Wiffle® Ball
Wiffle® Ball
THE WIFFLE® PERFORATED PLASTIC BALL -
The Wiffle® Ball was designed to take the place of baseball, stickball and softball for boys and girls in back yards and city streets. It is made of a tough rubbery plastic – is light in weight and cannot be thrown or hit any great distance. The Wiffle® Ball is also an excellent indoor ball.
THE PITCHES -
The Wiffle® Ball is thrown like a baseball and will curve very easily. The diagrams below show how the ball should be held for curving and controlling the ball. Experiment with different grips and releases to find the pitches that work best for you. There is no need to throw the ball hard to produce results!
THE GAME - PLAYED WITH THE WIFFLE® PERFORATED PLASTIC BALL
As stated above, the Wiffle® Ball was designed for use in congested areas. Because the ball will not travel far when solidly hit, ball chasing and base running have been eliminated. An ordinary broom handle can be used if a Wiffle® bat is not available. The size of the playing field is optional, but we recommend a minimum dimension of 20 feet in width at the home run markers (approx. 8 paces) by about 60 feet long (approx. 23 paces) from home plate to each home run marker. The field is laid out with foul lines and markers for singles, doubles triples and home run areas. See sketch of suggested playing field.
The minimum number of players required to play a game with the Wiffle® Ball is two – the pitcher and batter – one player per side. The maximum number of players that can compete are ten – five players to a side. If a full team is playing, each side will consist of a catcher, pitcher, double area fielder, triple area fielder and home run area fielder. Fielders cannot move from one area to another when a full team is playing. When more than two players are playing, captains for each side are picked and they choose their respective teams alternately. As in baseball, the game is played with one team at bat and one team in the field. The batting order of the team at bat shall be Pitcher, Catcher, Double Area player, Triple Area player and finally Home Run area player. The rules of play are similar to baseball, however there is no base running. Three outs to retire a side, per inning, nine innings per game. In case of a tie, additional innings are played. For a complete inning, both sides must bat. An out for the batter can be made in three ways:
The batter can strike out only if he/she swings at a pitched ball and does not foul tip the t hird strike. Foul tips count as a strike for the first two strikes only. A foul tip caught in back of the batters box does not count as an out.
Fly balls caught in fair or foul territory
Ground balls caught while the ball is in motion, in fair territory. Bunting is not allowed and the batter cannot obtain a base on balls.
SCORING -
Single markers are placed approximately 24 feet from home plate on the foul line. A ball hit in the single area (i.e. the area between batters box and single markers and not caught, constitutes a single. Double markers are placed approximately 20 feet in back of the single markers on the foul line. A ball hit in the double area (between the single marker and the double marker) and not caught constitutes a double. Triple markers are placed on foul lines 20 feet back of the double markers. Balls hit in the triple area (between the double markers and triple markers) and not caught, constitute a triple. Balls hit past the triple markers, and not caught, constitute a home run. The baseball rules of scoring apply: Example: A player hits a single – his/her team has a man on first base (imaginary runners). The next player hits a single – the team now has a man of first and second. Third batter hits a home run – three runs score! (The imaginary runners on first and second, plus the home run.)
A batter earns 1 imaginary base on a single, 2 imaginary bases on a double and 3 imaginary bases on a triple.
A runner on 1st advances one base on a single, 2 bases on a double and scores on a triple
A runner on 2nd base scores on a single, double, or triple.
A runner on 3rd base scores on any hit.
Rally Cap Sports Co. Standard - without baserunners
Rally Cap Sports Co. Standard (Without Baserunners) Wiffle Ball Game Rules
A) EQUIPMENT
Only white baseball size Wiffle® balls (eight slots on one side) will be used for play. The only modification to the surface of the ball will be that resulting from normal play. If a ball is torn more than 1⁄ inch, it will be ruled illegal for play and will be removed from the game.
Bats will be provided by Rally Cap Sports Co Staff. Bats with any type of “sweet spot” will not be allowed. Tape and other grips will be allowed on the handle of the bats up to 10 inches from the bottom. League officials have the right to inspect any bats being used and only they can declare if a bat is legal/illegal for play.
Baseball gloves are not permitted.
B) TEAMS,SUBSTITUTIONS,ANDLINEUPS
Teams will consist of 4-6 players. Up to six players may bat but only four play the field (i.e. one pitcher, three fielders).
Players not listed on the team’s roster may not play.
There must be a new pitcher every inning. Everyone must pitch before a player who has
already pitched re-enters to pitch.
