Annual Northern Virginia Wiffle World Series Returns to Vienna

By Ethan Levine

Those looking to enjoy the summer weather next weekend need look no further than a wiffle ball tournament taking place at Vienna's Waters Field.

The 18th annual Northern Virginia Wiffle World Series (NVWWS), hosted by the 2 Young Foundation with corporate sponsor Van Metre Homes, is coming to Waters Field on Saturday, August 3rd. 

Proceeds raised from the event will be donated to the family of Patrick Purcell, a 24-year-old local resident who recently passed away from cancer. Some funds raised will also be donated to the Children's National Medical Center.

"This year it's like the 2 Young Foundation was named for (Purcell)," said Chris Tully, Director of Operations for the foundation. "He was too young to die with so much life left in front of him."

The 2 Young Foundation was founded in 2004 by Brian Bedell, a local brain cancer patient who passed away in 2005 after a 20-month battle with a brain tumor. The foundation is a non-profit (501c3) charity that aims to support patients and families affected by brain cancer, generate public awareness about the disease, and collecting funds for research.

Since its inception, the foundation has hosted the NVWWS each year to raise money and generate awareness throughout the area. This year the money raised by 2YF will go to Purcell's family to help pay off his remaining medical bills, Tully said.

The NVWWS is an all-day event. The festivities begin with team check-in at 8 a.m. followed by the opening ceremonies at 9, which will feature a performance of the national anthem by Abby Miller, a Loudon native and one of the nation's leading advocates for childhood cancer awareness.

The games will last all day, concluding with the championship games at 5 p.m. immediately followed by an awards ceremony (winning teams will walk away that evening with real trophies in hand).

Team registration is still open for teams of 3-4 members. The registration fee is $240 for a team, which includes a tax-deductible donation to the cause, guaranteed entrance in at least three games, the opportunity to participate in a home run derby that day, an event t-shirt and complementary cap for each team member, food and drink tickets, sponsor giveaways and other prizes.

All ages are encouraged to join a team and participate in the event as either a "Major Leaguer," "Minor Leaguer," "Little Leaguer," or as an "Ol' Skool Master." Children six years of age or younger can also form teams to compete on the toddler fields, or they can spend the day in "Kids World" playing games and jumping on the giant moon bounce.

"The day typically consists of about 500 people in attendance with up to 50 teams participating," said Zev Stern, an executive with the Leigh Agency, which is promoting the event. "There is plenty of family entertainment such as inflatable rides, face painters, balloon artists, and outdoor activities." 

The event will also feature a silent auction with prizes donated by many of Vienna's local businesses and the event's sponsors.

In the nine years that the 2 Young Foundation has hosted the NVWWS, the event has raised more than $250,000 towards the foundation's cause.

"The great thing about the event is its sustainability," Tully said. "It's not about it's growth, it's about how it has sustained itself and its cause in the area."

For more information on how to register a team, help sponsor the event or donate to the cause, click here to read more.