stickball

American  

[stik-bawl] / ˈstɪkˌbɔl /

noun

1. a form of baseball played in the streets, on playgrounds, etc., in which a rubber ball and a broomstick or the like are used in place of a baseball and bat.

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Other Word Forms

• stickballer
  noun

Etymology

Origin of stickball

An Americanism dating back to 1815–25; (broom)stick + ball ¹

Example Sentences

Stickball, the quintessential urban sport, is not usually considered a political pastime.

From New York Times • Aug. 28, 2013

At the Candidate Stickball Challenge in Brooklyn, an assortment of mayoral hopefuls will compete to whack the ball furthest in this classic urban pastime.

From New York Times • Aug. 27, 2013

Teams up with his mayoral rival John Liu, who also arrives early, to challenge some old-timers to stickball at the West 111th Street Salsa Party and Old Timers Stickball Game.

From New York Times • Jul. 14, 2013

Even the Stickball Hall of Fame received a commendation.

From New York Times • Jan. 10, 2012

They were also often issued under questionable, if not laughable, auspices--in Bannon's case, the Andover Stickball League, the name of which was printed in Gothic type to lend the card a nominal appearance of authority.

From Time Magazine Archive