Big League Wiffle Ball returning with new franchise tournament

• The Western Wiffle Ball Classic is Oct. 19 at Scottsdale Stadium.
• The league will also hold tournaments in Scottsdale on Nov. 2 and in Chandler on Nov. 23.

State of play: Teams consist of three to five players of all ages.

• They can choose whether to compete in a more experienced and skilled division, or a recreational and relaxed one, both of which have playoffs and a championship.
• Each team plays three games against teams in their pools, with the top eight in each division qualifying for a single-elimination playoff bracket.

Zoom in: Only the 10 franchise teams created for the new league that play in the competitive division are eligible for the league's Final Four and World Series in Dallas.

• Those teams consist of experienced players on rosters that are approved by the league, with owners who cover costs.
• The rosters are about half out-of-state players and half Arizonans, league founder and commissioner Logan Rose tells Axios.
• The teams are set, but only about half have full rosters.

• You can apply to join one of the preexisting franchise teams on the league's website and compete in the Western Wiffle Ball Classic.

How it works: Registration costs $120 per team.

• Teams must bring their own bats and balls, and are required to wear the same color. Jerseys are encouraged.

1 big swing: Not interested in playing on a team? You can still swing for the fences in the home run derby.

• Registration is $5, and it's open to anyone.

Catch up quick: Rose, then 14, created Big League Wiffle Ball in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 lockdowns.

• It started in his Scottsdale backyard with four teams that posted videos online of their games.