SHELTON, Conn. — A tried and true childhood favorite, the Wiffle Ball, made here in Shelton, could score a place in history next month as it vies for a spot in the National Toy Hall of Fame.

The Wiffle Ball is one of 12 finalists competing for induction into the Hall of Fame, located at The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York. Brothers David and Stephen Mullany, whose dad (at 12 years old) and grandfather created the Wiffle Ball in 1953 at the kitchen table, hope the iconic plastic white ball can hit this one out of the park.

Founder of the Wiffle Ball David Mullany, left, and his sons David J. Mullany, center, and Stephen Mullany, say they are thrilled their product is nominated for the National Toy Hall of Fame. The game was invented by the Mullanys in 1953, and they still manufacture it at their company in Shelton, Conn. Peter Hvizdak/New Haven Register

Facing some stiff competition, the Wiffle Ball is up against the classic likes of the scooter, the spinning top, the coloring book, the puppet, Super Soaker, the American Girl doll, Battleship, Jenga, Playmobil, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Twister.

Only two winners will be inducted into the Hall of Fame for 2015. They will be chosen Nov. 5 by a panel of inventors, historians, educators, psychologists and others. The winning toys will join an iconic collection of 56 toys previously inducted, including Barbie, Mr. Potato Head and Etch-a-Sketch.

The National Toy Hall of Fame was established in 1998 to honor classic toys that continually stand the test of time throughout generations of kids.

David Mullany, who with his brother runs the company at 275 Bridgeport Ave., is thrilled about the nomination.

“It was exciting to see that the Wiffle Ball, which our family has been producing right here in Connecticut since 1953, was considered as a finalist in the nominations,” Mullany said.

Mullany said his father, who still works at the company every day, helped invent the classic ball with his own father “over the course of several evenings” in the summer of 1953 at their Fairfield home.

“I always remember Wiffle Ball being a big part of growing up – whether playing with my brother, in the backyard, or with kids from the neighborhood. … It really occupied a lot of our time and provided us with a lot of fun,” said Mullany.

Mullany said he’d be honored to see the Wiffle Ball take its place in the Hall of Fame. You can vote for your favorite toy at toyhalloffame.org.

“We would certainly appreciate a vote for Wiffle Ball if people feel that we deserve it,” he said. “I hope that, over the years, we have provided folks with lots of fun, fond memories and a connection to family and friends.”

Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell fondly recalled what the Wiffle Ball meant to him growing up in a densely populated neighborhood in Worcester, Massachusetts.

“As one of seven active children playing in a backyard the size of a postage stamp, Wiffle Ball was the game of choice for the Purcell family kids,” Purcell said. “For bases, the overhanging clothesline served as first base, the brown spot in the lawn was second, and third base was somebody’s jacket. Hitting the ball over the fence into the neighbor’s yard was an automatic out, and to add insult to injury, you had to climb the fence to retrieve the ball. Those were the times when summer days seemed to be endless, and memories were created that last a lifetime.”

To this day, Purcell and his family still play the iconic game at family outings.

As for the nomination, Purcell noted, “The Chamber and Shelton residents alike are pleased and proud to be the host city for a company whose product is known the world over, and is synonymous with family fun.”

Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti was also a fan.

“I remember being a little boy playing Wiffle Ball, taping up the bat and ball with duct tape so you have more power with batting when the ball was hit,” Cassetti said. “I had a lot of fun and spent most of my days and nights doing that.”

Shelton Aldermanic President John Anglace said his nephew teaches physical education in Georgia, and always introduces the Wiffle Ball to his future athletes.

“As a result of this early training, his program has produced some very good baseball players who have gone on to college ball and some even made it to the majors … all attributable to Wiffle Ball in Shelton, Connecticut,” Anglace said.

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