Kampwirth Views

• Books

The sharp of a severed syringe is clamped to one end of the hose, and to the other a small, 250 CC air compressor. From the dashboard, Eliza grabs a pink ball -- indistinguishable in size and consistency from a racquetball -- eyes a random spot on it, and eases in the needle. He flips on the compressor and counts off seven seconds before sliding it out. Plugging the pinpoint rupture with his thumb, he hands the ball to Espada, who draws a viscous rubber cement from a jar with a separate syringe, inserts the sharp into the same hole, and plunges out a touch to seal it. [+] EnlargeKevin Kampwirth

There's an inclination to think it would be easier to hit a self-pitched ball, but it requires an extraordinary amount of timing and dexterity do it correctly. For one thing, the bat is thinner and the ball tinier than those in baseball. Similar to golf, a batter has only himself to blame when he dribbles one off or whiffs, and even the best hitters are often humbled at the plate. Foul lines are painted or chalked on the street at a 45-degree angle from the top left-hand corners of first and third base, delineating the space batters have to work with. [+] EnlargeKevin Kampwirth

While its exact origins are up for debate, most accounts depict a game that rapidly began gaining popularity in early 1920s New York City. Baseball had firmly taken its place as America's favorite pastime, and kids, hoping to emulate their heroes, saw an opportunity. Stymied by an urban environment unforgiving to the rules of baseball, they made do with doctored mop handles, parked cars and manhole covers. Sewers ran every 100 feet down the middle of streets. One was designated home plate, and the subsequent one second base. Halfway between, stationary markers -- often a parked car or a lamppost -- acted as first and third. Mop and broom handles and hollow Spalding rubber balls rounded out the equipment -- and as always, no gloves -- just your bare hands. The balls were known as pinkies, owing to their color, or spaldeens courtesy of a thick New York accent. [+] EnlargeKevin Kampwirth

KAMPWIRTH JOHN A. “JACK” KAMPWIRTH AGE 61 CFD RETIRED VETERAN U.S. ARMY VIETNAM BELOVED HUSBAND OF MARY M. KAMPWIRTH NEE DAVI LOVING FATHER OF JACK JR CFD((TAMMIE) AND LISA (CHRIS) BEISSMANN CHERISHED GRANDFATHER OF SEAN, ERIN, BRIANNA, DYLAN, SAMANTHA AND HAYLEY DEAR BROTHER OF LINDA(TED) GUIDO, DAN(MARY) AND VICKI JOHNSON FOND UNCLE TO MANY NIECES AND NEPHEWS VISITATION FRIDAY 3-9PM FUNERAL SATURDAY 9:45 AM FROM THE ANDREW J. MCGANN AND SON FUNERAL HOME 10727 S. PULASKI RD. ST CHRISTINA CHURCH FOR MASS AT 10:30AM INTERMENT ST. MARY CEMETERY 773 783-7700 OR 708 423-5400 WWW.ANDREWMCGANN.COM