Stickball (street game)
# Stickball (street game)

Stickball is a street game similar to baseball, usually formed as a pick-up game played in large cities in the Northeastern United States, especially New York City and Philadelphia. The equipment consists of a broom handle and a rubber ball, typically a spaldeen, pensy pinky, high bouncer or tennis ball. The rules come from baseball and are modified to fit the situation. For example, a manhole cover may be used as a base, or buildings for foul lines. The game is a variation of stick and ball games dating back to at least the 1750s. This game was widely popular among youths during the 20th century until the 1980s.

## Variants

In fungo, the batter tosses the ball into the air and hits it on the way down or after one or more bounces. Another variant is Vitilla, a popular variation of stickball played primarily in the Dominican Republic and areas in the United States with large Dominican populations.

## Stickball in popular culture

* In a scene from the 1976 movie Rocky, a group of youths play halfball (a variant of stickball) on the streets of Philadelphia. In the 1979 sequel Rocky II, the main character himself plays stickball/halfball in one scene.
* The season 4 episode, "Lisa's First Word", of the animated series The Simpsons has a scene taking place in the Lower East Side of Springfield (visualized like a typical 1930s urban New York City neighborhood) where a boy says to his friends if they want to play stickball and they agree; instead of actually playing stickball, the group of kids head over to an arcade and play a video game of the sport.
* White Collar TV series (Episode 2.02 - "Need To Know") protagonist Neil Coffrey comes up with a clever plan to create a park in honor of the fictional boy Timmy Nolan, who loved to play the old-fashioned game of stickball.
* During the opening credits of Big starring Tom Hanks.

## Films

* Fast pitch Stick ball (An Unheard Pastime) (2007) Directed by Jesse Tornabe
* Coverage Of Stick ball Opening Day (2008)
* Bragging Rights: Stick ball Stories (2006). Directed by Sonia Gonzalez.
* Stick ball Night Coverage: Stick ball Highlights (2006). Directed by Ross O Fomerand.
