ball game

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ball game

also ball·game (bôl′gām′)

a. Any of various games, such as baseball, played with a ball.

b. A game with religious and political significance in some pre-Columbian societies of Mesoamerica, southwestern North America, and the Caribbean, played with a rubber ball in a walled court.

2. Slang

a. A competition: "But in the winner-take-all world of politics, the contest for the undecided 2 or 3 percent can be the whole ballgame" (Brad Edmondson).

b. A particular condition, situation, or set of circumstances.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ball game

1. any game played with a ball

2. (Baseball) US and Canadian a game of baseball

3. a situation; state of affairs (esp in the phrase a whole new ball game)

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

ball′ game`

1. any game played with a ball.

2. a situation and all its attendant circumstances.

[1840–50, Amer.]

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Noun

ball game - a field game played with a ball (especially baseball)

ballgame

field game - an outdoor game played on a field of specified dimensions

baseball, baseball game - a ball game played with a bat and ball between two teams of nine players; teams take turns at bat trying to score runs; "he played baseball in high school"; "there was a baseball game on every empty lot"; "there was a desire for National League ball in the area"; "play ball!"

close - change one's body stance so that the forward shoulder and foot are closer to the intended point of impact

Translations

Ballspiel

ball game

n (gen) → gioco con la palla (Am) → partita di baseball
it's a whole new ball game (fam) → è un altro paio di maniche

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

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References in classic literature ?

"Come on!" urged the professor, much as one boy might urge another to take part in a ball game. "Don't let my rival get ahead of me."

View in context

Here are five easy basketball tips and drills for you to level up your ball game.

Level up your ball game with basketball tips and drills

CLAIMS a man's ear was 'ripped off ' during the 820th edition of the Atherstone Ball Game have been dismissed by event organisers.

Bloody scenes, no injuries, community and tradition

THE traditional Atherstone Ball Game descended into violent anarchy as one player reportedly had his ear torn off in a mass brawl.

Ball game turns to brawl game

820TH EDITION OF TRADITIONAL SHROVE TUESDAY EVENT IT is the roughest, toughest ball game of them all.

THE BRAWL GAME

Former Aston Villa manager Brian Little has been given the honour again of kick-starting Atherstone's historic ball game.

Former Aston Villa boss to start Atherstone Ball Game; It will be a brace for the former Villa manager

KARACHI -- In the City of Quaid women foot ball club playing a vital role and its activities as an unique Marta Women's foot ball club women department is working hard for the awareness of the foot ball game among the women's of pakistan.

Marta Women's Foot Ball Club has prepared the foot ball awareness program

Game of Dot (G.O.D) is an easy to play, spot the ball game where all you have to do is register online, buy your dots package and mark the spot using your skills where you believe the ball is in the picture.

Viaan Industries signs strategic offline distribution deal with Game of Dot

Located at the Centre Court, First Floor, Gumball fans will enjoy the unique activity zone, where children can carouse around numerous activations, including an interactive gaming station, a dodge ball game, blind folded games, photo opportunities with their favourite Gumball characters and an arts and crafts section.

Festival City hosts Gumball show

'Obviously, it was a perfectly officiated ball game, you can't really question the obvious,' said Racela with a straight face but with a heavy tone of sarcasm after the KaTropa moved on the brink of elimination in the semis.

Nash Racela throws shade at 'perfectly officiated ball game'

The annual Sedgefield ball game - played every Shrove Tuesday - took place yesterday with dozens of locals taking part.

After 900 years, we're all still having a ball!

"It's a different ball game if someone hurts their rib and they can go home and rest it for two weeks.