The batsperson can also be declared by their team captain following exhaustion, after which they are treated as being out. The objective of the batting side is to score as many runs as possible. There are always two batspeople at any one time. Runs are only scored by both batspeople completing one length of the wicket. When a batsperson is given out they should be immediately replaced by one of their team-mates as play is continuous. Whilst any members of the batting side are not in play their main task is to shout support for the batspeople ("keep running!") as well as berating the bowling ("change the bowler!").
[edit] Bowling and fielding
Bowling can happen from either end of the wicket at any time. To bowl someone out the ball must hit the stumps without bouncing. If the ball bounces in front of the stumps a no-ball is called and the batting team is awarded a run. The bowlers can be changed at any time, either due to a tactical decision from the bowling team or by either of the umpires due to repeatedly poor play.
The fielders' roll is to catch batspeople out and to return the ball to the bowler. They are usually spread heavily down the hill as it is easier to hit the ball further in that direction. If the ball is caught after bouncing off trees or the house walls without touching the floor then the batsperson is out. The fielders are also responsible for sledging the batspeople, pressurising the umpire and general noise making. Veteran fielders are often involved in the art of time-wasting.
[edit] Tradition
The game is played annually between each of the camps and the house. The first camp often plays two games, one in the first week and one in the second. On the morning of the game members of the House walk down the hill to the campsite and challenge the camp leader by throwing a glove on the ground. The camp leader accepts the challenge and the campers prepare themselves for the game. The campers play the game in fancy dress, or 'war dress'. Once the campers are ready, they march up the hill as a group, singing and playing musical instruments. At the top of the hill they are greated by the house captain, at which point the camp anthem is sung:
"God save our gracious team,
long live our noble team,
God save our team.
Send us victorious,
happy and glorious,
long to reign over them,
God save our team."
The toss is then decided and the winning captain chooses whether to bat or field first. Traditionally, the house has shown little interest in the fancy dress aspects of Podex; however, in recent years they have been making a slight effort.
Throughout the game, the camp make most of the noise, including the main Podex chant:
"What makes the best meat pies? Podex!
What makes the pastry rise? Podex!
What makes the house burn down? Matches! Podex Matches!
And we'll huff, and we'll puff, and we'll blow the house down."
Traditionally, the camp always wins at Podex.
