Wiffle ball is a miniature version of baseball designed for playing the wiffle ball game in confined spaces. It originated in 1953 in Fairfield, Connecticut, when David N. Mullany developed a perforated plastic ball that allowed players to throw curveballs easily. The game quickly became a popular backyard and recreational sport, both indoors and outdoors. Unlike traditional baseball, wiffle ball is played with lightweight plastic equipment. Needless to say, it makes the game more accessible and safe for players of all ages.
What is Wiffle Ball?
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Wiffle Ball is a simplified version of baseball. It was created to be played in small areas using plastic equipment to ensure safety and accessibility. The game is designed to focus on big hits, quick action, and fun for players of all ages.
In Wiffle Ball, two teams take turns batting and fielding. The goal is to score more runs than the other team by hitting the ball and running around the bases. Unlike baseball, Wiffle Ball has some special rules. Indeed, All World Wiffle® Ball Championship events follow the official rules of Major League Baseball.
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Wiffle Ball Rules
Pitching Rules
- The pitcher must throw from 36 to 45 feet away.
- The speed limit is 59 MPH, monitored by a radar gun.
- The pitcher must have one foot on the mound while pitching.
- No balks are allowed.
- Pitches must have a visible arc; no sidearm or flat pitches.
- One intentional walk is allowed per game.
Fielding Rules
- The fielder must throw the ball to first base to get the batter out. There’s no infield fly rule.
- A fly ball caught by a fielder (i.e., a ball in the air) is an out for the batter.
- Fielding a ground ball before it stops or crosses the singles line results in an out. Bobbling is allowed as long as the ball doesn’t touch the ground.
- If a ground ball comes to a complete stop before being picked up, it counts as a hit.
- If a fielder drops a ground ball before it crosses the singles line, the batter is awarded a single.
- If a fielder overthrows a ball, the runner gets one extra base.
- Pegging (throwing the ball at runners) is allowed, but only below the neck.
- The infield fly rule is in play when there is a force at third with zero or one out.
Special Rules
| Rule | Description |
| Mercy Rule | If a team leads by 15 or more runs after three innings, the game ends. |
| Extra Innings | If the score is tied, each team starts with a runner on third base. |
| Ground Rule Double | If a hit ball bounces over the outfield fence, the batter gets two bases. |
| No Challenges | All calls made by the umpire are final. |
| Sportsmanship | Any player or team displaying poor sportsmanship will be removed from the game. |
Runs are scored when a player reaches home plate. There’s a 6-run limit per inning, except in the third inning, where unlimited runs are allowed.
If a team is ahead by 15 runs after the third inning, the game ends as per the mercy rule. Some leagues allow tied games. However, some wiffle ball leagues have extra innings if the game is tied after six innings with runners starting on third base. Each team starts their extra innings with two outs already.
How to Play Wiffle Ball
Set-Up
To learn how to play Wiffle Ball, you need a few things:
- A plastic wiffle ball – This is a lightweight ball with holes that make it curve when thrown.
- A plastic bat – The wiffle bat is designed for easy swinging and hitting.
- A playing field – Mark four bases in a square to create a playing area. The field size can vary depending on the space available.
- A strike zone target – This can be a box behind home plate to help determine strikes and balls.
Wiffle Ball Field Size
- Bases should be 45 feet apart.
- The pitcher’s mound should be 36 to 45 feet from home plate.
- The doubles line should be 65 feet from the home plate.
- Triple line: 80 feet.
- Outfield fence: 90 feet.
- The foul lines make a V-shape, meeting 4 feet behind home plate at a 75-degree angle.
- The home run line should be at 95 feet.
- A “no-bunt” line is placed 8 feet from home plate.
- A strike zone is a 22-inch wide by 32-inch tall box behind home plate.
Umpiring
Unlike in baseball, the teams playing the game will act as their own referees in Wiffle. If there is a disagreement about a call, the team captains will talk it out and decide what happens. The tournament officials running the tournament won’t step in to change any calls based on opinions.
The home team (the team that bats second) is chosen ahead of time for Saturday’s games. On Sunday, if it’s not already decided by the schedule, the home team will be chosen by a coin toss or “the bat thing.”
Teams and Players
A Wiffle Ball team usually has four to five players. When there are five players in each team, fielding players can be assigned one of the roles: pitcher or catcher, or to be in the home run zone, double zone, or triple zone. Respective players must stay in the same zone till the end of the game.
- Pitcher – Throws the ball to the batter. In the wiffle ball game, the same pitcher can throw for the entire game and even pitch in every game if they want to.
- First Baseman – Covers first base.
- Third Baseman – Covers third base (triple zone).
- Outfielder – Catches and fields balls hit past the infield. They can play anywhere in fair territory.
- Extra player (optional) – Can be a designated pitcher or additional fielder.
Each team takes turns batting and playing defense. A team can play with as few as four players, but having five allows for better field coverage.
