Last Updated: February 22nd, 2024 by Jake Cain
The best part of playing Wiffle Ball with your buddies was pretending you were your favorite big leaguer.
Depending on your age, that might have been the Joe Morgan chicken wing flap, Gary Sheffield’s waggle, or Rickey Henderson’s crouch.
We polled our fans on Facebook and here’s a list of the most iconic batting stances that every kid was imitating.
Willie Stargell
Wilver Dornell “Willie” Stargell, a towering figure for the Pittsburgh Pirates, was not only one of the game’s great power hitters but also had a batting stance that left an indelible mark on young fans. Standing at the plate, he was known for his rhythmic windup and a powerful, whirling swing that could send the ball soaring out of the park — a move that kids emulating MLB heroes would replicate in backyard Wiffle ball games. His iconic batting posture, complete with a high bat angle, and the emphatic follow-through after the mightiest of hacks made “Pops'” stance something of a baseball legend, with youngsters dreaming of matching his on-field heroics.
Julio Franco
Julio Franco’s unconventional batting stance is iconic in baseball lore; he held his bat high and almost perpendicular to his body, creating an unmistakable silhouette that was ripe for imitation during backyard Wiffle Ball games. His prolonged, whip-like swing came from an exaggerated cocking of the wrists, allowing him to wait on pitches and drive the ball with power. This distinct approach at the plate not only made Franco a feared hitter but also a favorite for young baseball fans to mimic, hoping to channel some of his batting prowess into their own game. Kids admired the longevity of his career as well, with Franco playing in the Major Leagues until the age of 49, a testament to the success of his unique hitting style.
Joe Morgan
Joe Morgan’s uniqueness at the plate made his stance one of the most recognizable and commonly mimicked among kids playing wiffle ball. With his left elbow famously flapping like a chicken’s wing, Morgan had a quirky yet effective means to time the pitcher’s delivery before launching into his compact swing. He brought flair to the plate, inspiring young baseball enthusiasts to emulate his rhythmic and distinctive batting style that not only caught the eye but demonstrated the effectiveness of rhythm in hitting.
Pete Rose
Pete Rose, renowned for his hustle, had a batting stance that was as iconic as his career hits record. Crouched low with his body coiled like a spring, Rose was all about focus and determination, gripping the bat with a sense of purpose that was almost palpable. Kids emulating Rose during a game of Wiffle Ball would often mimic his intense stare down the pitcher’s mound, his bat waggle, and the way he would explode into the ball with a controlled yet aggressive swing.
Ken Griffey Jr.
Few swings in baseball are as iconic and emulated as that of Ken Griffey Jr.. His stance was a classic example of balance and poise, with a certain nonchalance that belied the power he unleashed. Kids everywhere tried to mimic the way he’d waggishly waggle his bat before launching into a smooth, left-handed stroke that made contact look effortless.
Griffey’s charisma and his infectious love for the game shone through in every swing, making it a go-to for backyard Wiffle ball games. The Kid’s technique, with his hat worn backwards and that picture-perfect follow-through, was something young fans could not only look up to but also physically reproduce in their own play. It was this accessibility and flair that etched his style into the memories of a generation.
He made the act of hitting a baseball look simple and fun, which is precisely why countless young players aspired to swing like Griffey. The combination of his aesthetic form and outstanding performance solidified his stance as one of the most imitated among youth, homage to one of baseball’s most beloved sluggers.
Mickey Mantle
Mickey Mantle’s iconic stance at the plate was a hallmark of his playing style and a favorite among kids playing wiffle ball. Standing with his feet spread wide and knees slightly bent, he held the bat level with a relaxed grip before unleashing a powerful swing. Mantle’s ability to switch-hit with formidable power from either side made his stance a versatile classic that kids tried to replicate, dreaming of their own walk-off home runs.
Eric Davis
Eric Davis stood out with his iconic batting stance, immediately recognizable with a low crouch and a bat held high and waggling behind the head. He kept his feet close together and would uncoil with a smooth yet powerful swing, often resulting in home runs that left kids and fans in awe. Mimicking Davis’s stance, children around the neighborhood wiffle ball games would try to emulate his balance of poise and power, hoping to capture the magic of his notable Reds career.
Rod Carew
Rod Carew’s batting stance was as unique as his hitting prowess. Kids mimicking Carew would stand at the plate with a relaxed, crouched posture, feet close together, and bat held high. He was renowned for his smooth, level swing and ability to hit the ball to all fields, making him an ideal model for young players learning the art of contact hitting.
Gary Sheffield
Gary Sheffield’s distinctive batting stance was an unforgettable sight for any baseball fan. With a fearsome bat wiggle and quick wrists, he possessed a swing that epitomized power and agility, making it a favorite among aspiring young players. Trivia about his stance includes a high leg kick and the ability to turn on even the fastest pitches, contributing to his reputation as a formidable hitter.
