Kidsday: We love mat ball

Dave Tor, our creative physical education teacher, is always showing us fun games. Our favorite is mat ball. Every third-, fourth- and fifth-grader in our school loves this game.

Mat ball grew out of kickball -- but with a twist. Mr. Tor knew how to play kickball but changed it to fit younger kids.

Before you play, you need to put a mat in each corner of the gym. The only other equipment you need is a soft Gator ball. The class should be divided into two equal teams.

The object of the game is to score more points than the opposing team. Like kickball, one team is up, and they kick one at a time. A pitcher rolls the ball to the kicker. Everyone else is a fielder and can play anywhere on the field.

To score, you have to kick the ball and run around all four bases (the mats) twice. When you are in the field, you try to get four outs. If someone in the field catches the ball, it is an out, but the runner still has to run the bases. You can lead, steal or run anytime you want.

Watch out; you can still be tagged (hit with the ball) by the opposing team. There can be more than one player on a base. If you throw the ball and it hits a player running, that player is out and has to get back on the kicking line. This game is designed to be played in the gym, and there are no boundaries.

Mat ball is so much fun that it will keep you playing and playing and running and running. It is simple and easy to set up. Just remember to be a good sport and have fun. Still don't get it? Search mat ball, and you will see all sorts of rules and ways to play this fun game.

Pokémon Rumble Blast

Pokémon Rumble Blast (Nintendo) is the first Pokémon game for the 3DS. It is a sequel to Pokémon Rumble, a downloadable game for the Wii. This game is easy to pick up and play. At first, it seems like button mashing; but as you go on, you figure out strategies. You have to dodge boss' attacks and up your statistics. The story line of this game is deeper than you think it is. Not only do you try to collect strong Pokémon, but you have to stop the thieves. The story pulls you right back in just as you start to get bored. This action-adventure game will keep you entertained for weeks. If you have a 3DS or are thinking of picking one up, you should get this game.

--Kidsday Reporter Jonathan Pofcher

CLASS OF THE WEEK: Kathryn Dunleavy's fifth-grade class, BRANCH BROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, Smithtown