If the US is known for its game of baseball, local Filipino kids have its native version too – shato or shatung. They have the same goal, for baseball – it is to hit the ball while in midair. For shato, it is to hit the stick while in midair too. And also, the ball or stick shouldn’t get caught by the catcher (from the opposing team) after being hit.
So how can you play shato? Let us take a look at what you will need aside from skills in hitting the stick while midair.
What You Will Need
- Two pieces of sticks (the other one is smaller than the other, like a lot smaller than the other)
- Wide space
- A shallow furrow (elongated is highly recommended)
- At least two players (and up to 10 if you want to do a team game)
The Rules
- You need to hit the smaller stick with the larger stick
- The opponent must not catch the smaller stick after being hit
- The further the smaller stick lands, the more points you will gain
- You can use the longer stick to count the distance from the base (shallow furrow) and where the smaller stick lands
How to Play It
- If you are playing in a group, you have to choose who will be the hitter and the catcher
- For the hitter, your goal is to hit the smaller stick with the longer sticker. The catcher must catch the smaller stick after being hit.
- The hitter will place the smaller stick across the shallow furrow. Using the longer stick, the hitter will flip the smaller stick then hit it midair.
- If the catcher catches the smaller stick, the point is nullified, and it will be the catcher’s turn to hit the smaller stick.
Variations in Playing Shato
As industrialization happens and most of the roads and surrounding areas are either paved or concrete, digging a shallow furrow is no longer possible for shato players. As a remedy, Filipino kids at school now use two stones (same size) and place the smaller stick on top of it. This is the only thing that has changed so far, and all rules are the same when it comes to playing shato.