HAMPDEN – Hampden kids will have a chance to get out on the field at Memorial Park and play ball during the third annual Wiffle Ball Tournament on Aug. 24.

The goal is to “get the kids out there and have a good time,” Eric Jacobson, vice-chair of the Hampden Parks and Recreation Department, told Reminder Publishing.

The Wiffle ball tournament came about a few years ago at a Parks and Rec meeting while discussing ways to get kids involved in activities during the summer.

On average, Parks and Rec Department Administrative Assistant Kristen Gumlaw said, about 30 people register for the tournament. The first year was a little better than the second in terms of turnout, said Jacobson.

There are between 10 and 20 teams across five different age divisions. Jacobson said it was competitive, yet fun.

“They can all play. They can all have fun,” he said.

Wiffle ball is similar to baseball in many respects. The differences include the lightweight ball and a lack of bases to run.

Instead, Wiffle Ball, Inc., the company that invented the Wiffle ball, states there are four “areas:” the single area is from the home plate to about 24-feet away, the double area stretches roughly 20-feet past that, and the triple area extends another 20-feet. A home run is anything past the end of the triple area.

In the tournament, teams are made up of two to four people, with three people who play the field each inning and up to four people who take turns at-bat.

“We prefer people to sign up ahead of time but kids can come the day-of,” said Jacobson. If there is only one child they can be paired with other teams, he said.

“We try to keep it a little bit fair with all the ages,” said Jacobson.

Memorial Park is also a water park, Jacobson said, so kids who aren't playing can have something to do and those who are playing can enjoy themselves after the tournament.

The tournament begins at 10 a.m., although, there is a warm-up period and late registration at 9 a.m.     The Parks and Recreation Dept.  is asking for a $5 per pre-registered player donation and $7 for those who take advantage of the day-of registration.

Jacobson called the Hampden VFW “a class act,” for providing the hamburgers and hotdogs at the tournament. He also said Memorial Park is providing water.

To register for the tournament, people can visit hamdenma.gov/parks-recreation. The registration will be under forms and applications.

In addition to mailing it to the Department, there are two drop boxes, one at the back of Town Hall and one outside of the Parks and Recreation Department.