Category Archives: Brooklyn
I’ve read through some responses,…
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I’ve read through some responses, they’re great…brings back alot of memories. In South Brooklyn, we must have been poorer or somethin’ ’cause we used the street tar for cap fillers and rubbed the cap down (both sides) on the sidewalk, preferably a rough one, to get them smooth as silk so they could glide across the court. Anyone else remember that?
Was Three steps to Germany…
I played hundreds &…
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I played hundreds & hundreds of stickball games in the ’50’s and 60’s, and it was mostly “fungo,” which we called “hitting out.” 2 sewers was an incredible shot; on the roof = out (lost ball). The best part of the rules was that WE MADE THEM, NOT SOME LITTLE LEAGUE OFFICE SUITS! We learned how to get along–to argue, but how to give in (“Okay, cheater–you can have your way! Let’s play!), and was that ever empowering (although we never heard that word). I’m 50, and I’m ready for someone to “call on me” to play next Saturday morning! Whattayousay? I STILL have my stickball bat from Brooklyn (circa 1968)…
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What a great day. All kinds of dialogue going on around from broad philosophical conversations on the meaning of sports for kids, to heated debates on the real rules of skully and whether or not the Bronx rules should apply here in Brooklyn (Masta Blasta Hugh McNally is a Bronx boy). The mood here has been fantastic. Anyone who’s come by has said how great it was. We’ve had a constant line of people ranging in age from 3 to 70 come by to take a swing with their choice of stickball bat. The hardest part of the day has been maintaining the computer connection. Several times we lost network connection (we’re wireless and coverage in this non-residential, non-commercial zone is weak). Well, now the batteries are failing – will have to post more pics sometime tommorow – Great day
Hey all, My day…
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Hey all, My day here in Brooklyn as Skully Masta Blasta has been great! I’ve taught the kids, beaten the adults (who knew the game), and done more deep knee bends than my knees ever should do in a single day. All in all, it’s glorious. Simply glorious. -Hugh M. McNally hmcnally [at] westnet [dot] com
I grew up in Bensonheurst…
Back in my neighborhood…
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Back in my neighborhood in South Brooklyn, no one had a pool — not even the kiddie pool. The park in our neighboorhood, Carroll park, was divided into 3 sections and covered an entire block. One end section was the kiddie section — with kiddie swings, slides, and seesaws. There was a large rectangular section in the middle that was two steps down and surrounded by a wrought iron fence. At each end was a sprinkler. Everyone who didn’t hit the beaches in the hot weather, hit Carroll Park to play under the sprinklers and splash around. The easiest way to cool off if the johnny pumps weren’t open!!
I grew up in Greenpoint…
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I grew up in Greenpoint Brooklyn on Manhattan Ave. I was making my communion in May of ’61. Before we went to church my buddies Kevin and Rob were on India Street playing stickball. There was still an hour before we had to leave, so I snuck out of the apartment while my mother wasn’t looking. I didn’t have time to change out of my suit. We were winning by 1 run until I tripped on my way to second, and shredded the knees right off my communion pants. I had ten minutes before I had to be at St. Cyril’s to make my communion so I rushed home, picturing my mothers angry expression when she’d see my torn suit. My mother was furios, but we got to church only a couple minutes late.
I remember playing hopscotch…
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I remember playing hopscotch with 8 boxes (no rounded top.) We used key chains to throw into each box but not to touch any of the lines or your turn is over. After you successfully hop thru all 8 boxes you continued back to the 1st box.Once that is completed we now played the 2nd half of the game called “potsy” which entailed hopping on 1 foot only! Also with the same rules of not steping on the lines. That’s how we played hopscotch in Bay Ridge Brooklyn in the 60’s.