Kevin Costner Steps Up To The Plate With Big League Wiffle Ball

From Backyard Games to Major League Dreams

When Logan Rose first invited friends and family for a Wiffle ball tournament during the COVID-19 pandemic, little did he know it would evolve into a national phenomenon. Fast forward five years, and that small get-together has transformed into the Western Wiffle Ball Classic, hosted at Scottsdale Stadium – the spring training ground of the San Francisco Giants. Now, at just 19, Rose heads America's first professional Wiffle ball league as its commissioner.

Turns out, if you build it, they will come – Wiffle ball enthusiasts and even a legend like Kevin Costner. This year's Western Wiffle Ball Classic doubled as the Opening Day for Big League Wiffle Ball's inaugural season. Among the league's star-studded ownership roster is Costner, known for baseball classics like “Field of Dreams” and “Bull Durham.”

Hollywood Meets Wiffle Ball in the Desert

Costner, now owner of the Los Angeles Naturals, shares celebrity company with “Dude Perfect” and Gary Vaynerchuk, aka Gary Vee. Speaking about his involvement, Costner noted, “I think people understand my kind of connection to baseball. You know, 'Can you help? Can you support?' You think it has a chance.” His ties to the sport go beyond the screen – he played high school baseball and almost joined Cal State Fullerton's team. Wiffle ball, with its backyard nostalgia, holds a special place in his heart.

“The mythology of Wiffle ball is very strong with me... it could start to develop like this, let’s see where it goes.”

The league's celebrity backers validate Rose's belief in the game. Last year, BLW was a series of tournaments climaxing in the 2024 Wiffle Ball World Series at AT&T Stadium. Now, with a professional model in place, the league stretches its reach with regional tournaments nationwide.

Beyond the Backyard – A New Era for Wiffle Ball

With ten teams, including the Arizona Saguaros, BLW's 2025-26 season promises intense competition across Scottsdale, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Dallas. The Western Wiffle Ball Classic set the tone with players sporting uniforms and customized bats, showing off their skills.

Kevin Costner didn’t just make a cameo appearance; he was in the thick of the action, mingling with fans, signing autographs, and even taking some BP between games. “I’m a New York guy,” Naturals player Jordan Robles commented, “so coming out to beautiful Arizona – this place is heaven on earth to me.”

Closing out the tournament with a 1–0 win over the Boston Harbor Hawks, Costner's Naturals captured the championship. However, the true highlight was the postgame event – a movie night featuring “Field of Dreams,” with Costner adding his personal touch. Commissioner Rose emphasized Scottsdale's significance, calling it BLW’s biggest draw.

As the league looks ahead to Chicago on November 16, it’s clear that Wiffle ball’s days of being a mere backyard pastime are long behind it.