Lineups must be exchanged between captains 5 minutes prior to the start of the game.
Teams may start a game with 3 players.
Teams may add batters to the order at the beginning of their offensive half of the inning.
However, the batting order may not be altered, and new batters will be added to the
bottom of the lineup.
Substitutions for fielders may only be made in between innings, unless the defensive
team only has 3 players or an injury occurs.
a) If the player entering the field of play is not currently in the batting order, they
will assume the batting position of the injured player.
b) If the player entering the field of play is currently in the batting order the team
may:
(i) add a rostered player who is not in the batting order to the injured player’s batting position at the beginning of their next offensive half of the inning, or
(ii) if no rostered player remains you may skip the injured players spot in the batting order at no penalty but that player may not return for a full inning. 7) Batting out of order is ruled as an out.
C) THEGAME
Games will end after five innings or 45 minutes from start time, whichever comes first.
A minimum of 3 innings must be completed in order for a game to be considered
complete.
A 15 run “mercy rule” applies after three complete innings, and 12 runs after 4 innings.
In extra innings, both teams will start with a runner on second. This format takes place
immediately after the end of the fifth inning.
D) PITCHING
1. The target strike zone will be 32 inches high by 22 inches wide and will stand 18 inches
off the ground. The zone marker will be made of a PVC frame with a metal strike plate attached to the frame.
In order to be called a strike a pitch must hit the metal strike plate. Pitches that hit the PVC frame are a ball.
The pitcher must have at least one foot touching the rubber when he releases the ball. If a ball is pitched in violation of this rule, the pitch will be ruled a ball.
Five balls equal a walk and three strikes count as an out. A foul tip that hits the strike zone on the third strike is an out.
A different pitcher must pitch each inning. Once a pitcher has pitched an inning they may not pitch again unless the team goes into extra innings.
Pitchers must face one complete batter before being replaced. Pitchers may be relieved by either a fielder or a player on the bench.
The pitcher that records two outs will be considered to have pitched the inning. If 3 different pitchers record one out each, the final pitcher will be considered to have pitched the inning.
E) FIELDING
A batted ball that stops before crossing the ‘foul line/arch’ is a foul ball.
There is no catcher. In order to get a runner out at home you must throw the ball to inside
the target marked on the backstop or the strike zone. Once the ball has hit the backstop all other runner must stop. If they have not gotten halfway to the next base the must return to the previous base.
A ground ball fielded before stopping or crossing the singles line is an out. Bobbling a grounder is OK as long as it doesn’t hit the ground.
If a ground ball is dropped by a fielder in front of the singles line, it will be ruled a single.
Fielders may try for a double play if there are less than 2 outs and a runner on first.
a) To do this, a fielder must pick up an infield grounder cleanly (no bobbles and before the singles line) and then complete a throw that hits the strike zone.
b) A double play must be completed in a continuous motion. A delay in the throw will result in a single out.
c) If the ball is thrown out of play when attempting a double play, any runners on base advance 1 base.
A fielded ground ball always results in the lead runner being out.
Any fly ball caught in the air is an out. There is no infield fly rule.
Fielders may attempt to throw out a tagging runner from third with less than 2 outs.
a) To do this, a fielder must catch the ball cleanly (no bobbles) and then complete a throw that hits the marked area at the back stop or the strike zone.
b) A throw out must be completed in a continuous motion. A delay in the throw will result in a single out.
c) If the ball is thrown out of play when attempting a double play, any runners advance 1 base.
F) BATTING, RUNNING, AND SCORING
The batter may switch sides at any time in the count. The batter must notify the pitcher before doing so, otherwise the pitch will be called a strike.
Any batter interference with the pitch will be called a strike.
There is no hit batsman rule. The pitch will be called a ball.
There is no limit to the number of foul balls a batter may hit.
G) BATTING, RUNNING, AND SCORING
1The batter may switch sides at any time in the count. The batter must notify the pitcher before doing so, otherwise the pitch will be called a strike.
Any batter interference with the pitch will be called a strike.
There is no hit batsman rule. The pitch will be called a ball.
There is no limit to the number of foul balls a batter may hit.
Ground Balls:
a) A hit ground ball that reaches the single line is a single.
b) A ground ball that comes to a complete stop before being fielded is a hit.
Fly Balls and Line Drives:
a) A ball must land past a designated line in the air for a batter to achieve that base.
b) A ball that hits any part of the outfield fence in the air is a triple.
c) A ball that travels over the outfield fence is a home run.
