We played (I was only girl) at the P.S. 122, Bronx school yard. The other kids (boys) were from St. John's. We did not have ball pitched. We launched a hit ourselves. A good shot was over fence of the handball courts. I remember John Graf, fellow named Simms...among others.
An excellent but of course very incomplete video. A complete description and analysis of NY kid culture in those times requires a book of which there are several. I grew up in East New York Brooklyn in the 50's and we had all of the traditional NY games. Stickball always gets top billing with the nostalgia crowd but there were so many other pass times that the kids had. A few that I remember were: flipping baseball cards, punch ball, handball, chinese hand ball, roller skating in the streets, making and riding home made skooters using skate wheels, yoyos, peashooters, "carpet" guns, wooden swords made from fruit crates, "forts" made from refrigerator and washing machine crates, various games with marbles, opening fire hydrants ("johnny pumps"} on hot days, hide and seek, ringalevio, etc, etc. Those were only the ones that quickly come to mind I'm sure that there were more. Kids had so much more freedom in those times and there was many positives to that. Since we were nearly always organized without adult supervision, social were quickly developed at an early age. It was also a benefit that the 50's and 60's were the height of the baby boom so there was nearly always enough kids in the neighborhood available for a game or two. As we became teenagers many of the pass times disappeared and now many have become nearly extinct. Sports and other activities are nearly always adult organized and supervised and though there a positives to this, there is also much that is lost. I always feel a bit sad when I watch a tee ball, softball, basketball, etc game for my 5-10 year old grandchildren where every kids parents must be present and all of the kids must have expensive professional look alike equipment (batting gloves, sweatbands, cleats, etc, etc). I doubt that any of the kids play those games when the adults are NOT present. What a loss! So much for the good old days.
There's so many versions of stick ball. This was fun to watch, especially the part about making up your own rules and the arguments that always ensued. :)
Bronx Born And Raised, Throggs Neck and I played every game they are talking about and loved it. AND no computers and no fat kids back then, we were active, running, jumping, playing stick ball, tag, two hand touch. Another reason why stick ball was invented is because you used and broomstick and a Spalding rubber ball so when you hit a parked car you didn't take out a windshield like my sister did one day when we played softball in the street lol oops... Yup my Mom paid for that one lol.
We played (I was only girl) at the P.S. 122, Bronx school yard. The other kids (boys) were from St. John's. We did not have ball pitched. We launched a hit ourselves. A good shot was over fence of the handball courts. I remember John Graf, fellow named Simms...among others.
It was pure fun.
fantastic.
played all the games in the 40s around179st. between vyse and daley any one still around
An excellent but of course very incomplete video. A complete description and analysis of NY kid culture in those times requires a book of which there are several. I grew up in East New York Brooklyn in the 50's and we had all of the traditional NY games. Stickball always gets top billing with the nostalgia crowd but there were so many other pass times that the kids had. A few that I remember were: flipping baseball cards, punch ball, handball, chinese hand ball, roller skating in the streets, making and riding home made skooters using skate wheels, yoyos, peashooters, "carpet" guns, wooden swords made from fruit crates, "forts" made from refrigerator and washing machine crates, various games with marbles, opening fire hydrants ("johnny pumps"} on hot days, hide and seek, ringalevio, etc, etc. Those were only the ones that quickly come to mind I'm sure that there were more. Kids had so much more freedom in those times and there was many positives to that. Since we were nearly always organized without adult supervision, social were quickly developed at an early age. It was also a benefit that the 50's and 60's were the height of the baby boom so there was nearly always enough kids in the neighborhood available for a game or two. As we became teenagers many of the pass times disappeared and now many have become nearly extinct. Sports and other activities are nearly always adult organized and supervised and though there a positives to this, there is also much that is lost. I always feel a bit sad when I watch a tee ball, softball, basketball, etc game for my 5-10 year old grandchildren where every kids parents must be present and all of the kids must have expensive professional look alike equipment (batting gloves, sweatbands, cleats, etc, etc). I doubt that any of the kids play those games when the adults are NOT present. What a loss! So much for the good old days.
Yes. Fast pitch against a wall. One bounce underhand on the street; one bounce if no pitcher.
im italian
i love stick ball
i miss those days
Yeah; Da Bronx; Baby !!!
villa boys were the 1972 champs and are in stickball hall of fame
come to 57th and lex in Cleveland-good stuff1
Now this is how we played Stickball in Queens also
There's so many versions of stick ball. This was fun to watch, especially the part about making up your own rules and the arguments that always ensued. :)
CHIPS ON THE BALL!
Bronx Born And Raised, Throggs Neck and I played every game they are talking about and loved it. AND no computers and no fat kids back then, we were active, running, jumping, playing stick ball, tag, two hand touch. Another reason why stick ball was invented is because you used and broomstick and a Spalding rubber ball so when you hit a parked car you didn't take out a windshield like my sister did one day when we played softball in the street lol oops... Yup my Mom paid for that one lol.
anyone in nyc see real kids playing stickball in the street???????