Before the Internet
by Frank Jovine on 09/10/2008 in Internet, Odd Stuff
If you’re a baby boomer, than you will appreciate this blog post. I was born in 1962 and raised in Queens, NY. We had to be creative when we were kids in order to have fun. We didn’t have gadgets, internet or computers.
So how did we have fun?
We played Stick Ball in alleys – Played just like baseball, but with no bases. You scored runs depending
on how many sewers your ball traveled without being caught.
We played Punch Ball – You hold a ball in one hand and throw it up so slightly and punch it. The game is played like baseball, with bases.
We played Stoop Ball – It’s a game where you throw a Spalding ball against steps and your opponents have to catch it. It’s played like baseball and depending on the distance the ball travels could range from a single to a home run.
We played War – This was a lot of fun because we had such a large playing field that consisted of alleys, doors and basements.
Other games included: Touch Football, Hide and Seek, Kick Ball and Wiffle Ball.
When it was raining out – we built models, painted, or played board games. We even played roller hockey in the basement.
Today, kids have digital addiction that can be good and bad. The good part about technology is that kid’s and even adults have information at their finger tips, but there is a bad side.
Kids today are far less physical, and that is why we have health issues that suggest more kids today are over-weight than kids from the baby boomer era. You hardly ever see kids playing outside, but if you go inside, you will notice that almost every kid is on a computer or playing on a game console.
Whatever happened to the good old days of playing outside?
Fool
Sep 10th, 2008
Hey! Those stoops look familiar! Of course they all did If I remember I was raised in Flushing lol the toilet of NY. Don’t forget the mischief all a part of growing up. My father was the super.. you know what I mean right?
Susie
Sep 10th, 2008
Don’t forget Running Bases & Ghost in the Graveyard!
Frank J
Sep 10th, 2008
I was raised in Astoria, I knew there was a reason I liked you!
Frank J
Sep 10th, 2008
Susie,
There are many others, but those are good ones as well!
Cats in to Lions
Sep 10th, 2008
I am glad in Srilanka kids have not lost the appeal for outdoor sports yet…Every corner of streets they still play cricket. Reminds me of my life 7 years back…
Fool
Sep 10th, 2008
fahhhhhh get aboud it
Frank J
Sep 10th, 2008
That’s good to know that the kids in Sri lanka are still playing outdoors
Frank J
Sep 10th, 2008
Fagetaboudit!
Jennifer
Sep 10th, 2008
This brings back such memories. I grew up around the same time on Long Island, but right on the border of Queens in Valley Stream. I forgot all about War and running bases. We definitely had much more outdoor time than kids today.
My kids ask me all the time how I lived without a computer? I tell them to wait until they have teens and there will be plenty of new things by then that their teens won’t believe they lived without.
Frank J
Sep 10th, 2008
Jennifer,
Wow! We were practically neighbors. I lived everywhere on Long Island and in the city for 41 years.
windra
Sep 10th, 2008
too bad i’m 80′s generation But i missed my 80′s…..all kid playing PSP now
Frank J
Sep 10th, 2008
80′s were fun for me as well.
Curt
Sep 10th, 2008
Great memories! Growing up in Texas, I was outside from morning until night in the summers.
But you had better be in ear shot at lunch and supper, or it’s big trouble!
The Linkback Project
Sep 11th, 2008
There is an outdoors?
al
Sep 13th, 2008
bullshit. you are not in that picture… you live in Pennsylvania. what kinda crap you tryin to pull?
Frank J
Sep 13th, 2008
Whatever you say, I live in Chi-Town now get a new crystal ball…..
Benny
Sep 14th, 2008
I dunno, I think this is a little exaggerated. The topic in general even as many people have made the point. I still see kids outside whenever I’m driving down the street. And with the wellness industry booming I think don’t think there is anything to regret.
Frank J
Sep 14th, 2008
Your point is fine, but your link has been removed. Nice try rookie