Block:Pize Ball

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Pize Ball (21 entries)

Pize Ball in West Yorkshire on July 27 1833

Block Game	Pize Ball
Date	Saturday, July 27, 1833
Location	West Yorkshire
Data	“Pies ball” was the game being played by group of teenage girls in Leeds, West Yorkshire, when they were allegedly attacked by several young men, according to testimony in a rape trial where the defendants were ultimately acquitted because several witnesses said they saw the girls laughing with the men after the supposed attack took place. “On the evening of the 10th of June, (Sarah Smith) got home about seven o'clock from her work. She remained at home about half-an-hour, and then went to Richmond-hill, with Fanny Shaw, Harriet Dunwell, Alice Varey, Ann Dunwell, and others, to play at 'pies ball.'
Notes
Sources	Leeds Intelligencer, July 27, 1833, p. 3
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Pize Ball in Durham, Northumberland, Cumbria on May 25 1850

Block Game	Pize Ball
Date	Saturday, May 25, 1850
Location	Durham, Northumberland, Cumbria
Data	“Pie ball” was played by students of the St. John's Sunday School of Gateshead Fell, Durham, who had travelled to the village of Gilsland on the Northumberland-Cumbria border for their customary Whit-Monday outing: “On arriving at Rose Hill station, they proceeded up the stream to enjoy themselves with the amusements of sack racing, foot racing, and pie ball, of which Mr. Atkinson took an active part in keeping good order.”
Notes	“Pie ball,” I believe, was the Geordie name for the game otherwise known as pize-ball, pise-ball or pies-ball in the area of Leeds.
Sources	Newcastle Guardian and Tyne Mercury, May 25, 1850, p. 4
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Pize Ball in Northumberland on July 25 1861

Block Game	Pize Ball
Date	Thursday, July 25, 1861
Location	Northumberland
Data	“Pie-ball” was among the amusements offered at the annual gala picnic of the friends of the Young Men's Temperance Association of Gosforth, Northumberland, which at the time was a suburban area of Newcastle. “For the entertainment of this vast host, a great number of varied means of amusement were provided. In one part of the grounds Aunt Sally reared her venerable but much-abused head; in another, archery and rifle-tunnels were the chief attractions; whilst quoit, crickets (sic), and pie-ball all found their ardent supporters. The green sward was covered with groups of young folks, either footing it merrily to strains of a violin, or engaged in the favoured sports of tarzey, and kiss-in-the-ring.”
Notes	Tarzey?
Sources	Newcastle Journal, July 25, 1861, p. 2
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Pize Ball in West Yorkshire in 1862

Block Game	Pize Ball
Date	1862
Location	West Yorkshire
Data	The words “pize” and “pize-ball” were defined in a glossary of the local dialect of the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire. “Pize. To throw a ball gently for another to bat with the open hand, as at the game of “Pize-ball,” in which the 'pizer' 'pizes' the ball to a number in succession, who run to different places called 'hobs,' where they remain till they have a chance of escape. If one of them is hit with the ball while running, he or she becomes the 'pizer.' If all happen to be 'pized out,' the 'homey' is 'burnt,' i.e,the ball is thrown straight to the ground, and the last in the 'ring' has to go back, pick it up, and become the 'pizer.'
Notes
Sources	The Dialect of Leeds and Its Neighborhood, by Robinson C. Clough, London, 1862, John Russell Smith, pp. 385-386
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Pize Ball in Durham, Northumberland on June 28 1862

Block Game	Pize Ball
Date	Saturday, June 28, 1862
Location	Durham, Northumberland
Data	The game of “pie-ball” was among the entertainments enjoyed at a large picnic held on the grounds of Brancepeth Castle near the city of Durham by a combined group of teachers, friends and students of the U.P. Church Sabbath School and the Sunday Schools connected with the St. James Chapel, both of Newcastle, Northumberland. “The company amused themselves in rambling around the park, visiting the objects of interest in the grounds, and in various games. Cricket, football, pie-ball, and other games had their supporters, and were all carried out with unflagging till the close of day, when the company betook themselves to the train and safely arrived in Newcastle at half past ten.”
Notes
Sources	Newcastle Guardian and Tyne Mercury, June 28, 1862, p. 5
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Pize Ball in Northumberland on June 25 1863

