Hub courts young workers with Wiffle ball

Wiffle ball is a safe way for kids to learn to play baseball without risk of getting beaned by a high, hard one. And with a ball that flutters and dips, the game gives every pitcher the potential to be a knuckle-ball ace a la Tim Wakefield of the Red Sox.

But Boston officials also see Wiffle ball as one element of a larger plan to help retain the city's young work force. Connect young folks with the city, and they're more likely to resist the lure of moving away to places where the cost of living is much lower than the Hub's, or so goes the city's reasoning.

Trying to hang onto young folks, including students who came to these parts to get a college education, is one reason why Mayor Thomas M. Menino (left) has scheduled Wiffle Boston 2008, a day-long Wiffle ball tournament for 10:30 a.m. tomorrow at City Hall Plaza.

The tournament is partly organized by ONEin3 Boston, a Menino initiative launched in 2003 that focuses on serving the one-third of Boston's population that is between the ages of 20 and 34.

“Boston’s young people are the key to our city’s vitality," Menino said in a statement. "It’s great that we can host this Wiffle ball tournament on City Hall Plaza as a fun and active way to give back to them. Through ONEin3 Boston, we’ve made great strides in reaching out to the 20-34 year olds who live and work in our city. We’re continually hosting social events to engage with this group and for them to engage with each other – this Wiffle tournament is just another fun and creative way to keep that interaction alive.”

Menino's office said in a press release that registration for Wiffle Boston 2008 "is open for all young people who live, work, and play in Boston. Teams can still register for the tournament at www.SocialBostonSports.com. There is no cost for participation."

The press release added that the games will run seven innings or for 45 minutes.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)