His aggressive approach at the plate was not just for show; it translated into screaming line drives that intimidated pitchers and captivated fans. Kids emulated Sheffield’s stance because it symbolized confidence and the thrill of hitting a baseball hard, qualities every young player dreams of embodying. His style was more than a stance; it was a statement, a reflection of a hitter with the skill to back it up, as remembered by the Society for American Baseball Research.
Sheffield’s influence continues to resonate in backyards and ballfields. His bat waggle and plate demeanor are imitated not only because of their uniqueness but also because they remind us of the raw talent and excitement Sheffield brought to the game.
George Brett
George Brett’s hitting stance and swing are among the most iconic and widely imitated by kids playing wiffle ball. Standing at the plate, he held a high back elbow and a relaxed but focused posture, a look that exuded both confidence and readiness. His fluid motion and powerful follow-through made his swing look effortless, contributing to his reputation as one of the greatest hitters in baseball history, making it irresistible for young fans to mimic in their backyard games.
Children loved copying Brett’s style not only for its effectiveness but also for its distinctive character; it was immediately recognizable and linked to his many accomplishments, including the famous Pine Tar Incident. Brett’s ability to consistently hit for both power and average is something youngsters admired and aspired to emulate, understanding that mimicking a legend could bring them closer to their own sports dreams.
Carl Yastrzemski
Carl Yastrzemski’s batting stance is iconic, easily recognized by its unique elements. He stood at the plate with a high-held bat, his left elbow pointed distinctly upwards—a posture that seemed to epitomize focus and power. Generations of kids have mimicked Yastrzemski’s batting technique, largely because it feels so distinct and purposeful, and it carries the allure of a baseball legend.
Yastrzemski, often referred to as “Yaz”, could seamlessly shift his weight during his swing, combining that with exceptional wrist action for that whip-like swing. Kids loved imitating him not only for his effective swing but for the characteristic flair that seemed to embody the confident, carefree spirit of playing baseball. His ability to consistently make solid contact made his stance and swing something that young players could aspire to replicate.
His time spent with the Red Sox has made his number 8 synonymous with resilience and excellence in the outfield and at bat. Wiffle ball games across backyards echoed with the famous Yaz stance, as it encapsulated the joy and emulation of baseball for many aspiring players. No wonder his legacy endures, not just in Fenway Park, but in the stance and swings of young baseball enthusiasts.
Mike Schmidt
Mike Schmidt’s batting stance was an iconic sight on the diamond. With his knees slightly bent and a high back elbow, Schmidt’s poised yet powerful posture exuded confidence and controlled aggression. His ability to crush balls with both power and precision made him an often-imitated figure among aspiring young sluggers playing around with Wiffle bats.
Schmidt’s swing followed through with a level of discipline and mechanics that made it textbook material for those learning the game. He stood out not only for the strength of his hits but for the stylish execution, which led to impressive home runs. This aesthetic, combined with his remarkable record, solidified Schmidt as a favorite amongst fans.
Kids loved to mimic Schmidt’s distinctive stance because it embodied the full package of a baseball titan. The way he would step into the pitch and uncoil with precision offered a blueprint for power hitting. To this day, Schmidt’s legacy endures in backyards and parks, where echoes of his swing are passed down through generations of wannabe big leaguers.
Reggie Jackson
Reggie Jackson’s batting stance was both unique and emblematic of his powerful presence at the plate. Standing deep in the box, he would coil up, confidently ready to unleash his home run swing. Kids mimicked Jackson’s stance because it felt like they were channeling one of baseball’s legendary sluggers, the man known as “Mr. October” for his clutch playoff performances.
His swing, a model of both grace and strength, would start with a pronounced leg kick followed by a swift and forceful follow-through. That distinct leg kick served not only as a timing mechanism but also added to the flair that made his swing memorable. Imitating Jackson, kids felt like they were part of those historic moments where he crushed the ball, creating their own backyard drama.
The excitement around imitating Jackson’s swing comes from his reputation for delivering when it mattered most. His ability to turn a game around with a single swing attracted young fans who dreamed of doing the same. His iconic status was cemented by moments like the three home runs he hit in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series, the feat that underpins the desire to emulate his style even years after he hung up his cleats.
Tony Gwynn
Tony Gwynn’s stance was iconic and simple, making it a favorite for kids mimicking their heroes. He stood relaxed and poised, his knees slightly bent, holding the bat high with a controlled, smooth swing that consistently sent the ball between the infield and outfield. Admired for his incredible hand-eye coordination, Gwynn’s technique at the plate led to him being one of the most consistent hitters in baseball, earning him the respect and emulation of young players everywhere.
