Marbles: Will we ever play again?

[jbriley]

I live in Tulsa, Oklahoma: part of the "Heartland." As cities go, it is small and many people are quite traditional in most aspects of life. But, just like the rest of the country, children and adults both would prefer to watch a movie, or play on the Wii versus scattering a few tiny spheres on the floor and playing a age-old game. I read here in one of the forum threads that there is going to be a marbles convention in Tulsa this month. Until I read that, I thought I was the only one in Oklahoma who enjoyed marbles at all. But even here, in this highly traditional state, tell someone you enjoy collecting, or God forbid, playing marbles, and they look at you like you have corn growing out of your ears. To most people, marbles is simply an antiquated game which no longer has a place in society.

But knowing now that there are many people who collect marbles throughout the United States, and a very few places that still have marble tournaments, I am wondering if there is any hope for the game to recover...somewhat. I have no illusions, no expectations to see local parks littered with children playing marbles, knuckles and knees covered in dirt. But it would be nice to have a few more communities where marbles tournaments are held, or groups of people meet to play and trade.

I have thought long and hard about trying to arrange something myself, via that MeetUp web site, or trying to organize something through forums such as this one. But I am a tad socially awkward, so convincing a group of people to talk about and play marbles would only be possible on a fistful of Xanax. But most people do not have my neurosis. Why is it that there are so many of us that enjoy collecting marbles, but so few communities where children and adults can find a place to PLAY marbles. Sure, a couple of people may arrange from time-to-time to meet somewhere and shoot a game, but with marbles flailing popularity, it would be nice to see a few more publicized events out there. Not only would this give more enthusiasts the chance to actually shoot marbles, but it would introduce marbles to a whole new segment of society that may otherwise not even be aware that they are still collected, played and loved by millions throughout the world.

For me, marbles are more than just beautiful glass/stone spheres to be collected, placed on a shelf and looked at. They represent people gathering together to play, to interact with one another, to laugh, to enjoy the outdoors. I have two children, one 10, the other one year old. The 10-year-old will play on occasion. The one-year-old would LOVE to get his grubby little hands on my marbles and stuff them into his mouth. Time to call 911. The baby actually shows quite a bit more interest in spheres in general, so I think there may be hope for him. But with more options than just Dad to play with, I think both of them would really enjoy playing and collecting.

It is just such a wonderful game, and there are so many beautiful marbles out there, both machine and handmade. I just hate to see them become less and less popular every year. Anyone else thought about organizing local events to actually PLAY marbles, or do people only enjoy collecting?

[MarbleKeeper]

Dear Tulsa Marble Visionary: I read with GREAT interest about your idea of re-invigorating the fun of playing marbles. I live in Kansas City so we aren't that far away. I just completed writing and publishing of a new book, Collecting Marbles: A Beginner's Guide, which has opened up a whole new world for me. At book signing you would not believe the number of children and parents who want to learn how to play marbles. At Old Shawnee Days a few weeks ago, my wife and I taught 250 children the old game of Ringer-in the dirt, 1920 style with old slag marbles.
Now I am in stealth mode to figure out how to build a portable playing ring that I can take to schools, community centers, parks, boys and girls clubs, camps……and show children how to play marbles. At other events ( flea market and an antique show), I had trouble finding a level surface for beginners so I really need some ideas on how to build a portable platform –ideal dimensions, materials, surface covering and capable of fitting in the trunk of my car!
Lets keep beating the drum!
Rich Maxwell, www.marblekeeper.com

[Mr.Mib]

I think it would be awesome, if a group or club could put on marble tournaments in key cities.

I have also been tossing the idea around in my head of building a collapsible type of marble table, for the game of ringer. It may have to be slightly smaller than a ten foot diameter circle. I was thinking hinged plywood, maybe covered with foam core (poster backing) and then a felt pad, or indoor outdoor carpet with the markings painted on. I would add a short barrier around the edge to catch out of bound shots.

My idea was to have this raised for older players, (adults) and an entry fee that would equate to a prize.

[lstmmrbls]

You may want to check with Boy Scouts-Cub Scouts. I believe they still have a badge for marble playing. I have donated many marbles to a couple troops around the country in the last 10 years.

[Pete]

The Cub Scouts do have the marbles badge, which they can get for learning the game, and showing the troop how toplay. There is also a collecting badge they can get by building a marble collection. We sell marbles every single day for play. We sell to schools and the scouts, camps and other youth groups. We've been in business for 16 years, and every year we sell more. I like to think that we are partly responsible for any resurgance there may be in marble play. Don't mean to toot my own horn, but there is not a lot of places to get marbles anymore, and our selection is amazing, if I don't say so myself. I have gone to great lengths to bring an ever-expanding range of marbles to market. People tell me all the time that my site inspired them to play and collect, simply because it opened up a whole new world of choice.

22.31% of our sales are to California, 6.34% is to NY, 5.43% is to Texas, 4.9% is to Michigan, 4.53% is to Florida and 56.5% is to All Others. Marbles are most popular with Spanish Americans, and much of the sales in California and Texas are to immigrants from Mexico.

Ever since I got into marbles I was struck by the concern the game was disappearing. I started LandOfMarbles.com because I hoped I could promote marble playing, knowing that players grow up to collect - I wanted to continue to enjoy the hobby, that so many thought was dying out.

Just thought this might interest some...