Before Cell Phones: You have to feel sorry for the kids today who never got to play stick ball. A cheap Spalding ball and a broom stick is all that you needed.

Pixelmaster Loc: New England

You have to feel sorry for the kids today who never got to play stick ball.
A cheap Spalding ball and a broom stick is all that you needed.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

bobbyjohn Loc: Dallas, TX

Ah, yes. I remember! As youngsters, we used to play stick ball in one of the local playgrounds in Flushing, NY. We'd use chalk to draw a rectangle (strike zone) on a concrete wall. The pitcher was on the honor system to call balls and strikes.

LestheK

And a sewer cover was either home plate or second base. And when there were only two guys we would play stoop ball. How about marbles?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

bobbyjohn wrote:

Ah, yes. I remember! As youngsters, we used to play stick ball in one of the local playgrounds in Flushing, NY. We'd use chalk to draw a rectangle (strike zone) on a concrete wall. The pitcher was on the honor system to call balls and strikes.

Is stick ball the same as halfsies (half a pimple ball and a broom handle)?

Beowulf Loc: Aquidneck Island, RI

Yup out the door in the morning, and return home just before dark. Tired from all day play including stick ball and other enjoyments.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Pixelmaster wrote:

You have to feel sorry for the kids today who never got to play stick ball.
A cheap Spalding ball and a broom stick is all that you needed.

Great image!!
Did your ever play bottle caps? try hitting a bottle cap with a broom stick!!

Celtis87

Pixelmaster wrote:

You have to feel sorry for the kids today who never got to play stick ball.
A cheap Spalding ball and a broom stick is all that you needed.

We used to play “stoop ball” when there were only two of us. Same “Spaldeen” ball. Throw the ball at the front steps, trying to hit the edge. Three misses on the stoop throw = strikeout. A hit was when the ball hit the edge and flew or rolled out into the field. If the ball was caught, it was an out. If missed, arbitrary distances were agreed upon for singles, doubles, triples, and home runs. Some of the stoop throw misses would bounce forward and slam into the aluminum storm door. Too many of those and Mom would call an early end to the game and we’d ride our bikes to the park. It was a simpler time.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Pixelmaster wrote:

You have to feel sorry for the kids today who never got to play stick ball.
A cheap Spalding ball and a broom stick is all that you needed.

Kids playing this type of "baseball" generally have to create their own "stick" and "ball." A head off of my sisters' doll put inside a sock made the balls we played. The parents never understood why the girl's dolls were always decapitated. The trouble started when I used one for second base. Irate parents can surely muck up a good game of baseball!

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

When I was a lad, we played 'Bottle Caps' where the pitcher would fling bottle caps at the batter who used a broomstick as the bat. Of course, there was an abundance of bottle caps back then. 'Cork Ball' was another game that we would play to pass the summer using a broomstick as a bat. These were two baseball-like games where no gloves were needed for not all of the fellows were lucky enough to have a glove in those days.

bobbyjohn Loc: Dallas, TX

Another variation which we played during recess and lunch at St. Nicholas of Tolentine (Jamaica, NY) in the 1950's was a thing called "SOCK BALL." The ball was home-made, consisting of a rubber core made of rubber bands, then surrounded by (yes) old socks, presumably clean. When the ball got to the right size, and as round as possible, we'd have mom sew the lose end to complete the ball.

The pitcher would pitch underhand, and the batter used the palm of his hand to hit the ball. And "SOCK BALL" had all 9 positions in the field.

One Rude Dawg Loc: Athol, ID

Pixelmaster wrote:

You have to feel sorry for the kids today who never got to play stick ball.
A cheap Spalding ball and a broom stick is all that you needed.

Cell phones and social media will increase the rate of decline in the human race exponentially. Watch and see .

Dannj

bobbyjohn wrote:

Ah, yes. I remember! As youngsters, we used to play stick ball in one of the local playgrounds in Flushing, NY. We'd use chalk to draw a rectangle (strike zone) on a concrete wall. The pitcher was on the honor system to call balls and strikes.

We filled the box with chalk so balls/strikes couldn’t be disputed👍

Dannj

bobbyjohn wrote:

Ah, yes. I remember! As youngsters, we used to play stick ball in one of the local playgrounds in Flushing, NY. We'd use chalk to draw a rectangle (strike zone) on a concrete wall. The pitcher was on the honor system to call balls and strikes.

We filled the box when the chalk so balls and strikes couldn’t be disputed👍

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Interesting post and a cool shot. Stick Ball must have been an "East of the Rockies" sport. I grew up in central California in the 40s and 50s and never heard of Stick Ball