ball game

UK: /ˈbɔːlgeɪm/

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ball′ game′, 

1. Sport any game played with a ball, esp. baseball or softball.
2. Informal Terms a situation and all its attendant circumstances:
   Having a new administration in power changes the entire ball game at city hall.
   Cf. new ball game.
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.
Also, ball′game′. 
• 1840–50, American.