29 thoughts on “SATURDAY MORNING IN THE SCHOOLYARD”
John Biessaid:
That schoolyard was the greatest place to spend your childhood. The area pictured was where home plate was located for many many “sponge all softball games. At night, it was the drinking place for underage youth like me who lost our way. Great friendships were forged there. Jack Kelly was a graduate of that schoolyard as well as myself, Cush’s, Cavaretta’s ,Van Pelts,,Troellers,Cummings, Cannucci’s, Passaretti’s to name a few. It also kept a lot of us out of jail because of the summer and winter leagues. In the summer you could get there at 9am and play softball, basketball football until 10pm and than on weekends ( forgot those hours). One of my best childhood memories.
When very young, had to get there at 9 to get a court before the big guys, Mills,Anton,Pascuzzi,Vesey, Jackie O’B,etc. got there.By 11 had to shoot on the sliding fence entrance and wait for a court to be free while those guys went to lunch.Stayed to 5-6. The oldest-best took the middle hoops, the rest for the rest.The ideal life-all-day hoops.
It sucked if you were outside on Howard Place. I used to love dunking on the fence…
Mudgesaid:
I am sorry to see that they eliminated the softball court in PS10s schoolyard. The unique dimensions and rules provided a great challenge to a ballplayer and some great games and gall players. I mentioned in past blogs nicknames were based on handicaps. Big Ears was Dumbo; Lost a finger became Nines; No teeth you became Gums Probably the worst was a windmill pitcher that played on the Jokers softball team. We called him Cripple Oliver. I do not know what caused his condition, but the only concession given him was that he was assigned a pinch runner. The only charity sought was by the batters that faced him. He was a winning pitcher and I was very proud to be associated with him.
As is said today, my bad
And I played stickball there, usually when HN yard was closed, for example, when the Bazaar was on..
I should have recognized it.
Anyone remember the Bazaar ?
The picture displayed is PS10’S but if you think about it the location is different but for our generation the stories,memories,competition,sports are all the same. The schoolyard was our generations computer,ipad and phone all in one. The best competition, friendships and athletes were found there. Would not trade it for all the computers and technology in the world.
Yes the picture is taken looking in at where home plate use to be. You seem to be a little bit younger the I . Did you know my kid brother his name is Jim Stretton he hung out with some of the names you have mentioned. Coolis not the word that replaced it stupid is . MUDGE
Jim is 69 I think and we lived on 18th. st between 7th and 8th. He hung out with Cavaretta. he might be 70 .
Redsaid:
Billy,
I am 51. Grew up on ninth avenue and Windsor Place. I was a fixture in the schoolyard.
Skinny as the poles that held the goals up.
GTrappsaid:
John, Well said….Very true, only those lucky enough to have actually grown up in the school yard environment/ culture know and agree with what you say.
On second thought,you guys are absolutely right. Toughness was an essential learned skill that we practiced. Not necessarily fist fighting as much as you learned to fit in , not be meek and in all those years no one ran home to get mommy and daddy.On the courts you took a certain amount of fouling and than you pushed back .Most times it resolved itself.On my visits to New York it never ceases to amaze me that all the schoolyards are empty. Holy Name schoolyard without someone from the Trapp family playing ball, or PS 10’s and absolutely no one playing softball. The kids of today are missing one of the best experiences. Recently read that college recruiters are wondering why they are not getting guys from New York anymore. Skills on the court are an acquired skillset from the schoolyards and they are empty.
They used to have a basketball rim near the 7th ave . end of the schoolyard with the brick wall as a backyard. It was terrible for playing. I guess they don’t see a need for a softball court. I played many a game there in day leagues, summer leagues, night leagues and weekends
Yo Jackie Kelly…
CONTAINER DIARIES 
John Bies said:
That schoolyard was the greatest place to spend your childhood. The area pictured was where home plate was located for many many “sponge all softball games. At night, it was the drinking place for underage youth like me who lost our way. Great friendships were forged there. Jack Kelly was a graduate of that schoolyard as well as myself, Cush’s, Cavaretta’s ,Van Pelts,,Troellers,Cummings, Cannucci’s, Passaretti’s to name a few. It also kept a lot of us out of jail because of the summer and winter leagues. In the summer you could get there at 9am and play softball, basketball football until 10pm and than on weekends ( forgot those hours). One of my best childhood memories.
Red said:
John,
I had so much respect for you guys. That schoolyard was very cool.
Hope all is well and thanks for adding to the blog.
