Crossword clues for punchball
Wiktionary
n. 1 A simplified version of the sport of baseball, where players use their fists as a bat and a softer ball. 2 The soft ball used in this sport.
WordNet
n. an inflated ball or bag that is suspended and punched for training in boxing [syn: punching bag, punch bag, punching ball]
Wikipedia
Punchball is a sport spawned by and similar to baseball, but without a pitcher, catcher, or bat.
The " batter" essentially plays " fungo" without a bat, bouncing or tossing up the ball and then using a volleyball-type approach to put the ball (usually a spaldeen or pensie pinkie) in play, punching the ball with his fist. Stealing and bunting are not allowed.
Historian and baseball enthusiast Stephen Jay Gould referred to it as "the canonical recess game", and in The Boys of Summer baseball writer Roger Kahn described how when he grew up it was a boys game, as the girls played "slapball".
Baseball Hall of Famers Jackie Robinson, Sandy Koufax, and Yogi Berra played it growing up, as did sports team owner Jerry Reinsdorf, educator Frank Marascio, Senator Bernie Sanders,
-
and former US Secretary of State and general Colin Powell. Major league outfielder Rocky Colavito, when asked if he played punchball, answered "Play it? Man, that was my game. I liked to play that more than anything else ... anything. We used to play for money, too." It was also a pastime of football announcer Al Michaels, who often played with former Chicago Bears quarterback Sid Luckman.
Usage examples of "punchball".
When they got bored, they bounced them off the punchball square chalked on the wall.
Dylan had seen Alberto assume it, Lonnie too, once even Robert Woolfolk, to make a lopsided game of punchball, fast dissolved in scowls and a faked limp.
It gave onto a bathroom so big that there was a punchball set up in the middle.