Base Runners:
a) There is no actual base running in this league. We will be using ghost runners.
b) Base runners do not need to be forced on hits
(i) a single moves a runner 1 base.
(ii) a double moves a runner two bases.
c) A walk only moves a runner by being forced to the next base
d) Runners are allowed to tag from third base only on a play with less than 2 outs where the ball is caught beyond the Double Line.
Rally Cap Sports Co. Standard - with baserunners
Rally Cap Sports Co. Standard (With Baserunners) Wiffle® BallGame Rules
A) EQUIPMENT
Only white baseball size Wiffle® balls (eight slots on one side) will be used for play. The only modification to the surface of the ball will be that resulting from normal play. If a ball is torn more than 1⁄ inch, it will be ruled illegal for play and will be removed from the game.
Bats will be provided by Rally Cap Sports Co Staff. Bats with any type of “sweet spot” will not be allowed. Tape and other grips will be allowed on the handle of the bats up to 10 inches from the bottom. League officials have the right to inspect any bats being used and only they can declare if a bat is legal/illegal for play.
Baseball gloves are not permitted.
B) TEAMS,SUBSTITUTIONS,ANDLINEUPS
Teams will consist of 4-6 players. Up to six players may bat but only four play the field (i.e. one pitcher, three fielders).
Players not listed on the team’s roster may not play.
There must be a new pitcher every inning. Everyone must pitch before a player who has
already pitched re-enters to pitch.
Lineups must be exchanged between captains 5 minutes prior to the start of the game.
Teams may start a game with 3 players.
Teams may add batters to the order at the beginning of their offensive half of the inning.
However, the batting order may not be altered, and new batters will be added to the
bottom of the lineup.
Substitutions for fielders may only be made in between innings, unless the defensive
team only has 3 players or an injury occurs.
a) If the player entering the field of play is not currently in the batting order, they
will assume the batting position of the injured player.
b) If the player entering the field of play is currently in the batting order the team
may:
(i) add a rostered player who is not in the batting order to the injured player’s batting position at the beginning of their next offensive half of the inning, or
(ii) if no rostered player remains you may skip the injured players spot in the batting order at no penalty but that player may not return for a full inning. 7) Batting out of order is ruled as an out.
C) THEGAME
Games will end after five innings or 45 minutes from start time, whichever comes first.
A minimum of 3 innings must be completed in order for a game to be considered
complete.
A 15 run “mercy rule” applies after three complete innings, and 12 runs after 4 innings.
In extra innings, both teams will start with a runner on second. This format takes place
immediately after the end of the fifth inning.
D) PITCHING
1. The target strike zone will be 32 inches high by 22 inches wide and will stand 18 inches
off the ground. The zone marker will be made of a PVC frame with a metal strike plate attached to the frame.
In order to be called a strike a pitch must hit the metal strike plate. Pitches that hit the PVC frame are a ball.
The pitcher must have at least one foot touching the rubber when he releases the ball. If a ball is pitched in violation of this rule, the pitch will be ruled a ball.
Five balls equal a walk and three strikes count as an out. A foul tip that hits the strike zone on the third strike is an out.
A different pitcher must pitch each inning. Once a pitcher has pitched an inning they may not pitch again unless the team goes into extra innings.
Pitchers must face one complete batter before being replaced. Pitchers may be relieved by either a fielder or a player on the bench.
The pitcher that records two outs will be considered to have pitched the inning. If 3 different pitchers record one out each, the final pitcher will be considered to have pitched the inning.
E) FIELDING
Standard baseball rules apply. Except a batted ball that stops before crossing the ‘foul line/arch’ is a foul ball.
There is no catcher. In order to get a runner out at home you must throw the ball to inside the target marked on the backstop or the strike zone. Once the ball has hit the backstop all other runners must stop. If they have not gotten halfway to the next base they must return to the previous base.
F) BATTING, RUNNING, AND SCORING
The batter may switch sides at any time in the count. The batter must notify the pitcher before doing so, otherwise the pitch will be called a strike.
Any batter interference with the pitch will be called a strike.
There is no hit batsman rule. The pitch will be called a ball.
There is no limit to the number of foul balls a batter may hit.
G) General Rules
Reporting the official score will be the responsibility of the winning team’s captain.
Teams must play all scheduled games. Failure to do so will result in forfeit.
All teams and players will adhere to all rules of the league. Any violations may result in
ejection from the game and/or league.
Rules stated herein will follow the rules of Major League Baseball.
Games will be played rain or shine.