Video by MARTIN RICARD
Every week, young adults and the young at heart gather at the Rockridge BART station to play one of the most hallowed of playground games: four-square.
With cars and trains zooming by above, the group — known as 4 Square of the East Bay — takes over a row of parking spaces, sharing the lot with medieval sword fighters and bike polo players, to compete for fun and for camaraderie.
For many of them, it provides relief from the day-to-day stress of their jobs and hectic lives.
“I was sitting at a desk for three-and-a-half hours, not moving much,” said Gus Feldman, 25, a regular player. “So it feels good, after all of that, to get out here, hang out with some friends and … play an eight-year-old’s game.”
This video story takes a look into the world of four-square as these players see it. This game isn’t just for third-graders anymore. It’s for grownups, too, and they mean business.
4 Comments
Nicely done! Feel free to join us every Thursday at 9pm at the Rockridge BART. Be there and be square.
Ha! Loved this. I spent my youth attached to a Four Square court. I thought the game had evaporated decades ago. Wonderful article.
Back in the day (mid-80s), we used to do Nine Square in the Berkeley High courtyard. Server is in the middle square, Paul Lynde-style. I miss that game.
Travis, I totally nailed your feet!
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[...] Rockridge BART is the place to be on Thursday night. Oakland North covers the four square games that happen there weekly, complete with video. East Bay West Online (Oakland North’s sister site), also has a fun [...]