Block Game	Pize Ball
Date	Thursday, June 25, 1863
Location	Northumberland
Data	“Pie-ball” was played at a picnic by members of a large party of literary and theological students who had taken a train from Newcastle to a park in the town of Alnwick, Northumberland, for the occasion. “The day was remarkably fine, and the park, so famous for his beauty and extent, presented a gay appearance, relieved as its natural advantages were with the associations of tersie, cricket, pie-ball, &c. The admirers of mediæval remains strolled in groups to the old abbey, and others whose tastes were less romantic were content to amuse themselves in the pastimes to which reference has been made.”
Notes	Tersie or terzy is an elaborate tag game that was popular in Tyneside. There was no ball involved.
Sources	Newcastle Daily Chronicle, June 25, 1863, p. 2
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Pize Ball in Northumberland on June 26 1863

Block Game	Pize Ball
Date	Friday, June 26, 1863
Location	Northumberland
Data	“Pie-ball” was again played at a picnic in rural Northumberland, this one held for members and friends of the United Methodist Free Church of Newcastle, along with students attending the church's Sabbath schools. The large party traveled by train to the coastal village of Warkworth with its historic castle and hermitage. Following a very delightful meal, according to a newspaper report, “the excursionists set about enjoying themselves, and by their hearty manner it was apparent that their 'outing' was going to be made the most of. Pie-ball, tarsey, 'the widow,' and other games were freely engaged in, as well as foot-ball, quoits, and others more masculine in their character, till tired nature was obliged to seek a moment's rest before commencing again the almost endless round of amusements.”
Notes	Notwithstanding their considerable similarities, this was not the same event as the one reported in the same newspaper a day earlier; the parties were difference and Warkworth is a good eight miles distant from Alnwick. The game “tarsey” is the same the one called tersie above. “The widow” is a children's singing game.
Sources	Newcastle Daily Chronicle, June 26, 1863, p. 2
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Pize Ball in Durham on October 29 1863

Block Game	Pize Ball
Date	Thursday, October 29, 1863
Location	Durham
Data	A game of “pie-ball” was played as a grim act of defiance by some of 1200 striking miners and their family members who were being evicted from their homes in the pit town of Willington, county Durham, by policemen working on behalf of the colliery owners. “During the whole of the morning and afternoon the wretched work was carried on actively by those engaged in it, and as the day began to draw to a close, the number of houses with closed doors and windows in the village became very noticeable. But all the time the indifference displayed by the miners was never changed. Whilst the policemen and their assistants were busily engaged removing the furniture in one street, in front of the next row of houses might be seen a score of men and boys playing at pie-ball, with as much zest as though they were enjoying a pleasant and well-earned holiday.”
Notes
Sources	Newcastle Journal, Oct. 29, 1863, p. 3
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Pize Ball in Northumberland on April 28 1865

Block Game	Pize Ball
Date	Friday, April 28, 1865
Location	Northumberland
Data	“Pie-ball” was one of the games played at a day-long celebration of a wedding in the small village of Earsdon in Northumberland, just northeast of Newcastle. A newspaper reported that “the afternoon was spent by the young people of Earsdon at a field in the east end of the village, from whence a beautiful view of the sea was obtainable, in a variety of innocent games, such as foot-ball, kite-flying, pie-ball, and the like.”
Notes
Sources	Newcastle Journal, April 28, 1865, p. 2
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Pize Ball in West Yorkshire on October 10 1874

