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A similar name, same-sized ball, and the fun nature of the sport make it hard to differentiate Pickleball and Wiffle Ball. The truth is that the two sports have notable differences, are played entirely differently, and have a unique, distinct fanbase.
Pickleball is a professional sport loved by those who enjoy racquet sports and seniors who prefer low-impact games for fitness and recreation. On the contrary, Wiffle Ball is a backyard version of baseball, invented for fun and recreation, and is not a professional sport.
That said, Wiffle Ball is the OG, the older of the two, as it arrived 10 to 15 years before Pickleball became a thing. Also, Pickleball was played initially with a Wiffle Ball ball. That’s the source of this confusion and why people often think the two games are alike.
However, in this article, we’ll settle this confusion by exploring what makes the two sports seem alike and how they are two different sports. In addition, we will also discuss the pros and cons of the two sports to help you decide which is the perfect one for you.
Is a Pickleball the Same as a Wiffle Ball?
Most of the confusion stems from the fact both sports use almost the same size perforated balls with holes. And though they look the same from afar, they are not. Pickleballs and Wiffle Balls have different materials, shapes, designs, and colors. Also, one is significantly lighter than the other.
Left: Wiffle Ball
Right: Pickleball Ball
Material
A pickleball ball has lightweight perforated plastic for improved air resistance and maneuverability. Even though the outdoor balls have a more rigid plastic, it is not as hard as the plastic of Wiffle balls. The latter’s plastic is significantly more rigid to improve its flight and rebound.
Shape and Size
The size of Pickleballs and Wiffle balls isn’t much different. There’s only a few centimeters difference in the diameter of the two. However, their shape is unique. The first is like an enlarged table tennis or ping pong ball, while the other is oval-shaped, about 9 cm in length and 6 cm in width.
Weight
Pickleball balls usually fall between 22.11g and 26.51g, while Wiffle balls are lighter and weigh under 20g. Factor the slightly oblong shape of the Wiffle Ball ball, and it becomes significantly lighter than the other.
Number of Holes
Pickleball ball and Wiffle Ball ball get their distinct characteristics from here. Both balls have a specific number of holes in different shapes, sizes, and configurations. A Pickleball ball has 26 or 40 smaller holes, while the other has 8 larger ones. Also, the former has round holes, and the latter has oblong holes.
The hole number of pickleball varies with where you play the game. Indoor balls have 26 holes to control the bounce and minimize the impact, while outdoor balls have 40 holes to improve the bounce.
Understanding Indoor and Outdoor Pickleball balls
Besides having different materials and number of holes, indoor and outdoor pickleball balls are also manufactured differently. Indoor play requires a smooth surface or softer plastic balls to reduce noise and give players enhanced control and maneuverability. Outdoor pickleballs are weatherproof and molded with UV-resistant material to ensure moisture and temperature variations don’t impact their performance and the ball bounces more.
Left: Indoor Pickleball Ball
Right: Outdoor Pickleball Ball
Differences Between Pickleball and Wiffle Ball Sports
The differences between the two sports become profound if you consider the type of equipment used, where it is played (court or field), and how and how many can play it.
Type of Equipment
Pickleball is a paddle sport. You need a set of pickleball paddles, an adequate ball, and a net system to play Pickleball, while Wiffle Ball requires a Wiffle Ball bat, a ball, and a makeshift strike zone or a lawn chair.
Though their balls are similar, the plastic bat and the Pickleball paddle are like chalk and cheese. The first is long and thin, and the other is shorter, in a racquet-like shape, with a broader strike surface.
The change in shape is because you need to hit a pickleball ball with finesse and control to score the win, while Wiffle Ball is about brute force.
Left: Wiffle Ball Bat
Right: Pickleball Paddle
The Court or the Field
A hard rectangular court with well-defined markings or lines is perfect for Pickleball, while the grass is where you play Wiffle Ball. Even though the grass pickleball court has gained popularity recently, still the differences remain.
Primarily, the disparity is due to how you play the sport. There’s a bounce rule in Pickleball, while you cannot bounce a Wiffle Ball ball. Even though pickleball also permits volleys, it is mandatory to make the ball bounce first, and there’s also a non-volley zone or kitchen where you can’t hit a volley.
