growing up in Philly, we played halfball and used a broomstick as a bat.One version of the game was called “running halfball” which was played in the local schoolyard with the same rules as baseball. We had an umpire calling balls and strikes and our pitchers could make that halfball curve in toward the batter, curve away, and rise or drop suddenly. Speed of pitch was optional, slow or fast depending in the batters weakness.Those were the happiest days of our lives and are still a sweet remembrance. Kids today who play organized sports don’t know what they are missing. the camareraderie was wonderful. at age 69, I wish I could go out and play today. AHH! sweet memories.