Wiffle ball facts for kids
Wiffle ball is a fun, simpler version of baseball. It was created in 1953 in Fairfield, Connecticut. At first, people played it in small areas. But it quickly became a popular outdoor activity. The game uses a special light plastic ball with holes and a long, hollow plastic bat. Two teams, with one to five players each, try to score runs. They do this by hitting the ball and imagining runners moving to home plate. The word Wiffle ball can mean the game itself or the special ball. The name "Wiffle" comes from the word "whiff," which means to strike out in baseball.
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How Wiffle Ball Started
People have played small versions of baseball for many years. Kids used things like rolled-up socks or tennis balls. The special Wiffle ball was invented by David N. Mullany in 1953. He made it at his home in Fairfield, Connecticut. He wanted a ball that would curve easily for his 12-year-old son. His son and friends called a strikeout a "whiff." That's how the ball got its name!
The Wiffle ball is about the same size as a regular baseball. But it is hollow, very light, and made of strong plastic. It's only about 3 millimeters thick. One half of the ball has eight oblong holes. The other half is solid. This design helps pitchers throw cool curveballs and balls that rise.
In 2011, a health group in New York State listed Wiffle ball as an activity that could cause injuries. This was part of a new law about kids' programs. Many people thought this was funny or silly. Wiffle Ball, Inc. had never had any safety lawsuits in over 50 years. People across the country spoke up. Because of this, New York removed Wiffle ball and other activities like archery from the "risky" list.
Playing the Game
Wiffle ball is a simpler version of baseball. It's made to be played in smaller spaces, both indoors and outdoors. The rules are very much like baseball. A game usually lasts 6 innings or 60 minutes, whichever comes first.
You don't always need a special field. But if you mark one, it looks like a triangle. The batter stands at the top point of the triangle. The two equal sides are about 60 feet long.
- If you hit the ball about 30 feet, it's a "single."
- If you hit it about 45 feet, it's a "double."
- If the ball goes outside the sides of the triangle, it's a foul ball.
- The line at the bottom of the triangle is about 20 feet long. If you hit the ball across this line, it's a "home run."
Scoring is like baseball. You get runs for singles, doubles, and home runs. But here's the cool part: batters don't run around bases! And fielders don't chase the ball.
The goal for each team is to score more runs than the other team. The team with the most runs after the agreed number of innings wins. If the scores are tied, some leagues end the game as a draw. Others play one more inning to find a winner.
Wiffle Ball Tournaments
Wiffle ball tournaments have been held in the United States and Europe since 1977. Rick Ferroli started holding tournaments in his backyard in Massachusetts. In 1980, the World Wiffle Ball Championship began in Indiana.
With the internet, there are now hundreds of tournaments across the U.S. The World Wiffle Ball Championship is the oldest. It moved to the Chicago area in 2013. It has even had stops in places like Barcelona, Spain!
The NWLA (National Wiffle League Association) tournament happens in different places each year. It brings together all-star teams from leagues across the country.
United Wiffle is the main group for tournaments now. They started in 2020 in Pennsylvania. Teams from Japan and Canada have even played in their World Championship Tournament!
Wiffle Ball Leagues
There are many competitive wiffle ball leagues in the United States. Major League Wiffle Ball (MLW) is one of the biggest. Other leagues include AWA Wiffle Ball and many "Minor League Wiffleball" groups.
MLW Wiffle Ball is very popular. Kyle Schultz started it in Brighton, Michigan in 2009. The league has eight teams, like the Eastern Eagles and Western Wildcats.
MLW has a huge following on social media. They upload highlights of all their games to YouTube. They have also held open tournaments in many different states. The league became very well-known in 2020. This was when many other sports were paused. MLW has been shown on TV channels like TBS and ESPN's ''SportsCenter''!
They have played games in many states outside Michigan. They've even played in famous stadiums. These include Fifth Third Field and a Wiffle ball field at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. In recent years, MLW has held its World Series games in huge stadiums. These include SoFi Stadium in LA, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and AT&T Stadium in Dallas. The Eastern Eagles won the most recent championship in 2024.
AWA Wiffle Ball started in 2020 in Edmonds, Washington. This eight-team league grew popular through social media. They show live games on TikTok and YouTube. ESPN8 The Ocho has even shown the AWA's all-star game since 2023.
See also
- Blitzball (sport)