Block Game	Pize Ball
Date	Saturday, October 10, 1874
Location	West Yorkshire
Data	The name “pie-ball” was mentioned in a traveller's journal that was serialized in a Leeds, West Yorkshire, newspaper. The writer described his stay at an inn in the Swiss Alps where he was reading through the guest book and coming across the names of friends of his who had stayed there previously. “Here is the well-known handwriting of Jack my old schoolfellow, who has become famous since we played together at pie-ball and prisoner's base.”
Notes
Sources	Leeds Mercury, Oct. 10, 1874, p. 12
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Pize Ball in West Yorkshire on August 9 1879

Block Game	Pize Ball
Date	Saturday, August 9, 1879
Location	West Yorkshire
Data	“Pise-ball” was compared to rounders and baseball in a Leeds, West Yorkshire, newspaper article entitled “Child Life in America: “The national game of America is 'rounders' or 'pise-ball' developed to a science. It is more exciting than cricket. Whether it requires as great a degree of skill is a question which the country of cricket is not likely to decide in favour of the country of base-ball; but there is no doubt that when played according to rule—and it is seldom played otherwise—it is a game in which spectators take almost an equal interest with the participants.”
Notes
Sources	Leeds Mercury, Aug. 9, 1879, p. 1
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Pize Ball in South Yorkshire on September 10 1881

Block Game	Pize Ball
Date	Saturday, September 10, 1881
Location	South Yorkshire
Data	“Pies ball” was one of the games played by youngsters attending the Sunday School connected to the United Methodist Free Church of Barnsley, a large town in South Yorkshire, at an afternoon celebration of the school's anniversary. The children were directed to a nearby cricket field, where, according to a newspaper report, “a plentiful supply of nuts and fruit was indiscriminately distributed among the scholars, and a number of games, including football, leap-frog, kiss-in-the-ring, and pies ball, were extensively indulged in.”
Notes
Sources	Barnsley Chronicle, Sept. 10, 1881, p. 8
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Pize Ball in South Yorkshire on July 28 1883

Block Game	Pize Ball
Date	Saturday, July 28, 1883
Location	South Yorkshire
Data	“Pie's Ball” was identified as on of the amusements enjoyed by adults and children at a fundraising garden party hosted by the sewing circle of the United Methodist Free Church of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. After tea, a number of attendees took part in games of cricket and Aunt Sally while, according to a newspaper report, “in other parts of the grounds such games as 'Jolly Miller,' 'Pie's Ball,' and 'Tease 'em' were extensively indulged in, whilst a mixed, though select, company were observed to be wandering about in a state of unsettled rest. Eventually they retired to an obscure place, and commenced a game known as 'Kiss in the Ring.' Although this was not largely or popularly attended, many seemed to be anxiously looking in the direction in which the game was practised, and yet had not the courage of their convictions.”
Notes
Sources	Barnsley Chronicle, July 28, 1883, p. 8
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Pize Ball in Lancashire on October 8 1892

Block Game	Pize Ball
Date	Saturday, October 8, 1892
Location	Lancashire
Data	The game “pize ball” appeared as an analogy in a newspaper column about a football match between the Burnley (Lancashire) team and Sheffield. The writer was critical of the shots taken by one of the Burnley forwards, and referring to the Sheffield goalie wrote: “A critic declares that some of the shots which Allen had to clear reminded him of his youth when he played at 'pize ball.' In other words, they were far too gentle.”
Notes
Sources	Cricket and Football Field (Burnley), Oct. 8, 1892, p. 2
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Pize Ball in West Yorkshire on August 19 1893

Block Game	Pize Ball
Date	Saturday, August 19, 1893
Location	West Yorkshire
Data	“Pise-ball” was mentioned in a letter written by an 11-year-old girl from Earlsheaton, West Yorkshire, that appeared in a Leeds newspaper column entitled “The Children's Corner,” the letter apparently having been submitted as part of some sort of contest. “ Went to a farmhouse to our teas, it was out of the park, and we saw a lot of flowers and a peacock, and it got to the top of the house. We played at rings and pise ball, we went in a waggonette, and we saw a man's and a woman's head made of stone.”
Notes
Sources	Leeds Times, Aug. 19, 1893, p. 2
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Pize Ball in West Yorkshire on March 23 1903

