Wiffleball is a variation of baseball created by a father, David Mullany who was looking for a better way to teach his boys to throw pitches past each other. It was changed to be able to play indoors or outdoors in small or large areas. A few smart marketing tricks later, Wiffleball began to get played sandlots, picnics, and backyards.
Wiffleball originated in Shelton, Connecticut and the creators started making their own plastic bats and balls as they kept breaking windows with baseballs. Special equipment was needed so that they could safely play in backyards. In the 1990s, Wiffle Ball leagues have been quite popular in the country with thousands of dollars of cash prizes, which is a huge incentive to teams all around to train.
Quick Comparison Table & Our Pick!
PRODUCT NAME | Weight (Grams) | Length (Inches) | BUY NOW |
|---|---|---|---|
308.0 | 34.0 | ||
300.0 | 33.0 | ||
294.0 | 34.0 | ||
Other Great Recommendations | |||
340.0 | 32.0 | ||
320.0 | 34.0 | ||
480~ | 32.0 | ||
What’s The Difference Between A Wiffle Bat and a Baseball Bat?
To an amateur baseball and Wiffle ball bats may look the same but they do differ in width, length, barrel and most importantly, the material of the bat. Wiffle Ball bats have a thinner and longer barreled than baseball bats.
The handle diameter tends to be slightly thicker and transition from barrel to handle tends to be at a more gradual slope for Wiffle. Baseball players require a small diameter at the handle to create more speed while Wiffle bats are thicker for a gradual slope and curving.
How To Choose Wiffle Ball Bats
Grips
The handle offers more stability to the batters and absorbs a little more shock on the miss-hits. This handle allows a player to move their hands quicker. The Wiffle ball bats are required to have knobs at the handle end in order to prevent the bat from slipping in case of any hard swings.
Durability
Usually, Wiffle bats are of plastic which is why they are cheaper than baseball bats. But keep in mind that at the end of the day, it should be able to withstand some wear and tear. Take a look at the reviews for durability and do not go for low-quality plastics. Bats made from polymer are quite durable and built to last.
Value sets or single products
If you’re new to the game, it is better to buy a set as you may not know all the things needed to play the game! If you’re somewhat of a seasoned player, you may want to choose the bat and ball of different brands according to your preference. Many sets today come with quite a number of balls and even carry bags which is such a good value for the price. This decision is really up to you and what value you are seeking for your budget.
Weight
Choosing a heavier bat can slow down your kid’s swings and this may also decrease the hitting power. Hence, choose the bat according to the age of your kid. Select the lightweight bat if your kid is small with less muscle.
Children looking to learn this game should choose a lightweight bat weighing less than 1 ounce. For an adult, plastic bats weighing 7 ounces will give the momentum needed for the right swing.
Length
While choosing the bat size for your youngster, his height, weight, and age play an important role. Hence, weigh and measure your son before you start with the shopping of the Wiffle ball bat.
Now that we’ve gone through the basic features, here are our top 5 choices for the best Wiffle ball bat that checks the above boxes:
The Best Waffle Ball Bats In The Market For The Money!
#1 The Easton Pro Stix 1000
The design, feel and customizability makes the Easton Pro a favourite amongst many beginner and amateur players. The Easton Pro Stix 1000 is made of plastic and is 33 inches long. Although you can only find it in black colour, it has a nice wood-grain finish that makes it look pricier than it actually is.
The end of the bat features a nice knob at one with a taper that makes it look like a baseball bat. Now another bonus is that the handle is not very thin so you can add a leather grip if you find it lacking.
This bat is quite stiff as it is made from hard inflexible plastic. If you plan to use this bat with only Wiffle balls, longevity will not be an issue and it should last for 4-5 years easily. But if you use it with a hard ball, this bat will not be up to the job.
Performance-wise, the Wiffle ball is good as it has an extended sweet spot and can suit all kinds of players even beginners. The bat does come with a ball which is quite hard and not suitable for kids.
Pros:
- Great design
- Easy to handle
- Suitable for tall players
Cons:
- Wobbly when you swing hard on it
#2 Blitzball 6-Player Champions BlitzBall Set with Soft Grip Handles
The Blitzball Wiffle set is inexpensive and comes with the equipment one would need for a fun-filled game. It is the perfect addition to your next BBQ or family gathering. This set features one croquet bats made of plastic and 3 yellow colourful polyresin balls, saving you from having to buy the three balls elsewhere.
This gear is perfect for beginners and is colourful for better visibility. The bat is blue colored, while the balls are yellow. Weighing 10.2 ounces, the blitzball bat is on the heavier side of the scale but have enough weight to allow a fast swing. We would recommend this bat for anyone beginning their sporting journey.
The barrel is medium-sized which will suit the gameplay of most people, even children. The length is also average but does not go using this to play real baseball. The balls are not perforated as most wiffle balls so you will find it difficult to create curves.
While the handles are not padded, they are comfortable to hold and should not slip even if you get sweaty. We’ve also noticed that both the bat & balls withstood heavy hitting. Although Blitzball has not advertised the set to be weather-proof, we were not too concerned with the set cracking up in hot weather.
Pros:
- Great accompanying free balls
- Excellent visibility
- Fast-moving, non-perforated balls
Cons:
- Not friendly for kids under the age of 10
#3 Louisville Slugger Replica Bat
If you follow major league baseball, this bat may remind you of the bat used by Ken Griffey. Of course, this one is made of plastic. Do not worry about this bat looking cheap as it has an exterior wood-grained plastic. This feature might have you biased towards it and why not! There is no harm in wanting to camouflage a plastic bat into something more premium. And since it is black in color, it looks minimalist in design. With a length of 34 inches, this is perfect for teens and adults but can be a little annoying for kids to use.
