It takes more than you think to get a Wiffle ball out of the park.

Last week, circumstances beyond our control led to the omission of the Outdoors feature where Michael Staton and I battle in varied tests of our athletic abilities outdoors.

Really, it was just us being lazy and not wanting to go out into the heat for one week. It finally rained, so it was a great time to simply enjoy the fact that something other than UV rays were pouring down upon us.

But enough with the excuses; this week, Michael and I went to Linley Park in Anderson for a friendly game of Wiffle ball home-run derby. The game is simple enough: We throw the ball up, hit the ball and try to hit a “home-run” that is determined based on the average distance we can actually hit the ball.

Using this Wiffle ball and bat, we went with anything outside the infield.

Michael was up first in this best-of-three endeavor. He threw the ball in the air, swung the bat and…whiff. He threw the ball, swung the bat and … a line drive that made it to first base. He threw the ball, swung the bat and … well, you get the idea.

Michael had a rough time his first try at Wiffle ball home-run derby and didn’t get one out of the infield.

I, on the other hand, hit my first one out and won round one.

For the second, Michael opted to go first when he saw how easy it was to hit one out. After adjusting for the wind and cursing a bit, he hit two out within his 10-out inning.

So, I came up, hit three out in six tries and went to enjoy a cold beer after a fine athletic display in 90-degree heat.

Michael is getting a little despondent, so next week will be horseshoes. Apparently, he is pretty good at the lucky-charm toss. And we are already in the works for a finale that will pit two teams in a game that we all remember from childhood.

Remember, you too can play outside for a while each day. Just come up with a game or steal the idea from us and get out there. Anderson and beyond are filled with tons of things to do, if you have the ambition to do them.