Author Archives: Streetplay Discussions

I grew-up in Philly (Onley)…

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I grew-up in Philly (Onley) and remember playing both Half-Ball and Wire-Ball as described by Spredhaus. We lived on a street that dead-ended into the railroad tracks, so there was little through traffic except for the trucks going into and out of the factory across the street. We also played a one-bounce pitch version of Punch-Ball. Curb-Ball and Stoop-Ball (or Step-Ball) was common when there were fewer kids around, although we had so many kids getting a Punch-Ball game together was pretty easy

There was a farmer had a…

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There was a farmer had a dog and Bingo was his name, oh! B-I-N-G-O, B-I-N-G-O, B-I-N-G-O and Bingo was his name, oh. There were six in the bed, and the little one said, “Roll over! Roll over!” So they all rolled over and one fell out, there were five in the bed, and the little one said, “Roll over! Roll over!” So they all rolled over and one fell out…” and so on

Does anyone remember the…

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Does anyone remember the subsequent verses to a sailor went to sea sea sea? Next there was chop, then there was knee, then there was toe. At the end you were saluting, making a chopping motion in the bend of your elbow, touching both your knees and touching both your toes all in sequence while saying [a sailor went to] sea-chop-knee-toe and then coming back up in time to continue clapping and singing. What a workout. Always wound up giggling.

When I lived in Valley Stream,…

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When I lived in Valley Stream, just over the line from Queens in the early fifties, I played a game called Tip-Cat. It had the same “rules” as stick ball. I was very young (seven) when I last played the game. The inherent dangers of the game caused me to retire after I got three stiches in the corner of my eye from a missed Tip-Cat. Actually, my Mom said if I ever played Tip-Cat again, she would kill me herself rather than having me lose an eye! A Tip-Cat was a stick about six inches long and fatter in the middle than both ends. The Tip-Cat was placed on the ground in front of the batter. The batter took his bat (any good broom handle) and would strike downward on the end of the Tip-Cat. The Tip-Cat would then “jump” up into the air and the batter would hit it like any pitched ball. The fielders had to catch this flying stick in the air to get a chance to get up to bat. Runs were scored the same as stick ball. I cannot believe I ever played a game like this, but I was only seven and the other players were older. It really is amazing that anyone playing this game survived with any eyesight.

Paul, Interested to…

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Paul, Interested to know where and when you grew up and about hopscotch being for boys and girls. Butirlfi did some research on it and found that the game originated as a training for Roman Legion soldiers! Please post or send us an e-mail telling us more about your experience.

Where I grew Hopscotch was…

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Where I grew Hopscotch was not only for girls, boys played too. The summer playgrounds had a tournment at the end of the summer. The boys that won ended up being the stars on the high school sports teams. Hopscotch was serious business for the boys. And by the way the boys almost always beat the girls.

oh wow, these bring back…

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oh wow, these bring back memories. How about: ON top of spaghetti all covered with cheese I lost my poor meatball when somebody sneezed. It rolled off the table and onto the floor and then my poor meatball rolled right out the door. It rolled thru the garden and under a bush and then my poor meatball was nothing but mush!! or: I’m bringing home my baby bumblebee wont my mommy be so proud of me I’m bring home my baby bumblebee Ow, he stung me. I squishing up my baby bumblebee etc etc etc. Heres one sung to a familiar tune: My country tis of thee I went to Germany to see the king. THe king was Donald duck he drove a garbage truck he lived in a haunted house, with a naked mouse!! Oh , I have so many more too. Has anybody ever heard the story of Rikki Tikki Timbo and how he fell in the well. He had a really long name and they called him Rikki Tikki Timbo for short. Does anyone know that? It took me 3 days to learn his name 22 yrs ago and I still remember it, does anyone know what I am talking about????