The roots of stickball run deep in Choctaw culture. The fiercely competitive game – played long before there was football, baseball and basketball – is played with sticks and a small orange ball. Mississippi Today photographer Eric J. Shelton captured the action from the World Series of Stickball, played annually at the Choctaw Indian Fair, near Philadelphia, in this slideshow.

Trey Ben watches as his team competes in the World Series of Stickball during the Choctaw Indian Fair at Choctaw Central High School Wednesday, July 11, 2018. The commissioner of the World Series of Stickball calls it “the granddaddy of all American Sports.”
A player is tackled during the World Series of Stickball during the Choctaw Indian Fair at Choctaw Central High School Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
Fans watch as teams compete during the Choctaw Indian Fair at Choctaw Central High School Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Pearl River huddles between quarters during the World Series of Stickball at the Choctaw Indian Fair in Choctaw Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
Mario Chickaway, 28, gets help from paramedics after suffering from a broken femur during the World Series of Stickball at the Choctaw Indian Fair in Choctaw Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
Players kneel after Mario Chickaway, 28, was injured during the World Series of Stickball at the Choctaw Indian Fair in Choctaw Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
Teams compete during the World Series of Stickball at the Choctaw Indian Fair in Choctaw Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
Drummers play during the World Series of Stickball at the Choctaw Indian Fair in Choctaw Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
A player rests on the sideline during the World Series of Stickball at the Choctaw Indian Fair in Choctaw Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
Teenagers compete during the World Series of Stickball at the Choctaw Indian Fair in Choctaw Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
A player is tackled during the World Series of Stickball at the Choctaw Indian Fair in Choctaw Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
Players reach for the ball during the World Series of Stickball at the Choctaw Indian Fair in Choctaw Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
Players share a laugh during the World Series of Stickball at the Choctaw Indian Fair in Choctaw Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
Teenagers compete during the World Series of Stickball at the Choctaw Indian Fair in Choctaw Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
A drummer takes a rest between quarters during the World Series of Stickball at the Choctaw Indian Fair in Choctaw Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
Teenagers compete during the World Series of Stickball at the Choctaw Indian Fair in Choctaw Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
A player is tackled during the World Series of Stickball at the Choctaw Indian Fair in Choctaw Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
A drum is seen on the sideline during the World Series of Stickball at the Choctaw Indian Fair in Choctaw Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
Teenagers compete during the World Series of Stickball at the Choctaw Indian Fair in Choctaw Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
Canaan Tubby picks up his sticks after competing in the World Series of Stickball at the Choctaw Indian Fair in Choctaw Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
Adult players attempt to score a goal during the World Series of Stickball at the Choctaw Indian Fair in Choctaw Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
Teams compete during the World Series of Stickball at the Choctaw Indian Fair in Choctaw Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
Pearl River community and Koni Hata community teams congratulate each other during the World Series of Stickball at the Choctaw Indian Fair in Choctaw Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
Pearl River players share a laugh after their victory against Koni Hata during the World Series of Stickball at the Choctaw Indian Fair in Choctaw Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
Pearl River community celebrate their victory against Koni Hata during the World Series of Stickball at the Choctaw Indian Fair in Choctaw Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
Pearl River community and Koni Hata community teams congratulate each other during the World Series of Stickball at the Choctaw Indian Fair in Choctaw Wednesday, July 11, 2018.

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Eric J. Shelton is a 2018 corps member in Report for America, and joined the team as our first photojournalist. A native of Columbia, Miss., Eric earned his bachelor’s in photojournalism from the University of Southern Mississippi. He was a multimedia journalist for Abilene Reporter-News, chief photographer for the Hattiesburg American and photo editor for the Killeen Daily Herald before joining our team June 2018.