Wiffle Ball

Wiffle bat and ball

Wiffle Ball is a variation of the sport of baseball designed for indoor or outdoor play where regular baseball equipment may not be available. The game is played using a perforated, light-weight, rubbery plastic ball that is soft enough to be used without a glove and a long, plastic (typically yellow) bat.

The Wiffle ball was invented by David N. Mullany of Fairfield, Connecticut on August 14th, 1953^[1] when he designed a ball that curved easily for his 12-year old son. It was named when his son and his friends would refer to a strikeout as a "whiff". A classic Wiffle ball is about the same size as a regulation baseball, but is hollow plastic no more than 1/8th inch thick. One hemisphere is perforated with eight .75 inches (19 mm) oblong holes, with the other hemisphere solid. This construction allows pitchers to throw a tremendous variety and size of curveballs, sinkers, and risers. Wiffle balls are typically packaged with a hollow, hard plastic, yellow bat that measures 32 inches (810 mm) in length and about 1.25 inches (32 mm) in diameter. Bats may come in other sizes such a mini child sized length of 24" inches.

The game of Wiffle ball, which sprang from the invention of the popular Wiffle ball, became modestly popular as a backyard, sandlot and picnic game in the 1960s and 1970s. The field is set up much like a typical baseball diamond, however the size restrictions of the playing field may limit the distance in between each base. The rules of the game are loosely based upon baseball, but room for "tweaks" as far as outs and number of balls and strikes allowed are permitted. A common wiffle ball rule that can be implemented is called "pitchers hand." This rule states that after a ball is batted, the defensive team can field the ball and throw it to the pitcher standing on the pitchers mound before the batter makes it to first base, resulting in an out. This rule helps the game move quickly and can allow a defensive team to cover more area with fewer players.

Before a game of wiffle ball is started, both teams need to agree on rules pertaining to the game. The number of outs per inning, the number of innings in the game, amount of balls and strikes each batter will be allowed, base placement, and the ruling on homerun boundaries are all rules that should be agreed upon by both teams.

Since 1980, the game has also exploded as an organized sport, with many successful sports leagues and tournaments now played across the United States and as far away as Spain. These competitions have been known to draw dozens of teams or more, typically consisting of two to five players per team, with widely varying rules and field dimensions.

In 1983, wiffle ball was declared the national sport of Angola.

References

External links

• ESPN The Magazine, Aug. 4, 2004
• "Big Wiffer" by David Nevard
• U.S. Patent 2,776,139
• GoldenStick Wiffleball League
• Major League Wiffleball

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