Take a whiff(le) of the latest spring sport

by Mary Helen Sprecher
newsroom@baltimoreguide.com

Whiffle ball, anyone?

No, it’s not a typo. No, it’s not a hallucination. The Mimi DiPietro Ice Rink—the same people who brought you broomball and iceless hockey—have something cooking for spring: the first-ever Wednesday Night Adult Whiffle Ball League.

“It’s for ages 21 and over,” said Mark Burke, recreation director at Patterson Park. “And we’re playing inside the rink.”

At least for now.

“We’ll keep on playing until it gets too miserably hot to play.”

(The Mimi, as it’s known to area residents, is nice and cool in the winter, but that’s because of the ice itself. It doesn’t have an air conditioning system of its own for the off-season).

Burke said he is excited about getting the first season off the ground. There are no tryouts, and both men and women are welcome to join. Baseball and softball skills are appreciated, but not required.

“We’ll try getting six to seven players per team, and about four to six teams,” he said. It’s a number which, by his calculations, should add up to good inter-league play.
“We’re just trying to get it started now.”

If he doesn’t get the expected number of people, he added, “then we’ll just have a fun league and we’ll try for more people next year.”

Those who are interested can show up at the Mimi at 6 p.m. on Wednesday. All equipment will be provided. Players should dress appropriately for athletic activity. Fees have not yet been determined. Questions should be directed to Mark Burke at 410-396-9392, or Mark.Burke@baltimorecity.gov.