Lightning Strikes!

CROWN POINT, IND. (August 17, 2025)

In likely the most dramatic moment in the 46 years of the World Wiffle® Ball Championship, wiffle veteran over 25 years, Grant Duncan, hit a walk-off for the ages to lead the Lombard Lightning to their first World Championship, 11-10 over the New Carlisle Newts, the 2021 and 2022 WWBC champions.

Lombard has been a World Wiffle® Ball Championship stalwart for over 25 years, as the team started like many teams have over the years, with a father and his sons. At their first tournament, Brian and Jimmy Tumpane were not old enough to drive a car, with Jimmy getting his first WWBC action at the age of 10.

Both Tumpanes looked like teenagers again Sunday, throwing their bodies around to play exceptional defense, with Jimmy Tumpane pitching all 38 innings for the Lightning.

Duncan, another player that has been part of the tournament for over 25 years and has popularized the tradition of handing out a shot of Malort when a player strikes out, made multiple Final Fours in the 2000s with Deuces Wild. He joined Lombard in 2014 after becoming friends with the Tumpanes over a decade of wiffle camaraderie.

In the championship game, Lombard jumped out to a huge lead after a 9-run second inning. The Newts, who have now made 9 of the last 11 WWBC Final Fours, began to chip away at the lead, as Lombard failed to score in the following three innings after a Newt pitching change to Aidan Cotter in the third. The Newts tied the game entering the sixth inning, but were unable to put across any runs in the top half.

Lombard did not waste any time in the bottom half of the sixth, as Duncan cleared the right-center fence for his fourth homer of the game. After rounding the bases with a roaring party deck in the distance, he was met at home plate with showers of water, beer and jello shots, and an embrace with Jimmy Tumpane.

The route to the title game for Lombard was as stressful as you can get, with two extra-inning wins in their first two games, including an 11-inning win over 4-time World Champion, Funky Plastic Offspring. The Lightning continued their stingy defense in a 1-0 win over the upstart 4 Horsemen +1 in the Elite Eight.

2023 World Champion with Clutch Players, Brandon Terry, played a huge role in the Lightning’s magical run by contributing several key hits throughout the day Sunday, including a leadoff homer in the Final Four victory over SLJJJ, and stellar defense in left field. Terry became the fifth player in the 46 years of the WWBC to win a title with two different teams.

Lombard achieved several firsts in their title run, as they are the first team from Illinois to win a World Championship. As the 19-seed entering Sunday, they also became the lowest seed to win it all.

NOTES

Thanks to the 47 teams that competed, shirt sales (we sold out at the park!), and the HR Derby participants, $1,800 will be donated to the South Suburban Humane Society from the 46th WWBC. Wifflers have raised over $18,000 since 2018 to help the great work SSHS does for animals.

Of the teams that participated in the 46th World Wiffle® Ball Championship, only three teams had played in tournaments before the Lombard Lightning first made the trek to Mishawaka, the previous home of the WWBC (Monon Yankers, YTS and Club Ripped).

On Saturday morning, Garrett Curless of the New Carlisle Newts was inducted as the 46th member of the World Wiffle® Ball Hall of Fame. Curless entered the HOF in his first year of eligibility (10+ WWBCs played).

On Saturday afternoon, Ethan Bumgardner of the Maple City Magic won his third consecutive Home Run Derby. Bumgardner and Brett Mason (New Carlisle Newts) both hit 16 home runs in the finals, with Bumgardner winning a swing-off to remain the Plastic King of Swing. Ethan graciously donated his half of the HR Derby pot to the South Suburban Humane Society.