Jim Casey said:
When very young, had to get there at 9 to get a court before the big guys, Mills,Anton,Pascuzzi,Vesey, Jackie O’B,etc. got there.By 11 had to shoot on the sliding fence entrance and wait for a court to be free while those guys went to lunch.Stayed to 5-6. The oldest-best took the middle hoops, the rest for the rest.The ideal life-all-day hoops.
Red said:
Jimmy,
“The sliding fence” entrance. Wasn’t that where we played taps?
Jim Casey said:
Yes it was
Red said:
It sucked if you were outside on Howard Place. I used to love dunking on the fence…
Mudge said:
I am sorry to see that they eliminated the softball court in PS10s schoolyard. The unique dimensions and rules provided a great challenge to a ballplayer and some great games and gall players. I mentioned in past blogs nicknames were based on handicaps. Big Ears was Dumbo; Lost a finger became Nines; No teeth you became Gums Probably the worst was a windmill pitcher that played on the Jokers softball team. We called him Cripple Oliver. I do not know what caused his condition, but the only concession given him was that he was assigned a pinch runner. The only charity sought was by the batters that faced him. He was a winning pitcher and I was very proud to be associated with him.
Red said:
Mudge,
That is great. Awesome nicknames.
GTrapp said:
Jim Casey, I’m thinking you are talking about HN schoolyard, picture is of PS10’s, am I mistaken, wouldn’t be 1st time if I am.
Jim Casey said:
As is said today, my bad
And I played stickball there, usually when HN yard was closed, for example, when the Bazaar was on..
I should have recognized it.
Anyone remember the Bazaar ?
Red said:
Jimmy the bazaar was cool…when my mom gave me money.
Mudge said:
Are you guys talking about two diffrent school yards Iam confused.
Red said:
Mudge,
That picture posted is from PS 10’s.
John Bies said:
The picture displayed is PS10’S but if you think about it the location is different but for our generation the stories,memories,competition,sports are all the same. The schoolyard was our generations computer,ipad and phone all in one. The best competition, friendships and athletes were found there. Would not trade it for all the computers and technology in the world.
Red said:
John,
The most important word in your comment is “Competition.” Cool has replaced it today…
Mudge said:
Yes the picture is taken looking in at where home plate use to be. You seem to be a little bit younger the I . Did you know my kid brother his name is Jim Stretton he hung out with some of the names you have mentioned. Coolis not the word that replaced it stupid is . MUDGE
Red said:
Mudge,
How old is Jim Stretton? Where did he live?
Mudge said:
Jim is 69 I think and we lived on 18th. st between 7th and 8th. He hung out with Cavaretta. he might be 70 .
Red said:
Billy,
I am 51. Grew up on ninth avenue and Windsor Place. I was a fixture in the schoolyard.
Skinny as the poles that held the goals up.
GTrapp said:
John, Well said….Very true, only those lucky enough to have actually grown up in the school yard environment/ culture know and agree with what you say.
Red said:
GT,
Toughness! I think that’s what many of us learned too. Today, not so much.
John Bies said:
On second thought,you guys are absolutely right. Toughness was an essential learned skill that we practiced. Not necessarily fist fighting as much as you learned to fit in , not be meek and in all those years no one ran home to get mommy and daddy.On the courts you took a certain amount of fouling and than you pushed back .Most times it resolved itself.On my visits to New York it never ceases to amaze me that all the schoolyards are empty. Holy Name schoolyard without someone from the Trapp family playing ball, or PS 10’s and absolutely no one playing softball. The kids of today are missing one of the best experiences. Recently read that college recruiters are wondering why they are not getting guys from New York anymore. Skills on the court are an acquired skillset from the schoolyards and they are empty.
Mudge said:
If you look close enough to thepicture there is no home plate no third base
John Bies said:
Home plate was to the right in the pic and 3rd base was in the forefront where that colored drawing is.
Mudge said:
John thats right my point is they they dont play softball anymore and thats the shame. I see they added a basketball poll to there credit.
holy2520name said:
They used to have a basketball rim near the 7th ave . end of the schoolyard with the brick wall as a backyard. It was terrible for playing. I guess they don’t see a need for a softball court. I played many a game there in day leagues, summer leagues, night leagues and weekends
Mudge said:
Red I know the diffrence inour age but John comes across around my brothers age.
Jim Casey said:
How long did HN play its CYO games in PS 10 ?
I know we did in ’58 and ’59.
Red said:
In 1977, I was playing my 7th grade games there.
No 8th grade team.
Didn’t have anyone to coach.
Loved PS 10’s.
We practiced there on Monday and Wednesday nights.
I recall when I was in the 5th grade, we had a house crew. I played one year up. Our team was coached by Danny Piselli. Visitation was our arch-rival.
The place was packed. They sold tickets at school.