Erin Brown takes time out from Los Angeles to stop by the Reggie Sanders’ Foundation and Big League Celebrity Tournament!

Big League Carpet!

The North Carolina Wiffle Ball League will be hosting a large tournament in Landis, NC on August 4th-5th which is just North of Charlotte, NC. This tournament will provide the best competition that North Carolina has to offer. There will be a fast pitch division as well as a slow pitch division. Teams consist of 4-6 players. The entry fee is $30 per team which will include concessions. Music will be played and games will be video recorded and posted online. The tournament is sponsored by Shirts and Logos and players will receive a free tee shirt. Umpires will be provided. Lights will be used if needed. Stats will be tracked and posted online shortly after the tournament ends. It will be a great time with tons of games and fun. And some great, competitive wiffle ball.

 
The NCWBL will be able to assist teams with hotel arrangements if needed.

 
Our website: http://www.ncwiffleballleague.com/
Twitter: @ncwbl
FB: North Carolina Wiffle Ball League
Email: ncwbl@hotmail.com

It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone. You count on it, you rely on it to buffer the passage of time, to keep the memory of sunshine and high skies alive, and then, just when the days are all twilight, when you need it most, it stops.

_ A. Bartlett Giamatti

Guest Post By Peter Mocabee:

 
You’ve all seen the movie… and if you’re like me, then you’ve probably cried like me. Every time the players lay their jerseys down for Rudy on the coach’s desk, “for Rudy coach” I frickin’ shed a tear. What’s inside me that drives me to feel for Rudy? How does that connect to my love for wiffle ball?

 

I starting playing wiffle in college with my roommates at Azusa Pacific University in CA. I was always considered the best pitcher among my roommates, and then our senior year, after being the two-time defending champs, the intramural wiffle tournament brought 3 freshman to the amphitheater that taught me a lesson that I would never forget… I’m not that good! They creamed us! They were actually a traveling fast pitch team. This was back in the late nineties and it stuck with me as the years passed by. I don’t remember their names, and if you’re reading this “guys from Bowles”, those were good times! After college I would only play a couple times a year against my older brother during Christmas and Easter when we gathered at my parents house. In the Spring of 2009, my passion for wiffle increased to the size of Rudy’s desire to play for Notre Dame. I was now a tournament wiffle ball player. That summer, I played in two Fast Plastic Qualifying tournaments and I once again realized, I’m not that good… YET! I was addicted.

 
I’ve always considered myself a pretty athletic person. I naturally can compete at any sport I’ve tried. Its just apart of who I am. So when I walked away that summer striking out and giving up bombs with my best pitch, I didn’t get bummed out, I got dedicated. I knew I wasn’t finished. I knew until I can compete with the best in the game, I wasn’t going to be satisfied. I filled myself with the spirit of Rudy. Always show up and never give up.

 
When it comes to playing wiffleball, I’m not blessed with the raw talent of Ryan Wood and I lack the years of experience playing at a high level. Don’t get me wrong, my brother is no lobbin’ over the plate wiffle pitcher, but the level I saw 3 summers ago, addicting!

 
Since the summer of 2009, I have improved my game to a level that I had to experience the best. The GSTC OPEN National Championships in Boston. That’s a 5 hour flight and a weekend away from my wife and 11 month old. Am I crazy? My wife thought so, and her parents… but I didn’t care. I had to see if I could compete with the best. I only mustered 4 hits during the two days of the best wiffle I’ve ever seen. One of them was a game-winner. But still not good enough, and still not satisfied. The spirit of Rudy to keep pushing forward for what I want is still haunting me. I have to compete. I have to stand in that batters box against the best in the game, and I want that pitcher to think… that’s Moc, he will not stop f’n playing. He gets better every year.

 
Someday, I hope young wifflers will see my movie in 2026 called “Moc” and be moved by my dedication to the game and no matter how old you are, you can always get better. Even if it is just a game with a plastic ball…

 

Watch the Rudy Clip Here!

Guest Post by Jim Dalby…

 
There is something magical when you can combine several of the things you love into an event. I had nothing to do with organizing the Reggie Sanders Foundation for Autism Wiffleball game, and I wasn’t exactly excited about it. After getting home from work at one a.m., the thought of getting up to drive across town for a 7:30 a.m. start wasn’t thrilling me much. My excuse? I forgot how much I love this game.

 
After the day finished, I left the Diamondbacks’ new Talking Stick Field incredibly impressed. I had not met Nick Benas before. I knew of him from being at the helm of Big League Wiffle Ball, but that was it. I learned of this event only last week and had no idea how he was gonna pull it off, but it worked, and it worked incredibly well.

