Stickball
From Free net encyclopedia
Current revision
- For the traditional sport native to North America: see Stickball (Native American).
Stickball is a street game related to baseball, usually formed as a pick-up game, in large cities in the eastern United States (especially New York City). The equipment consists of a broom handle and a rubber ball, typically a spaldeen. The rules come from baseball and are modified to fit the situation, i.e. manhole covers for bases with cars or buildings for foul lines.
There are three different styles of stickball based on how the ball is pitched. In fast pitch or wall ball the batter has a wall or fence as a back stop. In slow pitch the pitcher stands 40 to 50 feet from the batter and the ball is hit after one bounce. In fungo, the style most often used in organized league play, the batter tosses the ball into the air and hits it on the way down or after one or more bounces.
The batter may be out after one, two or three strikes, depending on regional rules. If the ball lands on a roof, porch or breaks a window the batter is usually out. Otherwise the rules follow those of baseball.
