After just two years, the United Wiffle®Ball NCT has seen tremendous growth, along with a positive impact on the national Wiffle® community.  The desire to expand the game across the nation has, and will continue to be a top priority for 2022.  As a result, we as a committee have agreed upon a way to establish your team roster for the 2022 United Wiffle® NCT. In short, we wish to expand United Wiffle® to not only the NCT, but also in continued promotion of gameplay throughout the Wiffle® Ball season.  We wish to align the desires of many to participate where they want, when they want, and with who they want during the spring and summer; while also keeping organizations focused on October glory.

Here are the details:

1. First, we are establishing a new roster rule. Teams that participate in October’s NCT must have a minimum of four players on their final roster. The only exceptions will be an injury and an inability to find a replacement, or travel situation within 48 hours of the event.

This rule will codify what is already occurring. All 44 teams at the 2021 tournament opted for 4 or 5 player rosters and the overwhelming majority did in 2020 as well. In addition, teams are required to have four players in the field at all times at the 2022 tournament. A designated hitter can be used for either the pitcher or one of the other three fielders. The four fielder requirement is being implemented to increase active participation at the tournament.

2. Secondly, in order to be eligible for NCT registration, interested teams must play in a United Wiffle® “Sanctioned” Event during the 2022 year.  Furthermore, at those sanctioned events, at least 3 players on your final NCT roster must play [on the same team] at the event to establish your team’s registration for October.  

The sanctioned events will be a comprehensive list of Wiffle® Ball leagues and tournaments around the country that will satisfy the roster establishment rule. The list will be an inclusive collection of formats and styles taking place across the nation so that every prospective team has an opportunity to play. We are working closely with many different organizations to finalize a list for the 2022 season.  We want to give players and teams ample time to select their roster and register to play in one or more of these sanctioned events.  Many of you will be able to complete this task and have it not impact your Wiffle® season at all. Some will be able to pick and choose an event that a majority of your rostered team will be able to attend.

3. We also will be running back the previously established tradition of the final four teams from the previous NCT being automatically entered in the current year tournament.  These teams can maintain their pre-registration status as long as 3 players of their previous year's NCT roster are on their current year NCT roster.

As always, the United Wiffle® committee continues to work with the formal feedback from 2021 and informal communication from the national player body.  The committee is always trying to make the experience, format and gameplay at the NCT the best it possibly can be! 

Continue to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all info and updates regarding sanctioned events and the NCT in October.