Students walking to class on midweek nights may notice a new sort of commotion developing on Fletcher Lawn. Wiffle ball is coming to the West campus every Wednesday night at 6:15 p.m.
The Wiffle Ball Wednesdays club cofounders Ryan Caracciolo, a political science junior, and Alex Renckly, a political science senior, described their vision to bring a more involved community to the West campus through the sport.
Not only is Wiffle Ball Wednesdays one of the most “catchy alliterations known to man,” according Caracciolo, but the sport is also “the great equalizer,” and “everyone is welcome to join the game.”
Without any fees or obligations, this new club offers students a quick and easy way to get to know their peers outside the classroom, Caracciolo said. No gear, talent, or experience is required to start playing, and no online registration or pen and paper is required to sign up.
Though many may remember Wiffle ball as a childhood activity, the game may inspire confusion in some.
“I don’t even know what that is,” political science senior Lloyd Tuilefano said.
Wiffle ball is essentially a safer brand of baseball. All the rules are the same, but the ball and bat are plastic, so students can hit the ball as hard as they want, and the neighboring classrooms won’t have to worry about any potential broken windows.
A good Wiffle ball game has about four to five players on each team, but everyone is welcome, Caracciolo said. As of last week, there are 12 participating members of the club.
Instead of idly sitting inside, waiting for class to start, students now have one more way to spend their time at West campus on Wednesday nights.
“I might actually go to that,” elementary education senior Omar Chaudhry said.
In the end, all the club is trying to facilitate is a little social time for students to let their brains have a break and participate in a little friendly competition.
“That’s what this campus needs, more community,” Caracciolo said.
If students decide to show up this Wednesday, they will have the choice of being part of either of the co-founder’s teams: Team Ryan, or Team Alex.
Caracciolo added he would like to remind all those who played last week that Team Ryan beat Team Alex: 6 – 1.
Reach the reporter at theald@asu.edu.
