this is an all out challenge i coach a group of kids in the east harlem projects where i grew up and if any 1 who is reading this reach me at justussports [at] yahoo [dot] com i have pics on my facebook page look up angelo martinez pics also on myspace.com/justussports..it would be cool to hear from any 1 because we r the bestttttt we play with pocker chips the best
I don’t know how far apart the manhole covers were where I played, but there were players that could hit a spaldeen four sewers on teams in the South Bronx, Harlem and Little Italy. You didn’t see it often. Only the hard hitters could do it and they usually were Chops with the wind. This was back in the 1950’s.
I don’t know how far apart the manhole covers were where I played, but there were players that could hit a spaldeen four sewers on teams in the South Bronx, Harlem and Little Italy. You didn’t see it often. Only the hard hitters could do it and they usually were Chops with the wind. This was back in the 1950’s.
In the 1950’s there were great Stickball teams in New York. In the South Bronx(Jackson Knights, Lucky Sevens, Tigers), Italian Harlem (Pleasant Avenue), Spanish Harlem (Prestos, Home Relief, Devils), Little Italy (Mott Street), and Hell’s Kitchen (66th Street). These were tough smart teams that knew how to win close games, especially low scoring games. Many of the South Bronx players were still playing in the 1980’s and winning when they were well past their prime. Every good team thinks they were the best ever, but it would be interesting to hear from people who saw the Sixtyboys and the above 1950 teams play to get a real comparison. The Knights, Tigers, Sevens and Pleasant Avenue played hitting by-your-self and on-a-pitch. Mott Street played hitting by-your-self and the Prestos, Home Relief, Devils and 66th street played on-a pitch.
In late 1930 there was a team in east harlem called the “Black Diomonds” they were a great team. Jimmy powers sports editor of the daily news used to write about them. Newsweek, had an artical about them also. I am 79 and remember a few of the player by ther first names. There is one player who was know as the Babe Ruth of the team.His name (only one I know by the full name)Johnny Brunelli and belongs in the hall of fame.For more info contact me at e-mail ..abbey47 [at] sbcglobal [dot] net
yeah but the tops at toycrafters aren’t like the one’s we used to play with. As I recall we played with two different types of tops in the Harlem River Projects. We used to buy them at this store on Bradhurst Avenue called the “Peace Store”. None of the tops had any manufacturer’s markings on them and they were red, blue or green. I can’t remember if they came in yellow too. Anyway, most of the tops we played with had steel points. We also played with tops we called “Ball Bearings” because instead of a sharp steel point they had round points on the end. These ball bearing tops were also larger than the other steel point tops. I would be curious to know who actually made these two types of tops in the mid to late 60’s and early 70’s. I’ve seen some of the steel point tops around but I haven’t seen any of the ball bearing tops.
These guys are not in the Stickball Hall of Fame but certainly belong there. They used to play for the Little Italy team that played against the great Puerto Rican teams from Spanish Harlem and the Bronx in the late 50s and early 60s. Whoever had the opportunity to witness a game between the Italians and the Puerto Ricans on Mulberry Street on a Sunday afternoon saw stickball at its best. Both teams had outstanding hitters and fielders. And, unbelievable hustle and heart! Members from the Italian team 1. Vinny Head 2. Big Gary 3. Eddie Poop 4. Jimmy Alber 5. Tiger 6. Beansy 7. Jimmy Tips 8. Mike Fink 9. Smitty 10. Angie Bird 11. Maxie 12. Billy Bonds