A Wiffle ball is a plastic ball that mimics the size and shape of a baseball. Players often use it in combination with a thin, yellow baseball bat. A Wiffle ball's design makes it suitable for practicing baseball in small, confined areas where potential damage to property makes playing regular baseball unwise.
History
David N. Mulaney invented the Wiffle ball in the early 1950s. His son liked to practice baseball in the backyard, but the plastic golf ball he was using couldn't emulate the way a regular baseball flew. Mulaney tested different types of perforations before settling on a plastic ball design that had long, oblong holes on one half, but none on the other. When he finished, the Wiffle ball flew through the air in a manner similar to a regular baseball, making it an effective alternative for a casual baseball game.
Function
When pitchers throw regular baseballs, they can twist the ball during the release to cause it to curve sharply after it leaves their hands. The curve happens because of the way air travels across the baseball's stitches. A solid plastic ball cannot curve like a regular baseball because the airflow doesn't affect it in the right way. A Wiffle ball's hole configuration, however, does interact with air in the correct way, so pitchers can throw curve balls, knuckle balls, sliders and basic straight pitches.
Features
A pitcher can exercise much control over the ball's flight path, so hitting the ball isn't always easy. When a player swings hard at the ball but misses, the bat makes a "wiffing" noise, hence the name. Wiffle is a brand name, but there are other models of plastic bats and balls. Bats that are much thicker than the characteristic yellow bat are commonly called "fat bats." Their increased size makes it easier for a player to hit the ball.
Tradition
While there are some amateur leagues that allow skilled players to compete, playing Wiffle ball generally is a hobby. The lightness of the equipment makes it suitable for players who can't handle regular baseballs and bats, so Wiffle ball games are common at informal parties and get-togethers. Typically, players follow the basic rules of baseball during a Wiffle ball game.
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