Nipsie

Nipsie was a game played in the coal regions around Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in the early 20th century. Its history can be traced back to the 14th century in Yorkshire, long before the 20th century. It was very popular in North England in the 18th and 19th century. Also known as knurr and spell.

The game required a bat and a short length of wood with sharpened ends – which was named the "nipsie". Both of these were usually carved out of a discarded broom handle. The game began when the hitter would strike a nipsie on the ground. This launched it into the air where the hitter then tried to hit it a second time towards the catchers, similar to baseball.