There are several versions of this time-honored recess game. Here's our favorite.
Everyone counts off and then stands with one foot on a designated base.
The player who is "It" throws the ball high in the air and calls out one player's number. As the other players scatter, the called player tries to grab the ball. When he does, he shouts "Spud," at which point the other players must freeze.
The ball holder can take two giant steps toward any person, whom he then tries to hit with the ball. The target person can evade the throw by moving his body but not his feet. If the thrower misses or the target catches the ball, the thrower earns an S. If he hits the target, that person earns an S.
Whoever earns the letter becomes It and tosses the ball to start the next round. Players are eliminated once they earn S-P-U-D. Last person still in the game wins.