Punchball facts for kids

Punchball is a fun sport that's a lot like baseball, but it's played without a pitcher, a catcher, or a bat. It's a game where you use your hands instead of equipment!

To play, the "batter" bounces or tosses the ball into the air. Then, they hit the ball with their fist, similar to how you might hit a volleyball. The ball used is often a spaldeen or a "pensie pinkie," which are bouncy rubber balls. In punchball, you can't "steal" bases or "bunt" the ball.

How to Play Punchball

Punchball is simple to set up and play. You don't need a lot of fancy gear, which is one reason it became so popular.

The Basics of the Game

The game follows many of the same rules as baseball. Players try to hit the ball and run around bases. The goal is to score runs by touching all the bases and getting back to home plate.

What You Need to Play

• A bouncy rubber ball, like a spaldeen.
• A few friends to play with.
• An open space, like a street, park, or playground.

History and Popularity

Punchball became very popular in New York City, especially among children who might not have had money for expensive baseball bats or balls. It was a great way for kids to play a game similar to baseball using just their hands and a simple ball.

A Game for Everyone

Famous historian and baseball fan Stephen Jay Gould called punchball "the classic recess game." This means it was a perfect game to play during school breaks. Baseball writer Roger Kahn also wrote about how punchball was a game mostly for boys when he was growing up, while girls often played a similar game called "slapball."

Famous Players of Punchball

Many well-known people played punchball when they were kids. Some of these include Baseball Hall of Famers like Sandy Koufax and Yogi Berra. Sports team owner Jerry Reinsdorf, Senator Bernie Sanders, and former US Secretary of State Colin Powell also enjoyed the game.

Major league baseball player Rocky Colavito loved punchball so much that he said, "Man, that was my game. I liked to play that more than anything else... We used to play for money, too." This shows how competitive and fun the game could be! Football announcer Al Michaels also played punchball often with former Chicago Bears quarterback Sid Luckman.

Punchball in Pop Culture

Punchball has even been featured in movies and documentaries.

Documentaries About Street Games

A 2010 documentary called New York Street Games includes punchball. This film explores many of the fun and unique games that kids played on the streets of New York City.