play ball

1. Cooperate, as in The opposing attorneys refused to play ball with us . [ Slang ; c. 1900]

2. Get going, start, as in It's time to get a move on; let's play ball . This usage comes from the baseball umpire's call to start a game. [ Slang ; late 1800s]

Example Sentences

“I’ve got a great team, a great coaching staff, there’s nothing for me to worry about, but just to go out there and play ball with them,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

“I believed that my best football was ahead of me, and I wanted to play ball and achieve my goals. Like, why not? I’m here doing that.”

From Los Angeles Times

The artificial turf gets way too hot, Phil said, but it provides a place for their son to play ball.

From Los Angeles Times

When the offense wasn’t displaying the toughness he wanted, Bieniemy bellowed, “Put a hat on a ... hat, let’s play ball!”

From Los Angeles Times

The Bruins finally got to play ball, and it wasn’t pretty.

From Los Angeles Times