Stickball Sunday

I moved to Brooklyn in May and as with any business and move it takes some time to build clients and a network so I've been making a real point to shoot stuff that I want to be shooting for my personal self.  The funny thing about photography is the more you do it, the more you want to do it.  You get all these crazy ideas, most of which get shut down, but you just keep chipping away at them.  


Back to Stickball, coming from growing up in Canada, I had never heard of the sport. New sports are so fun to shoot, so I reached out to Skylar Mercado on Instagram and was pleasantly invited to come join any Sunday morning at Stickball Avenue in the Bronx—formerly Steve Mercado Avenue (RIP).


This game is pure NYC legend. Dating back to the 1750s, stickball is a street version of baseball with a few twists—no pitcher, no catcher. You toss your own ball and swing, and if you hit it in you run to the next base, like baseball. Traditionally, it’s played with a broom handle and a Spaldeen high-bounce ball, right there in the middle of the block. Your bat length, thickness and grip are a personal preference.


When you show up with a camera, it can take a minute for people to feel comfortable—and for me to connect with them. You can’t just hide in the background if you want real, authentic shots. I introduced myself, hung out, quickly I felt comfortable sticking my camera in peoples faces.


It's great vibes and high energy


The street shuts down completely. Every team is accompanied by families and friends, every team sets up a little base camp coordinating, pop-up tents for shade, BBQ smoke in the air, folding chairs lining the block kids darting between games—it’s a true community scene. Many of these players have been swinging since childhood, so while it’s all love, the competition is fierce. They play every Sunday through spring and summer, unless it rains, and even livestream the games on Instagram.


That day, eight teams showed up, with players from all over—Manhattan, New Jersey, and beyond. Watching them, you realize this isn’t just a game. It’s history, culture, and family all in one.


If you’re in New York City and want a taste of real street sports culture, head to the Bronx on a Sunday morning. Learn more at

Ny Stickball

Low angle view of a street sign intersection showing Stickball Street and Steve Mercado Street against utility pole and sky.
Several wooden bats and sticks lying on a concrete surface with colorful grip tape wrappings.
Group of people engaged in street dance activities against urban backdrop.
Baseball players in navy uniforms run across a paved surface in a dynamic sequence of action shots.
Wide shot of people gathered along a green wall with apartment buildings visible in the background.
Athletic player in dark uniform swings a bat at a ball in an urban setting.
Low angle view of basketball teammates in light blue jerseys joining hands together in a huddle formation.
Baseball fans in matching light blue shirts sit under a canopy tent at an outdoor sporting event.
Baseball player in blue jersey and grey shorts swings bat during outdoor batting practice against green wall backdrop.
Baseball player swings at pitch while catcher crouches behind home plate during outdoor game.
Baseball player in light blue jersey reacting enthusiastically while wearing sunglasses and American flag bandana.
Small crowd of medical personnel and bystanders working together to assist someone in an emergency situation.
Two orange street hockey balls held in hands with wooden sticks visible in the background.
Dancer performs animated moves during street dance performance.
A person wearing black throws a flying disc during a disc golf game against a bright overcast sky.
Player in red shirt practices stickball swing form against green wall while spectators watch in background.
Close-up shots of players in orange jerseys signing autographs on baseball equipment outdoors.
A baseball player in black athletic wear practices batting at an outdoor court with green walls in the background.
Runner in purple striped jersey and black shorts sprinting on outdoor pavement during competition.
Three people sit in camping chairs along a green wall while waiting outside in casual clothes.
Motion blur captures person in black clothing performing dynamic dance moves against a green wall.
Group of basketball players in action on an outdoor court, showing multiple plays in different frames of movement.
A group of people gathered under a covered outdoor area enjoying a casual social gathering.
A collage of six baseball players in white pinstriped uniforms smiling and laughing together against a green background.
Players resting on a bench beside a dark green wall during a baseball game.
Baseball players in pinstripe jerseys high five and celebrate during a game on a sunny afternoon.
Long line of people waiting outside with tents and American flags at an outdoor event.
Players practice stickball on an urban street court with a green wall and spectators watching from the sidelines.
Baseball player in red jersey swings a bat during practice against green wall background.
Athlete in light blue jersey taking a powerful swing on an outdoor sports field.
Baseball player in purple uniform and cap swings a bat during indoor practice session.
Baseball players warming up and practicing batting drills on an outdoor diamond with fences and buildings visible.
Baseball player in red shorts swings a bat during a street game with motion blur effect.
People in casual clothing interact during what appears to be a street dance gathering.
Group of players in blue jerseys celebrating with high fives on outdoor court.
A person in a Yankees baseball cap smiling at the camera.
Three people in casual athletic wear stand in a batting lineup along a concrete wall at a batting cage facility.
Two players high-fiving during a casual outdoor game with apartment buildings in background.
A group of people standing along a green wall while someone plays stickball in an urban setting.
People in sports-themed attire gather against a green wall for a social event or game.
Player in red shorts demonstrates dynamic stickball batting stance sequence on urban court with green wall.
People in orange jerseys playing sports on an asphalt surface with spectators in the background.
Players on a baseball field stretching together in a line before a game against a green wall backdrop.
A group of people express excitement and joy during an outdoor gathering on a sunny day.
Players practicing basketball moves on an outdoor court with dark green walls.
Baseball fans in team jerseys celebrate excitedly together at an outdoor gathering.
A person performs an impressive roller skating jump on a street surrounded by onlookers.
An athlete in white jersey and green shorts running during a sporting event.
Dancers perform breakdancing moves on pavement in front of a green wall.
Person in athletic wear performs advanced sliding dance moves on a concrete surface.
Motion-blurred action shot of someone running in dark clothing.
Three men lean against a green wall wearing casual attire with one wearing a Puerto Rico shirt.
Baseball player in blue jersey swings a bat during an outdoor game.
A side profile view of someone in a white t-shirt and black baseball cap with braided hair.
Person in red t-shirt smiling outdoors at sporting event.
A person in a New Era baseball cap and navy jacket smiles while seated at an event.
Baseball players watching a game unfold from behind a fence at the field.
Two teammates share a friendly fist bump while wearing baseball uniforms during an outdoor game.
Group of dancers interacting during an informal street gathering.
Player in white shirt practices batting position while lying on ground near green wall.
Someone practicing their baseball swing at a batting cage with apartment buildings visible in the background.
Player in red uniform running on outdoor court with motion blur effect.
Baseball players in colorful jerseys taking batting practice under a red tent.
Person in red shorts demonstrates low crouching position during stickball game on concrete court.
Player wearing striped baseball jersey smiles while holding batting stance during practice.
Player in teal and blue uniform crouches at starting position during outdoor sporting event.
Player in blue jersey and patterned shorts jumps on an outdoor court during a sports game.
A player swings a bat during a street baseball game against a green wall background.
Player in red t-shirt demonstrates dramatic follow-through swing motion during urban stickball game.
Two baseball players engaged in animated discussion while standing on outdoor field.
A person in black running past a green wall with motion blur effect.
People playing sports and socializing at an outdoor community event near a fence.
A sequence showing a person in black clothing playing stickball or baseball on a street court.
A lively group conversation between people standing near a scoreboard at a baseball diamond.
Athletes in motion during a street game with blurred action effect.
Happy supporters celebrate together at an outdoor sporting event on a sunny day.