ball game

or ballgame

noun

1. any game played with a ball, especially baseball or softball.
2. Informal. a situation and all its attendant circumstances: Compare new ball game.

   Having a new administration in power changes the entire ball game at city hall.

3. Archaeology. a ceremonial game of both ritual and sporting significance, played by teams on a ball court in Mesoamerican cultures from the Preclassic period to the Spanish conquest.

ball game

noun

1. any game played with a ball
2. a game of baseball
3. informal.
   a situation; state of affairs (esp in the phrase a whole new ball game )

Word History and Origins

Origin of ball game¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Example Sentences

It also had a court where people would have played an ancient ball game.

From BBC

“As far as kind of winning a ball game tomorrow, I think we’re in a really good spot,” said the ever optimistic Roberts.

From Los Angeles Times

Too much barnstorming and too many impromptu ball games for every home run and earned run to have been documented by a box score.

From Los Angeles Times

The ancient Maya played several ball games, including pok-a-tok, which has rules similar to soccer and basketball.

From Science Daily

This is supposed to be a ball game and not just a talk show.

From Los Angeles Times