The Real Reason Wiffle Ball was Outcasted and Forgotten

Having been looking forward to the beginning of the season, Keigo Kawazoe walked into the UNC Recreation Center to ask questions about registration, with the intention of signing up for wiffle ball. Little did he know, he would leave without the opportunity to play. Only weeks after announcing wiffle ball as an intramural sport, the Rec Center announced the season was canceled and no longer being offered to students.

Prior to the start of season A of intramural sports, the UNC Rec Center announced on Instagram the sports that would be included. The sports included 7v7 flag football, volleyball and wiffle ball. This marked the first time wiffle ball had ever been offered. However, unlike volleyball and football, wiffle ball did not have separate leagues for men’s, women’s and co-rec.

The cancellation happened swiftly and quietly. There was no public announcement or explanation for why the sport was no longer being offered. The post announcing wiffle ball was also not deleted or edited in any way.

“The only reason I even found out it wasn't happening anymore was because I went into the Rec myself,” Kawazoe said. “I didn’t see anything online or on Instagram and I’m not sure why they didn’t at least post about it.”

For each offered sport before the season starts, both supervisors and officials for intramural sports go through training. The training includes a series of presentations and videos that teach the staff the correct calls and how to maintain a smooth flow of the game. These trainings take place the week before the season begins.

It was not until just prior to the training that the officials found out they no longer had wiffle ball training and the sport had been canceled.

“We knew for a while before the season that wiffle ball was going to be offered this year but it kind of did get canceled out of nowhere,” intramural official Kayla Shilz said. “I was honestly surprised because I was expecting a much bigger turnout, especially since this was kind of the launch of the sport as an option here.”

Malik Osborne, manager of recreation sports at UNC, runs the training. Lasting around two hours each, Osborne puts together the presentations along with on-field training. Osborne is also tasked with hiring all rec sports officials and supervisors.

He was adamant that the decision of the Rec to cancel wiffle ball was for no reason other than a lack of sign-ups.

“There weren't enough kids signing up and we wouldn't have been able to run the league,” Osborne said. “We didn't want to cancel it but the season was about to start and there simply weren't enough people.”

The league quickly moved with the other sports, leaving wiffle ball as nothing but a what-if. But why were there so few sign-ups?

Despite no statement regarding the cancellation from UNC, the majority of students believe a lack of proper advertising led to reduced sign-ups. Out of 15 random UNC students surveyed at the Rec Center, 12 were not aware that wiffle ball was being offered. Of the 12 students, six said that they would have been interested in the sport if they had known about it.

Isabel Shibler is a nursing student at UNC who frequents the Rec Center and has participated in intramurals in the past. Her first experience with intramurals came during her freshman year, as she signed up to play volleyball.

“It was really fun and led to me making some good friends and really helped introduce me to the school,” Shibler said.

Shibler was not aware that wiffle ball was being offered. She described the Rec Center in a very positive way but seemed to grow more and more resentful of UNC as she discussed the way the school executes intramurals. Shibler said that there are lots of things that are open for students to participate in but students are usually unaware of any of the events.

“If the school wants us to participate in their events, I feel like there has to be a better way to advertise. I did not see anything about it all year,” Shibler said.

The awareness of the sport was so low that some students currently involved in intramurals were not aware of wiffle ball being offered. Out of a pool of 10 students who are currently involved in at least one intramural sport, four did not know wiffle ball had ever been an option. Only three out of the 10 students claimed to have zero interest in the sport, showing that there is student interest.

Is there a chance we see another attempt at a wiffle ball season? Despite the cancellation, the Rec Center still has the wiffle ball equipment. Every new season offers a chance for new sports or the revival of old ones and they have not shut the door on wiffle ball.

“I’d love to see it work out,” Shilz said. “Not only wiffle ball, but I also want to see a time where the Rec is packed and sign-ups are completely sold out.”

To stay up to date, follow the UNC Rec Instagram account for news and announcements about intramural sports.

Wiffle ball was excluded from season B of intramurals as well. This season included indoor soccer, basketball and dodgeball. Looking forward, the next available season for intramurals will take place after winter break in January. While sports for the season have not been announced, there is always a chance for the reintroduction of wiffle ball or the introduction of a new sport to campus. With questions or issues with registration, please contact Intramural.Sports@unco.edu. For additional information about rec sports, or to purchase the league pass for next semester’s season, please visit https://www.unco.edu/campus-recreation/.