Issued: June 14, 2017

First Day City:  Hartford, WI

Type of Stamp:  First Class
Printed by:  Ashton Potter Ltd.
Method:  Offset

Ball games: People worldwide have played ball games for millennia. One early example, ōllamaliztli, engaged Mayans and Aztecs, resembling modern social events.

Ancient Mesoamericans: Living in rainforests, they crafted solid rubber balls from the Castilla elastica tree for ōllamaliztli. The game involved bumping a nine-pound ball with the hip to score through a 20-foot stone hoop, resulting in bruising.

Popularity of Ōllamaliztli: Archaeologists discovered ball courts from Nicaragua to Arizona, indicating widespread popularity. Though the original rules are lost, it left a lasting impact on Central American culture. Some communities still play a modified version today.

Modern U.S. sporting events: Comparable to ancient Mayan and Aztec gatherings, modern events involve betting, parties, and shared celebrations. Sports unite people, transcending mere games to become integral parts of American culture.

Have A Ball! Stamps: The USPS issued these textured stamps on June 14, 2017. Mike Ryan designed the pane of 16 with eight distinct designs, featuring a special coating for a textured feel. Greg Breeding served as the art director for these aesthetically pleasing stamps.