As Lake Bluff natives, we can be the first to tell you that the Wiffle Ball Classic (WBC) is much more than a fun day at Artesian Park.
Bluffers can see signs populating yards around town in anticipation of the day. Anyone that has ever been, knows this is more than just a wiffle ball game.
As a community, the WBC has raised over $90,000 for various charities. The event has grown from an initial 6 teams to now a mighty 40: 22 men’s, 10 women’s, and 8 youth squads. Teams are composed of 4-10 players.
This was the 12th annual tournament and the 2024 group of bluffers was able to raise $27,000 for charity. This will raise the grand total over $250,000 over 12 years.
Many say that Lake Bluff is a more tight-knit community than others. Coming together for a good cause comes with ease and enjoyment.
From the men’s league:
Second place: LF Wiffle Ball Team – $3000 to Camp Hope, Project Beísbol, and LFHS Varsity Baseball
Second place (tie): Chico’s Bail Bonds – $3000 to LF Infant Welfare Society
First place: Taters – $6000 to Headstrong, Roberti Community House, and Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation.
First place (youth): The Bananas -$6,000 to Lurie Children’s Hospital
From the women’s league:
Second place: Bluff Babes -$3,000 to the American Diabetes Association
First place: Zoon Squad – $6,000 to the Zachary Porter Foundation
The games are not played with the traditional backyard rules. Here’s a few fun ones:
- Two outs per inning.
- Batted balls fielded or stopped before the infield line is an out.
- Dropped balls by a fielder (anywhere on the field) is a hit.
- Batted ball touching or crossing the infields line is a single, reaching the fence is a double, hitting the fence on the fly is a triple, over the fence is a home run.
Junior Charlie Quick has played in the WBC for four years, but has never been able to reel in a championship.
“The WBC really brings the community together. Parents and kids get to hang out with people they might not always see, and it’s guaranteed to make a few new friends. The games are a blast, and it’s for a good cause,” Quick said.
The WBC is a special day in Lake Bluff and we encourage everyone to get involved with this event and others similar.