The Louisville Slugger is one of the few bats that can perform equally well as the more expensive Easton Pro Stix. One major difference is that the Slugger has a medium-sized barrel which allows you to hit the ball hard while the Easton has a large barrel.
With this purchase, you will also get a white wiffle ball made of plastic. Now since this set is quite inexpensive, we cannot have high expectations with the ball. It’s best that you order a specialized wiffle ball online to go with the bat.
Pros:
- Uses high-quality plastic
- Replica of the Louisville slugger used in the major baseball leagues
- Plastic baseball bat and ball are Made in USA
Cons:
- The plastic ball is not very good in terms of quality
#4 Wiffle Ball Bat
Nothing can replace the charm of classics, am I right? This lemony yellow bat is actually manufactured by the company that created the game of wiffle. We’re sure that if you’re a 90’s baby, you would have seen this bat around for sure. At a length of 32 inches long, this bat is the right size for adults and kids who can handle the weight. It is quite hollow from the inside which makes it light enough for kids to handle. This classic wiffle bat has a limited flight which is handy for those in limited playing space.
Durability is the USP of this bat as it is made of strong plastic. As long as the bat is being used for its intended purpose, it will last for years. It has a smooth surface with slight texture in the handles that improves grip. You’d need to purchase a ball separately, but that’s not too big of an issue.
Pros:
- Good value for money as it comes in a set of 2 bats
- Safe for kids of all ages
- Nostalgia factor may incentivize
Cons:
- Some people might find the width the barrel to be thin
#5 GTSOH Bat for Wiffle Ball Plastic with Wooden Handle
The GTSOH is different from all the other ones on this list because it has premium features like a wooden knob and a tape grip for better grip and feel. This bat has a length of 34 inches and has black tape around the handle that provides a much better grip than plastic ones. You can bet that this bat can actually handle perforated wiffle balls as the original game wanted it to be.
The barrel is quite wide at 2.5 inches which allows the player to go for those hard pitches and fast ball throws. While the GTSOH bat isn’t the cheapest, it is still reasonably priced for its features and good quality. They don’t come with perks like free balls though.
Pros:
- Good quality with a wooden knob and pre-taped handle
- Wide barrel to allow for hard hits
- Good for more seasoned players
Cons:
- Some reviewers did not find the bat to be weather-proof
#6 Wiffle Ball 6 Baseballs Official Size - 6 Pack and Wiffle Ball 32" Bats 2 Pack
If you’re not ready to purchase a prime-quality wiffle bat and just want something basic to try out the game, this is a good choice for you. Now, this Wiffle ball set is a steal for its price as it is a set with 2 yellow wiffle bats, 6 white wiffle baseballs, 5 piece throw down bases with a home plate, pitcher's plate, and three base set and a fun NOIS tissue pack.
The bat is 32” in length which is quite long and making is great for teens and adults. It is lightweight, although the quality does not suffer as it is made of a tough rubbery plastic.
The balls are not on the lighter side and this is a good sign as they need to have some weight to be thrown far. They are pretty colourful and don’t seem like it will fade even after heavy usage. They are also weather-resistant, so there’s no hurry to gather them right after your game. Most importantly, they are perforated which will give it enough momentum to be thrown far and wide.
The bases and home plate that come with this set are about one square foot while the pitching plate is 1 foot wide. They are also made of durable rubber that can be washed, is durable, and flexible. While some may find the bright orange jarring, it is coloured with the purpose of being easy to spot when running the bases. This whole set weighs less than 4 pounds which will give no trouble carrying around.
Pros
- Is a full-fledged set with washable throw-down mats
- Lightweight which makes it portable
- The vibrant color of the mat allows greater visibility while pitching
- Bat is lengthy and can withstand fast balls
Cons
- Expert players may not like this set
Conclusion
Wiffle ball is a really fun way not only for your children but also for your adult friends and family to experience the outdoors and nature. At this point anything that can distract from screens is good! Since they don’t require the strength and energy of baseball, beginners and amateur players will have an easy time picking Wiffle ball up.
Most beginners choose The Easton Pro Stix 1000 for their first bat as it is quite cheap and popular. But if you have a little more to spend, the GTSOH uses premium materials like wood in its design that will give you professional touch without affecting performance. But go ahead and try any of the above-reviewed ones without worry!
FAQs
Are Wiffle ball bats durable?
Yes, the bats are made to last longer as they come from high-quality plastics, mostly polyethylene. This makes it lightweight and suitable for all your family members. It is also easy to use.
Are the bats made for kids heavy?
Kids will require soft and lightweight bats to help them train fast and master the game's concepts. They also work well with light balls to ensure you don't have your opponent when in use.
Are the Wiffle ball bats affordable?
The bats come at different prices and will meet your budget demands. You'll need to pick on the type of Wiffle ball bat and get the budget-friendly type. Ensure all the best features are incorporated in the Wiffle unit you are buying.
What is the best pitch size for playing Wiffle ball?
The pitch sizes vary from one zone to the other, but a standard pitch should be 20 feet with a length of 60 feet. This will allow all players to enjoy the game and train with ease.
Are the Wiffle ball bats worth it?
If you are looking for a new game for the family, this would be ideal. It is simple to learn and safe for everyone. It is also affordable.