Back to the field or court size and shape, the Wiffle Ball field is more like a triangle, in a diamond shape, with three lines marked on it. These lines define the bases, with the furthest one designating home runs.
Left: Wiffle Ball Field
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Right: Pickleball Court
Source: : https://usapickleball.org/
How Pickleball and Wiffle Ball are played?
In addition to other differences, their rules are also distinct. The Pickleball game has more defined rules, as it is a professional sport, and you must abide by them. In contrast, Wiffle Ball is more like a fun version of baseball, and you can also play it with backyard rules where anything goes as long as all players agree to it.
As for the players, there’s another difference here. Pickleball can be played by two or four players (team of two), while 4-10 players can play Wiffle Ball, depending on the size of the field or your backyard.
This makes Wiffle Ball a better option if you are at a family reunion and don’t want to seclude or isolate anyone from the game, while Pickleball is perfect for a smaller group of friends, be it two or four.
Left: Wiffle Ball Games
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Right: Pickleball Games
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Similarities Between Pickleball and Wiffle Ball
Differences aside, there are still a few similarities between the two sports. However, these commonalities are more about what you get from playing the sport rather than how it is played.
Fosters Collaboration and Teamwork
Both Pickleball and Wiffle Ball are a great sport to reconnect and collaborate with your family and friends. They allow you to reconnect with friends or make new ones. Also, playing these sports requires you to be strategic, making them a fun exercise for the mind.
Family-Friendly Competition
Essentially, both sports are family-friendly and perfect for family reunions and vacations. However, they do have a fanbase from different generations. Pickleball is preferred more by adults who want to reconnect and have fun, while kids love to play Wiffle Ball.
That said, it is not like you can’t play Wiffle Ball as a young adult or an adult. It is all about preferences, and if you love baseball and want to experience its thrill for cheap, there is no better alternative than Wiffle Ball.
Good Physical Activity
Both Pickleball and Wiffle Ball are excellent physical activities. Even though both are low-impact sports, Pickleball is more age-friendly and ideal for seniors or people with limited mobility. Hence, it is commonly played in old-age or retirement homes so seniors can enjoy the outdoors and get the needed physical activity.
Pros and Cons of Pickleball and Wiffle Ball
Pickleball is a proper sport, meaning you can also pursue it professionally. Also, it gives you more flexibility, and you can play it on a hard surface like concrete or asphalt or a soft one like grass. However, you need an adequate space to play Pickleball. In contrast, you can play Wiffle Ball even in irregular spaces or in your backyard.
Additionally, flexible rules give Wiffle Ball an edge as a recreational, fun sport. Given it is not a professional sport per se, you can play Wiffle Ball any way you like. But as it is not a professional sport, it is best to keep it a hobby.
Playing Pickleball requires setting up a net, making the lines, and forming the court, which is relatively more time-consuming than setting up the field for Wiffle Ball. So, that’s a point in the favor of Wiffle Ball.
However, it is not like Wiffle Ball is a perfect game for everyone. The biggest issue is that it is unsuitable for seniors or players with limited mobility, tilting the scale towards Pickleball.
Conclusion
So, which is a better sport? Well, it depends. If you love baseball and like to become a backyard Babe Ruth, the Wiffle Ball is your game. On the other hand, if you enjoy racquet sports, are a senior citizen, or an individual with limited mobility searching for a sport to play outdoors without putting considerable stress on your body, Pickleball is for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is a pickleball a Wiffle ball?
No, a pickleball is not a Wiffle Ball or a table tennis ball. There is a clear difference between the two. The first has evenly-spaced, small, round holes, while the other has fewer, larger, and oblong holes. These differences make the two balls behave distinctly, giving pickleball balls better air resistance and maneuverability.
Does Pickleball use a Wiffle ball?
Pickleball was initially played with Wiffle balls, but it is now played with a round, not oval, perforated ball with 26 or 40 evenly-spaced holes. That said, you can still play Pickleball with a Wiffle Ball, but don’t expect it to bounce as perfectly or travel across the net with finesse and precision you desire. So, keep it a last resort!