Tieteran Pitball

Tieteran Pitball, commonly known as pitball or kernoball, is a non-contact team sport played with a kerno pit-shaped weighted ball.

Pitball is played by two teams on a pitch that can extend up to three kilometers in length. Each team attempts to score by striking a vertical target which is positioned out-of-bounds behind the opposing team’s end zone. Players must remain stationary while holding the pitball and pass it to another player to order to transverse the field.

Origin and History

The game was invented by Paceto Loder in 176 TT, reportedly after an afternoon watching unattended children toss a small sack of bran back and forth. The game quickly spread across the island and is now a defining characteristic of Tieteran culture.

Gameplay

A standard game is played between two teams of eleven players each. Eight players are considered fielders and may move freely about the entire field during a play. Three players are considered guards and are required to stay near the end zone.

The match consists of four quarters, each lasting 15 sekendoj or 22.5 minutes, with a short break between quarters and a long break at the half. Timing continues between plays and is only stopped by calling a timeout. Each side can call a timeout as many times as needed; however, it is customary to not call a timeout more than once a quarter for non-medical reasons.

At the beginning of every play, all fielders gather into a formation circle at the point of last possession and guards must return back to the end zone. The team in possession must pass the pitball to another teammate before any player is allowed to move. Once the initial pass is made, the other fielders may move freely about the field. At the start of each half or after a score, this is instead formed at the center of the field with the possessing team alternating between halves.

The fielder in possession of the pitball cannot move from their position until they complete a pass of the pitball to another teammate that is more than 10 meters away. If the pitball touches the ground or leaves the bounds of the pitch, possession is passed to the other team and the play is ended. Otherwise, the play can continue indefinitely.

Each team attempts to score by striking a vertical target known as the zone post, which is positioned out-of-bounds behind the opposing team’s end zone. A point is earned for each meter the scoring player is from the zone post at the time the pitball makes contact. After scoring, the play is ended and the next play begins in the center of the field with possession given to the other team.

Equipment

The game is played with a pit-shaped ball called a pitball, which is filled with weighted beads. The pitball may weigh between 5 kg and 10 kg depending on the age and skill of the players.

All players are required to wear matching team jerseys or uniforms that clearly distinguish their team. All players must also wear a helmet with a face guard. Footwear must be closed-toe and suitable for the terrain of the pitch, but no specific tread or sole type is mandated. The use of gloves is permitted but not required.

Guards are equipped with large netted paddles that can be used to deflect throws. They are also required to wear additional padding to cover the core of the body.

Pitch Design

The game is played on a narrow, enclosed pitch that must be at least 25 meters wide and can range in length from 500 meters to 3000 meters. Due to the inconvenient length, the shape of the pitch may vary, and modern fields often incorporate spirals, zig-zags, or elevation changes. The surface can either be grass or another even, padded surface.