A group of men and women in Ross Bridge, Bluff Park, and Lake Wilborn have been competing this summer in a series of fierce competitions against their own neighbors: That’s right, it’s wiffle ball season.
In the wiffle ball leagues, it doesn’t matter whether you played baseball professionally or have never swung a bat in your life, what matters is that you show up. Michael Cobb, the commissioner for the Ross Bridge wiffle ball leagues and team captain of Joey Saltwater, says he originally thought he had no place on a team because of a shoulder injury. But he worked on his hitting and became team captain, so he didn’t have to pitch as much.
He wants people to know that their athletic abilities don’t necessarily matter—it’s just about having fun in a friendly neighborhood competition.
“Yes, the competition drives a lot of what we do, but all these folks are my neighbors,” said Cobb. “That’s the fun part. It’s really just about participating.”
Cobb knows that life happens; people go on vacation, have kids, get busier than normal and may not be able to play anymore. But he welcomes all newcomers to join through the Facebook page, The Hamptons’ Wiffle Ball League, and hopes the league will continue to thrive throughout the years. A big part of wiffle ball is getting to meet people that you otherwise wouldn’t have.
Brandi McCleskey, the commissioner, treasurer, and secretary of the women’s league in Ross Bridge, says the women’s teams started informally but quickly became a more competitive league, mirroring the men’s teams. The league was formed and run by neighbors, and that remains the case today. This year, the women have quite a few new players alongside their veteran players.
“We are always recruiting for new players and hope that all of our neighbors support the growth of the wiffle ball league,” McCleskey said. “We welcome everyone to come out on Sunday afternoons to enjoy some good, fun neighborhood competition!”
Ashlee Torres, a member of the women’s wiffle ball league in Lake Wilborn, also said the league is a way to meet new neighbors while still being competitive. The league's three pillars remain the same as they did when it began two years ago: competition, community and fun.
“It is about getting outside and having fun, but also a little competition allows the league to continue on successfully,” Torres said.
The women’s league in Lake Wilborn was formed after the men’s leagues had been successful for two years. Torres said the women in the neighborhood figured that if the men could do it, they could certainly do it, too.
All teams are looking forward to playing in the Hoover Wiffle Crown at the end of the summer. Originally established by the Bluff Park Wiffleball League, the Hoover Wiffle Crown is a competition between the Ross Bridge, Bluff Park, and Lake Wilborn All-Star teams. For the past two years, it has taken place at Hoover Metropolitan Complex, marking the official end of the wiffleball season and spotlighting the best players in Hoover.