punchball

American  

[puhnch-bawl] / ˈpʌntʃˌbɔl /

noun

1. a form of playground or street baseball in which a rubber ball is batted with the fist.

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punchball British  

/ ˈpʌntʃˌbɔːl /

noun

1. a stuffed or inflated ball, supported by a flexible rod, that is punched for exercise, esp boxing training

2. a game resembling baseball in which a light ball is struck with the fist

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Etymology

Origin of punchball

First recorded in 1930–35; punch ¹ + ball ¹

Example Sentences

As a child in Brownsville, Brooklyn, Mr. Weisselberg played punchball until dark and rode the city bus to school for 15 cents.

From New York Times

All summer long, kids playing punchball—hitting a pink “Spaldeen” ball with your fist and then running bases drawn in chalk on the streets—had tried to steal home to copy Robinson.

From Literature

Partnership with governments probably beats being a punchball.

From Economist

My friends and I on Park Terrace West and Park Terrace East in the Inwood section of Manhattan had a punchball field in Isham Park.

From New York Times

Growing up, I played stickball, punchball and stoopball—the staples of a New York City childhood.

From The Wall Street Journal