Hardball, in American English, generally refers to baseball (as opposed to its variant softball), especially when played very competitively. Metaphorically, it refers to uncompromising and ruthless methods or dealings, especially in politics. Hardball or hard ball may also refer to:
in computers
- Hardball, a computer game made for the Palm OS and similar to Breakout
- Hardball! (video game), a series of computer games about baseball
in film
- Hardball (film), a 2001 film with Keanu Reeves and Diane Lane
- Hardball, a 1997 film with Tony Curtis
in food
- Hardball refers to a sugar stage in the making of candy and other confectionery
in literature
- Hardball — How Politics is Played Told By One Who Knows the Game, a book by Chris Matthews, a political talk-show host
- Hardball (comics), a superhero in the Avengers: The Initiative series from Marvel Comics
- Hardball, a comic book series written by Chuck Austen
in sports
- Hardball squash, a racquet sport
- Hardball, a type of handball used in Gaelic_handball#Types_of_Handball
in television
- "Hard Ball" (30 Rock), an episode of the television series 30 Rock
- Hardball (1989 TV series), a one-season NBC crime drama television series
- Hardball (1994 TV series), a television series unrelated to the 1989 series
- Hardball with Chris Matthews, a talk show on MSNBC hosted by Chris Matthews
- Hardball (Filipino TV series) sports show in the Philippines
other
- Hardball (company), a Norwegian investment company.
- Hardball, a slang term used for full metal jacket bullet pistol ammunition, particularly in .45 ACP caliber
- Hardball (G.I. Joe), a fictional character in the G.I. Joe universe