For some kids in Eastie, half ball was the game of choice. All you needed was a stick (an old broom) a “pimple ball” cut in half, a curb and a nice quiet street. No gloves were needed. Concrete took the place of grass, which was in short supply back in the day.
Today, current and former residents who played half ball on East Boston streets (those Fields of Dreams) in the 1960s and 1970s are now in their sixties and seventies — forever young! For a few years now, these men are still aiming for the fences (or perhaps the side of a school wall for a grand slam). The spring in their steps may be gone but the spirit remains. The 10 teams who compete annually renew their special connections for a good cause. Money raised from the event goes toward a scholarship for a senior from East Boston High School.
This year’s tourney takes place at Constitution Beach on Sunday, September 11, 2022 at 9 a.m.
To learn more about this veritable and not-forgotten tradition, check out a 2018 story on WCVB’s Chronicle about East Boston half ball.
Sounds like a lot of fun.
Play ball!