Craig Counsell
Craig Counsell’s batting stance was unlike any other, immediately recognizable with his bat held high above his head and his elbows pointed towards the pitcher. Kids imitated Counsell not only for the uniqueness of the stance but also because it was distinct and memorable compared to the standard stances often taught. Despite its peculiarity, the stance took Counsell to great heights in his career, including key roles in winning two World Series, which further fueled kids’ desires to mimic his style at the plate.
Jim Rice
Jim Rice’s batting stance was a signature element kids tried to replicate while playing Wiffle ball. Known for his open stance and exceptional wrist strength, Jim Rice stood at the plate with confidence, which was almost as impressive as his 1978 MVP season. He kept his front foot slightly out, ready to pivot and drive the ball with formidable power.
Roberto Clemente
Roberto Clemente’s stance at the plate is iconic in baseball lore. His crouched position and fluid motion exemplify a mastery that young fans eagerly mimic during Wiffle ball games. Clemente’s rhythmic routine before the pitch and his powerful, level swing make the imitation more than a mere child’s play—it’s a homage to one of baseball’s most revered right fielders.
Clemente’s approach to hitting was characterized by incredible focus and a distinctive style that included a front arm held high and a bat pointed skyward. These movements, combined with his ability to drive the ball with precision across all fields, are what make his batting stance memorable. It’s not just about emulating a baseball legend; it’s about adopting the stance of a player who epitomized grace and skill on the field.
Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henderson’s unique stance made him a legendary figure among baseball enthusiasts. Kids would emulate his low crouch at the plate, a posture that seemed poised for explosion into one of his iconic stolen bases. His consistent flick of the bat and rapid back foot kick were quintessential Henderson—style and function merged into an art form that kids imitated endlessly in their backyard games.
His batting ritual was almost theatrical, with a deliberate tightening of his batting gloves and a confident glance across the field, radiating an aura of readiness. It wasn’t just Henderson’s all-time stolen base record that made him a figure to mimic; it was the flare and distinct nature of his stance that captured the imagination of young fans. They admired how he channeled concentration and readiness into every pitch, a lesson in how to be alert and prepared in any situation.
Rickey’s swing, a combination of speed and precision, translated into an aggressive yet controlled motion that kids could practice. Aiming to mimic his sharp eye and quick hands, young players learned the importance of timing and how to make contact with speed. Henderson’s example taught that hitting was not just sheer force, but also a matter of finesse and strategic thinking.
Don Mattingly
Don Mattingly, known as “Donnie Baseball,” had a batting stance that was textbook perfection. Often imitated in backyard Wiffle ball games, his left-handed swing was smooth and level, with a slight crouch that screamed power yet control. Kids admired how he could consistently drive the ball with precision, especially “the other way,” to the opposite field, a skill that made Mattingly a fan favorite and a hitting legend.
Dwight Evans
Dwight Evans was known for his distinctive batting stance, which made a lasting impression on young baseball fans playing Wiffle ball. He positioned himself in the batter’s box with a high hand stance and a bat pointed towards the pitcher, which was both formidable and unique. Kids imitated Evans’s stance because it was not only iconic, but they also admired his remarkable defensive skills, capturing eight Gold Glove Awards throughout his career with the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles.
Stan Musial
The Stance: Stan “The Man” Musial stood out with a distinctive hitting pose that was immediately recognizable on any playground. He positioned himself in a crouched stance, with his feet close together and his front foot pointed toward the pitcher. His high-hands grip and coiled back stance gave him a spring-loaded appearance, ready to unleash his powerful swing.
Why Kids Mimicked: Musial’s stance was alluring for its unorthodox nature and sheer effectiveness. Youngsters attempted to replicate the tension and focus in his pose, imagining the feel of connecting with a pitch just as Musial did so many times in his storied career. They emulated his stance because it symbolized a legendary capacity for hitting with both power and consistency.
Impact on the Game: Musial’s methodology at the plate contributed to his legendary status among baseball fans. Kids, dreaming of Major League success, felt a connection to the past glories of baseball when emulating Musial’s iconic batting routine. His approach at the plate remains a classic example of the unique styles that have become part of baseball’s rich history.
Frank Thomas
Frank Thomas’s presence at the plate was unmistakable, with a batting stance that became iconic to fans of all ages. Standing tall and imposing, he held the bat high and away from his body, exuding a sense of power and command that resonated with kids who mimicked his every move. His ability to combine strength and precision turned his swing into a blueprint for backyard Wiffle Ball heroics, instilling the notion that with the right stance, they too could be “the Big Hurt” on the diamond.