ASHLAND – Four players, a plastic ball and a plastic bat. It may sound simple but in the hands of a few eager youngsters, that was a recipe for a fun time Thursday at the annual Ashland Wifflefest.
The 17th annual Wifflefest opened Thursday afternoon at Southview Grace Brethren Church with the Elementary and Middle School Tournaments. Hundreds of kids pitched, hit and fielded their way to a good time, no matter a win or a loss.
Wifflefest organizer Mike Barr said more than 100 teams had registered for the event, with nearly 500 people taking part and 1,000 spectators expected over the course of the weekend.
On Friday, the High School tournament will take place. Saturday is a makeup date if needed.
Sunday morning at 10:15 a.m., the Wifflefest Outreach Service featuring Jason Taylor from Bar None Cowboy Church in Tatum, Texas, will be held.
The Adult Tournament starts on 9 a.m. on July 4, followed by a community picnic and hog roast at 6 p.m., with a concert by 11th Hour at 7 p.m.
Wifflefest is based on the simple backyard baseball game played for decades with a wiffleball and plastic bat. For the Ashland Wifflefest, teams are made up of four players (a pitcher, catcher and two outfielders) on the field at a time, although some teams have five players.
The eight fields are built scaled to 3/10 of actual Major League Baseball stadiums and are named after some of their Big League counterparts, including Fenway Park, complete with a Green Monster; Wrigley Field; Comiskey Park; Polo Grounds; Camden Yards; Dodger Stadium and Yankee Stadium. The final field is called “The Jude” and is designed to match the Indians’ home, Progressive Field.
Barr said the event is popular because of the nostalgia factor.
“People have fond memories of playing wiffleball in the backyard and they love to come out here and play it again or watch it,” Barr said.
