stickball

Stickball is a bat-and-ball game that originated in urban areas of the United States, particularly New York City. It is often played in streets and alleys, with players using improvised equipment. The game is a simplified version of baseball, adapted for a lack of traditional playing fields and equipment.

The objective of stickball is for one team to score runs by hitting a ball and advancing around a series of bases, while the opposing team tries to prevent them from scoring by fielding the ball and getting the runners out. The bat is typically a broom handle or a similar cylindrical object, and the ball is often a deflated rubber ball. Bases can be marked by chalk, cans, or other readily available objects.

The rules of stickball can vary significantly depending on the players and the location. However, common elements include a limited number of outs per inning and a designated number of players per team. Pitching is often done underhand, and hitting is typically done with one hand. The game's popularity surged in the mid-20th century, especially among working-class children in urban environments. While less common today due to changes in urban infrastructure and increased access to organized sports, stickball remains a nostalgic symbol of street sports and childhood play in many communities. It is sometimes referred to as "stoopball" or "punchball" depending on regional variations.