Wiffle Ball Tournaments: Making a Difference in the Lives of Others

In 2011, Darrin Sappenfield and Randi Ball began a wiffle Ball journey that has led to many memories and thousands of dollars donated to charity. The YISH began as a surprise Wiffle Ball tournament for Randi’s 30th birthday between family and friends. The field was temporary with orange snow fence and the first strike-zone. 

In 2012, the YISH was officially created in 2012 along with the fall tournament (the Phenomenon). In 2012, there were five teams and this has grown to seventeen teams in 2018. In 2015, the Legacy Council was formed and the Phenomenon became a charitable event raising $1,016. In 2016, eleven teams raised $1,616. In 2017, sixteen teams raised $1,500 and in 2018, $3,127 was raised. These events are held on three fields, two of which have lights and operational scoreboards. 

“The 2019 Phenomenon event is scheduled for September 28th. Info and registration can be found here: (https://www.theyish.com/the-phenomenon.html) Registration closes September 2nd. 20 teams maximum capacity and to date, we have 14 registered.

Teams are co-ed. Minimum of 6 players and a maximum of 10. Complete rules are on the website. Team entry includes 10 meal tickets and team game shirts. All teams declare a charitable cause when registering. This year the top 3 finishers split proceeds for their causes. Causes have ranged from non-profit organizations, hospitals, family in need (medical, house fire), etc., along with an annual contribution to the children of the late Mitch Finn.

 Tournament play typically begins at 9am and continues all day, usually wrapping up by midnight. We have a blast! We have a 50/50 throughout the day, a “Team Spirit” award, teams have their name and slogan (some choose to “dress up” with a theme of some sort. They get a prize if voted “Best Team Spirit”) and music throughout the day. A food vendor Mess-in-a Round BBQ will be onsite. Spectators and players are responsible, however, for bringing their own beverages. This event is 16 years and older. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or adult family member. We do host a Home Run Derby on the Friday evening before that is open to all ages. (https://www.theyish.com/fun-friday–derby-info.html)

 The Wifflebar Showdown – 2019 is our second year for hosting this event. The idea behind this event is a hybrid of the way the Phenomenon works and the old Ste. Marie softball bar wars. It’s for bar, pub, establishments to build a team and enjoy the afternoon. It will be held on Sunday, August 25th. Dependent on the # of teams, the payout for charity could be up to $2,000. Mess-in-a Round BBQ will be onsite.  Spectators and players are responsible for bringing their own beverages as well. This event is 21 years and older! Registration closes August 18. (https://www.theyish.com/wifflebar.html) Champion team also receives the traveling trophy to display until next year.

 Spectators are welcome to watch both tournaments! (Must be the appropriate age, as specified above.)” – Randi Ball

Sponsorship options are available for businesses and individuals who would like to contribute to the events. In 2018, People’s State Bank donated/purchased the balls. Total Printing Systems has always sponsored any printing needs each year. J&J Venture is our first Gold Sponsor, sponsoring Wifflebar this year. Sponsorship levels will be as follows: Bronze ($50) name in tournament booklet; Silver ($100) name on a posted sign; Gold ($250) small banner on a field fence; Platinum ($500) Large banner on field fence.

YiSH teams have also played in other events. They’ve traveled to Cape Girardeau, Missouri several times to play in the WiffleWorld Summer Classic. Our team of ambassadors recently placed 33rd at the World WiffleBall Champion Tournament held in Midlothian, IL on July 20th and 21st. We fully endorse WhiffKings  effort to unify the national Wiffle Ball community. One of the primary forces behind this movement is Fast Plastic. It’s legendary tournament is moving from Frisco, TX, to Benton, IL, in October of this year. In an effort to field a team for this event, scouts are recruiting experienced players from our regular participants who would be the most competitive for this style of play. This tournament is cut-throat, highly competitive and unlike the others, not a charity event. Last year a $10,000 purse was paid out to the champions.

“Lastly, we have been blessed with an assortment of AMAZING volunteers over the last 8 years. These folks have sacrificed countless hours to build and maintain our infrastructure, donated materials, worked in concessions, the scorekeepers, babysitters, umpires, furnished construction equipment, handled photography and more. Each year they’ve helped us improve what ultimately translates to the experience, in one way or another. Mostly importantly, four years ago, we created the Advisory Council (Legacy 8). The Advisory Council is comprised of eight team captains who are grandfathered into our Phenomenon tournament by way of his or her service, plus a secretary as moderator/tie breaker. We meet once a month to introduce and review the status of items from committees. These individuals have been imperative to our success. The YiSH neither would have been able to grow into what it has become, nor can it continue without them.

 We are continually refining our approach. The goal in 2020 is some form of transition to The YiSH as an umbrella with a Tournament Director/Event Coordinator assigned to our two annual events and extending such an opportunity to 3rd Parties who wish to utilize the facility. i.e. birthday parties, family reunions, class reunions, end of baseball/softball season event, Battle of the Badges (1st Responders), American Heart Association, Wounded Warriors, https://www.slamt1d.org/tournaments/, etc.”