Block Game	Pize Ball
Date	Monday, March 23, 1903
Location	West Yorkshire
Data	A newspaper writer worked the term “pise-ball” into a critical newspaper report of a football game between the Hunslet club of Leeds, West Yorkshire, and the Oldham club of Manchester. In an apparent putdown of the home club, he wrote: “Then again, the passing of the Hunslet backs resembled pise-ball more than anything else.”
Notes
Sources	Leeds Mercury, March 23, 1903, p. 8
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Pize Ball in South Yorkshire on July 25 1904

Block Game	Pize Ball
Date	Monday, July 25, 1904
Location	South Yorkshire
Data	“Pise-ball” was named as one of the games played at the annual excursion for children of the St. Philip's Church of Sheffield, South Yorkshire: “After tea, the children passed an enjoyable afternoon in an adjoining field playing at cricket, pise-ball, skipping, etc.”
Notes
Sources	Sheffield Daily Telegraph, July 25, 1904, p. 5
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Pize Ball in South Yorkshire on August 20 1921

Block Game	Pize Ball
Date	Saturday, August 20, 1921
Location	South Yorkshire
Data	“Pise-ball” was mentioned in a newspaper column where the writer was protesting how children were being deprived of their opportunities to play games in a Sheffield park because so many adults were swarming in to play sports. He wrote: “The point is that the children are being robbed 'all ends up,' to use a local term. Adults are catered for by works and church sports clubs, and it is not fair to rob the children of their cricket pitches, their football grounds, or their 'pise-ball' corners.”
Notes
Sources	Sheffield Daily Telegraph, Aug. 20, 1921, p. 8
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Pize Ball in South Yorkshire on September 5 1922

Block Game	Pize Ball
Date	Tuesday, September 5, 1922
Location	South Yorkshire
Data	“Pise-ball” was mentioned in a newspaper piece commemorating a Sheffield teacher's 40 years of service. During her time at the school, according to the article, “there have been exactly 5,378 Abbeyville girls, who have lined up in the mornings, played 'pise-ball' in the corner by the boys' school, squatted around on the tennis pole stones on hot afternoons, and made slides down the playground on frosty ones.”
Notes
Sources	Sheffield Daily Telegraph, Sept. 5, 1922, p. 3
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Pize Ball in South Yorkshire on January 16 1928

Block Game	Pize Ball
Date	Monday, January 16, 1928
Location	South Yorkshire
Data	“Pise-ball” was mentioned in another newspaper column, this one entitled “A Crying Need: More Town Playgrounds for Children.” The writer wrote: “What they need in the hours in which they are not in school, is a space large enough to be swept by the swift, sweet, cleansing winds of heaven, and open enough to be drenched in light and all the sunshine there is to be had. A space which is their own, where they are out of street dangers, both physical and moral, and have room for the free play of their lungs and limbs without getting in one another's way. A space where organised games, football, cricket, tennis, hockey, pise-ball can be played, and the cooperative spirit, the community sense, be engendered.”
Notes
Sources	Sheffield Daily Telegraph, Jan. 16, 1928, p. 2
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Pize Ball in West Yorkshire on May 28 1958

Block Game	Pize Ball
Date	Wednesday, May 28, 1958
Location	West Yorkshire
Data	“Pize-ball” was included in a childhood reminiscence of a Shipley, West Yorkshire, man recalling how he celebrated Whitsuntide 50 years earlier. A newspaper reported that among other things, “different games were played, 'pize' ball, kissing in the ring, etc.”
Notes
Sources	Shipley Times and Express, May 28, 1958, p. 2
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