I don't like midget wrestling either, it's really just doesn't have much carryover to any other aspect of grappling. I usually do one of two things.
1.
Armdrag: Usually I just do a quick armdrag to take the back, or to initiate a good scramble. Even if I can't take the back from the armdrag, usually the other person falls to their side or pulls guard. So you'll be on top or have their back, both are good.
2.
Collartie/Head control:
A. Snap the head down into a guillotine. If the guillotine fails you still have top position similar to a sprawl. You can work to the back or do whatever. If after the snap-down they pull their head away before you can lock in the guillotine you can duck down and do a double-leg. Not a real double-leg, but its a similar position to hitting a double from a scramble, which is good practice.
B. Do a knee-tap. Get head control, for example with your right arm. Use your left to touch the outside of their right leg. Push with your right arm and turn left, while blocking their right leg with your left hand. They can't move their leg away very well so usually they fall over. Be careful of the armbar from this though. I use it all the time and have only been armbarred less than 10% of the time. The rest of the time the guy just falls over. Unlike with the armdrag however, you will never end up on their back, and rarely in side control. Most likely you'll end up in their open guard or half-guard.
C. Charge forward - with a collar-tie/head control, keep your elbow close to your side and put your forehead under their jaw bone on the opposite side of their face from where your collar-tie is. For example, you use your right arm for the tie, put your forehead under their right-side jaw (their right, your left). Use your left hand to grab his right-leg. You will be at an angle to your opponent, so you can charge straight forward and drive him back at an angle. Pull down with your right arm and lift up with your left. If you can you could also reach right behind him and hook both of his legs with your left arm. Scoop his legs as you drive forward at an angle. He'll likely end up on his left side and you'll be on top. Sometimes guys will turtle when you hook both of their legs. This is fine, you're still on top.
Alternatively, you can just butt-scoot around and get better at open-guard sweeps.