The 6th Annual “South Lake Wiffle Ball Classic” Is Coming Up In Farley!
I met Jackie a few years ago during one of our Radiothon events for the Children's Miracle Network and the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital.
Jackie was diagnosed a few years back with a very rare cancer... ogliodendro-glioma astrocytoma. She's recovered and in the years since has started Jackie's Cause, a foundation which helps other kids with their spinal cord and brain cancer journeys. All the money she raises and donates goes straight to research for these cancers.
In 2016 her former neighbor and friend Cade was scrolling through YouTube and came across MLW Wiffle Ball, a huge wiffle ball league, and decided the idea to host his own tournament would be a fun idea.
A few years in and Cade told me their last event featured 54 teams! In fact, Cade said the event they've been hosting for the last few years is getting to be close to being the biggest of its kind in the nation.
Next Tuesday (7/27) will be the entry deadline to get a team registered for the event. The tournament will be held the same week on Friday and Saturday, July 30th and 31st.
Teams are just 3 people, which includes your pitcher and a right and left fielder. You play 3 inning games in this double-elimination tournament. Rules are similar to baseball although in this game you are allowed to throw the ball at the opposite team members in an effort to get them 'out.' It's still 3 strikes in an out and 3 outs in an inning.
Cost is just $30 per team or $10 per person. Friday they play the 6 to 10 year old division and the 14 to 18 year old division. Saturday it's the 11 to 13 year old and the 19+ division.
Anyone can play and all the money raised goes straight to Jackie's Cause! Since the first event they've raised and donated over $15,000 to the cause!
If you'd like to play you can sign up online at their WEBSITE or through their FACEBOOK page.
The South Lake Wiffle Ball Classic will be held at South Lake in Farley. It's the subdivision right off the highway as you pull in... Cade says you can't miss it!
~Chris Farber