Gameplay and Scoring
A game of Wiffle Ball can be played in three to six innings, with each team getting a turn to bat and a turn to field in every inning.
Five innings are standard practice. The team that scores the most runs by the end of the fifth inning wins. If there’s a tie, extra innings will be considered. Both teams will restart the game with bases loaded.
Batting Rules
Each batter gets three strikes and four balls per at-bat.
A strike is when:
- The batter swings and misses.
- The ball hits the strike zone box.
- The batter fouls the ball.
If a batter gets three strikes, they are out.
A ball is when a pitch misses the strike zone and is not swung at.
If a batter gets four balls, they advance to first base.
No bunting is allowed. The ball must travel beyond the no-bunt line (8 feet) to be considered in play.
Base Running
There is no stealing or leading off bases in the wiffle ball rules. Base runners are out if they are hit by a thrown ball while running between bases.
Base runners are also out if a fielder throws the ball at home plate before the runner arrives. However, if the ball is overthrown and goes out of play, the runner advances one extra base.
Scoring Runs
- A run is scored when a player makes it around all bases and touches home plate.
- A home run is when the batted ball is hit over the outfield fence.
- If the batted ball gets stuck or bounces over the outfield wall, the umpire can call it a ground rule double.
- A six-run limit applies per inning, except for the last inning, where unlimited runs can be scored.
Winning
Runs are scored when a player reaches home plate. There’s a 6-run limit per inning, except in the third inning. Unlimited runs are allowed in 3rd inning.
If a team is ahead by 15 runs after the third inning, the game ends (mercy rule).
If the game is tied after six innings, extra innings are played in some wiffle ball leagues with runners starting on third base.
Other Ways to Play Wiffle Ball
Some of the other ways to enjoy Wiffle Ball include:
- Classic Rules – Play with standard scoring and innings.
- Street Wiffle Ball – Use a smaller field and fewer players.
- Backyard Wiffle Ball – Play casually with any number of players.
- Tournament Style – Compete in a structured league with set rules.
League Play and Tournaments
Wiffle ball has grown into a competitive sport with professional leagues, including:
- Major League Wiffle Ball (MLW) – The most popular league, featuring eight teams and professional gameplay.
- AWA Wiffle Ball – The most viewed league, airing live games on social media.
- World Wiffle Ball Championship – Established in 1980, the oldest tournament in the sport.
- National Wiffle League Association (NWLA) – A competitive league featuring teams from various regional leagues.
Many wiffle ball leagues play in custom-built fields, some resembling major league ballparks. Notable fields include Little Fenway and Strawberry Field, a $700,000 private wiffle ball complex with professional lighting, bleachers, and a clubhouse.
The Evolution of Wiffle Ball
The game has evolved beyond backyard play. The MLW World Series has been held in major stadiums like SoFi Stadium (LA) and Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta). The game has been featured on ESPN’s SportsCenter, and international teams from Japan and Canada have competed in tournaments.
Closure
Wiffle Ball brings people together for joy and competition. There’s enough physical exercise too. Players can set up fields in parks, driveways, or any open space. Creative field setups bring a lot of excitement, like using trees as foul poles or marking fences with chalk. House rules can make games even better– bonus runs for hitting certain targets. Want more challenges? Play at night with glow-in-the-dark balls and bats. The game keeps evolving, bringing fresh ways to enjoy baseball-style action.
FAQs
Is wiffle ball the same as pickleball?
No, wiffle ball and pickleball are different. Wiffle ball is like baseball. It uses a lightweight ball with oblong holes. Pickleball is a paddle sport combining tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It uses paddles, a net, and a perforated ball.
What is the game similar to the wiffle ball game?
The game most similar to wiffle ball is Blitzball. Both use a plastic ball with holes that create unpredictable movement. They are played like baseball. Pitchers throw to batters. Both games focus on throwing curveballs due to the ball’s design.
Can girls play wiffle ball?
Yes, girls can play wiffle ball. It is a game for all genders. Some leagues let girls play in a younger age division. Wiffle ball helps players with timing and swinging. The bat is light. The ball is soft and flexible.
Is there a catcher in wiffle ball?
Yes, wiffle ball has a catcher. The catcher stands behind home plate to receive pitches. They also field balls near home plate. Most wiffle ball rules require a catcher. Each team must have one on the field during the game.
Is wiffle ball harder than baseball?
Wiffle ball can be harder than baseball in some ways. A skilled pitcher can make the ball move unpredictably. Hitting can also be tricky. Pitching is also difficult due to the ball’s weight and holes. Baseball is harder overall with faster pitches.
What is Mercy rule in wiffle ball?
The mercy rule ends the game if a team leads by 15 or more runs after the third inning or any later inning. If the home team leads by 15 after the top of an inning, the game ends. The maximum run differential is +/-15.
