Wall ball is a sport that started in city parks decades ago, but it's grown into a big league spectacle with top players competing in a tournament for cash prizes and bragging rights. NY1's Natalie Duddridge has from Van Cortland Park in The Bronx.

More than 200 players showed off their wall ball skills in the Red Bull Slap tournament. 

"I just like how competitive it is," said Timbo Gonzalez, the no. 1-ranked player in the world. "Everyone wants to win." 

Gonzalez grew up playing hours a day in The Bronx, and that's why the tournament is being held in the borough this year. 

"There's a lot of pressure," Gonzalez said. "You got a lot of these guys, they train daily, they want the number one spot. So it's like you're always a target!"

If you don't know the game, wall ball is kind of like tennis without the rackets. Handball is played in a field like soccer, but with your hands. 

Organizers say wall ball became popular in the city during the Great Depression because all you needed was a ball and a wall.

"The mayor at the time built these walls all along the shore of New York City, so it became popular," Wall Ball Association President Jasmine Ray said. "They realized how easy it was and how accessible it is to people who come from a sort of economically disadvantaged backgrounds. It's easy for them to access." 

Now there are more than 2,000 wall ball courts throughout the five boroughs. This is a sport that players and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. say brings everyone together. 

"For so many years, this sport has allowed for urban youth to exercise, find a certain disciple, to stay out of trouble," he said.

But, as I found out, it's not as easy as it looks. Wall ball is a real test of hand-eye coordination, and it takes a lot of practice.

"I have cuts cracks and splits on my hands because I've been playing so long," Anselmo Ruiz, a wall ball player, said.

The winners from the tournament can take home a several thousand dollar cash prize.

They hope wall ball keeps growing to eventually reach the popularity level of handball. It's played in the Olympics and also professionally in more than 30 countries.

The last few rounds of the tournament Saturday were postponed because of rain, so it is scheduled to continue August 6 at a public park to be determined, according to a Red Bull official.