I grew up a suburb kid in California, have heard of stickball, never played. I loved reading about all your fond memories of these games, makes me wish I had been around to play too. I would like to guess that the origin of the name Pensie Pinky comes from the fact that the Pennsylvania Keystone was printed on the ball, Pensie might be a nickname for Pennsylvania (?).
Hinder is a termed used in handball when interference occurs. Your opponent hindered your attempt to return the ball.
What is the origin of “Hin-do” for do-over? I make a guess that it might be Germanic, “hinter” means back, like in Berlin they have buildings set up in such ways that there is a front-house and a back-house (hinterhaus). In which case, it is maybe a Yiddish usage. I’m perhaps being redundant: to go back and do over.
Yo Nieves from Booklyn.Much respect to you.But the reason You dont like the spalding is that the ones ther are making now are nothimg like the one from the days.I grew up on the lower east side in nyc in the 70s.The spalding they use to make was made in such a way that you could not squeeze it.If you played stickball or stoop it use to take off.The new ones are nothing like the old ones.If I ever get a hand on a old school ball I will write you and send one to you.Take care Ralph LES
I have to admit, I’ve never met Steve. Before this tradgedy, I hadn’t even known of Steve. But now, whenever I type my own name into a web search, I am reminded of the horrible events of that day. After doing a little research on this site and others, I have come to know what a wonderful man Steve was and how he lived his life, a lover of stickball and of course, giving back to his community and reaching out to others. He truly gives good meaning to name ‘Steve Mercado’ and should not be forgotten for the wonderful life that he lived. With much regards, -Steve M. Mercado, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
this website gives spaldeen a lot of cred, i got tired of that big pink ball that got no bounce to it after a while, not to mention that it cost me 2.00, i prefer to go to the bodega on the corner and pick up a blue sky-bounce ball for 1.00, can anyone back me up that skybounce is better?
War and Spud, around my neighborhood, West Philly, was called Baby In The Air. Don, I also remember, Wallball, loved it. We played in the back of our houses, across the narrow, one lane driveways. Threw the ball against one house and had to hit the opposite house’s wall, try to avoid the kitchen windows. Some guys were great in just being able to ‘grease the wall’