 
The celebrity game was preceded by Jim Balian, the two time Fastplastic wiffleball player of the year, facing off against a Murderer’s Row of sorts in some fast pitch action. Reggie Sanders started it off, with no success. Steve Finley dug in next and you could tell he was really wanting to put the ball in play against the two time national champ. Finley left the box after what had to be seven strikes. Next up was decathlon world champion Dan O’Brien, who surprised me with a good swing, but he had the same result. Former-Giant pitcher Russ Ortiz showed some very good skills at the dish, but after a first pitch drop ball from Balian pounded the zone, Ortiz shook his head and mumbled. His mumbling didn’t last long after a backwards K, and was followed up by Greg Swindell’s strikeout making it 5 in a row for the Arizona Viper star. Here is what is impressive…the great attitudes by all. I heard Finley telling of his experience all through the day, “there is nothing i could do that’s harder than hitting that” was the former-D’Backs first reaction after his at-bat.

 
The slow pitch celebrity game worked also, it really did. Former Met Al Schmeltz pounded two bombs to lead O-B’s Old Timers to a big win over Reggies All-Stars. I tried to not getting a stalking citation from bothering Bert Campaneris. The great former A’s shortstop from the late 60’s and early 70’s looked like he was in better shape than most people half his age. He still has a great swing, and the speed is still there. Did I mention attitudes? This was a fun group that actively involved themselves with everyone around. Nick and Jim represented our sport very well, and seemed to be able to mix in with anyone. Not enough for you yet? How about Miss Arizona lacing a single and running bases in high heels?

 
Great day that had me really missing everything about Wiffle, the friendships, competition, everything. I really hope to get to work with Nick in any future events to sets up, he pulled off an incredible day for a great cause that a lot of people will talk about for awhile.

Message from Nick Benas: Jim Balian was amazing on the mound, please stay tune this week for videos and pics! A special thanks goes out to Mr. Jim Dalby for taking control of both teams in the dugout and handling the stacked line-up cards.

This Month in WIFFLEBALL by HMPFILMS

Matt McHugh showing off his secret Wiffle Ball Pitches.

Why you should participate: This is a once in a life time opportunity to play WIFFLE ball on a world class facility with world class athletes and raise money for a great cause. Play the game of  WIFFLE ball with former MLB players and mingle with them at the after event reception, being held in the stadium. Entertain clients by allowing them to come out and enjoy a wonderful morning of friendly competition, while raising money for a cause that is affecting 1 out of 100 children.

The Reggie Sanders Foundation

SARRC

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ALUMNI

Big League Wiffle Ball

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick

Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center

Present…

Yellow Bat Fury

Saturday, July 9th 2011 MLB ALL STAR Weekend

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick Scottsdale, AZ (Home Of  The Arizona Diamondbacks & Colorado Rockies Spring Training)

Check-in 8am to 9am First Pitch 9am

Awards Reception

Only Accepting 4 Exclusive Teams to Support Reggie Sanders’ Charity
Autographed Memorabilia & Prizes Provided 1st Through 4th Place

Team Package (Bring 9 Players) – $2,500
Guarantee of (2) 5-inning WIFFLE BALL GAMES- Winner’s & Loser’s Bracket
Guarantee to play with Former/Present Professional Baseball Players & Celebrities
Each player receives a tournament t-shirt and a ticket for the Awards Reception

Individual Package – $250 per person
Guarantee of (2) 5-inning WIFFLE BALL GAMES- Winner’s & Loser’s Bracket
Guarantee to play with Former/Present Professional Baseball Players & Celebrities
A tournament t-shirt and a ticket for The Awards Reception

Tickets to Watch the Game – $2

Please contact: John Zackery
Special Events Coordinator
Reggie Sanders Foundation
(602) 421-3479
jzackery@gmail.com

Rolling Rock Park

SLAMDiabetes™ is hosting an event at Little Fenway to raise awareness and funds for Type 1 diabetes research. www.parentingdiabetickids.com/wiffle

 

Twelve teams will play some competitive, fun wiffle ball in front of fans and spectators at the world’s greatest wiffle ball venue, Little Fenway and Little Wrigley in Essex, Vermont.


 
Events include:
* Opening Ceremonies, including Team Introductions and Ceremonial First Pitch.
* 12 teams, four divisions, two games minimum.
* Playoffs for the top teams from each division, culminating in the tournament Championship Game.
* Home Run Derby: Anyone can sign up!
* Kids and Celebrities Game.
* Awards Presentation: Championship Trophy, Tournament MVP, Team Spirit, Player MVP, Best Uniform and Play-of-the-Day Awards
* Silent Auction