By Katie Arvia
MIDLOTHIAN, Ill. (February 17, 2021) – After a brief departure due to COVID-19 restrictions, the World Wiffle Ball Championship will return to Memorial Park in Midlothian. The tournament, now in its 42nd year, will take place August 14-15, 2021, coinciding with National Wiffle Ball Day on August 14.
Last year, the WWBC made a one-time nostalgic return to their hometown of Mishawaka, Indiana. The event was held in Mishawaka for 32 years before moving to Illinois. The decision to move back to Mishawaka for the 2020 championship was made as a result of strict COVID mitigations that were in place in Illinois at the time of the event.
“After taking a trip down memory lane in Mishawaka, Indiana for last year’s Championship, we are looking forward to coming back to Midlothian this summer. We are even more excited than usual to gear up for this year’s Championship, considering everything we have all dealt with for the past year. We can’t wait to see old and new Wifflers alike this summer come together to beat some plastic,” said Mike Baniak, Commissioner of the World Wiffle Ball Championship.
Registration and tournament
Registration is now open for the 2021 event. Teams must consist of four or five players and can be made up of players of all ages. The registration fee is $149 and includes a WWBC T-shirt for each rostered player.
As always, the 2021 championship will be played with plastic bats and Wiffle balls on miniature fields. This year, each team will play four round-robin games on Saturday, August 14. Qualifying teams will then play in a single-elimination tournament on Sunday, August 15.
Last year, the Cult West Warriors out of South Bend, Indiana took home their fifth consecutive World Wiffle Ball Championship win. A win in this year’s tournament will make them the first team in history to win six straight championships.
Local benefit
More than 40 teams competed in the 2020 World Wiffle Ball Championship, with players coming all the way from New York and California to compete. Proceeds from the 2021 championship will benefit South Suburban Humane Society. Since 2018, over $7,000 has been raised by the event to help animals in need.
“We are delighted to welcome the World Wiffle Ball Championship back to the Chicago Southland area,” said Jim Garrett, President/CEO of the Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau. “This event is such a fun opportunity, not only for players, but for the fans as well. We are looking forward to welcoming the competitors to our region.”
For more information or to register a team, visit WorldWiffleBall.org.
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