The World Wiffle® Ball Championship Hall of Fame
Loosely patterned after a sandlot league played in the 1970s at Mishawaka, Indiana’s Strike’s Field, the World Wiffle® Ball Championship was formally organized in 1980 at Mishawaka’s (Bethel) College Park. The following people have been acknowledged, chronologically, for their outstanding efforts as players and/or for their contributions to World Wiffle® Ball Championship tournaments:
1. Jim Bottorff (Chicago, Ill.)
In 1980, founded the game and the tournament; devised its rules and dimensions. Organized Mishawaka, Indianapolis, Seymour, Ind., Skokie, Ill., and Eugene, Oregon tournaments. Power hitter in his early career. World Champion 1980, 1982, 1983. Member of the World Wiffle® Ball Commission. Tournament Director 1980-83, 1985-94, 2000-2004. 2013-17. Charter member inducted in 1990.
2. Larry Grau (Manhattan Beach, Calif.)
Co-founded the tournament in 1980. Power hitter and hell-for-plastic defender. World Champion 1982, 1983, 1984. Member of the World Wiffle® Ball Commission. Tournament Director in 1984. Like the NBA’s Jerry West, Grau’s silhouette serves as the game’s old logo. Charter member inducted in 1990.
3. Steve ‘OB’ Obren (Mishawaka, Ind.)
Wiffle® Ball pioneer in the 1970s. Great clutch home run hitter and crafty pitcher for three decades. 1980 World Champion. Charter member inducted in 1990.
4. Scott Ermeti (Redondo Beach, Calif.)
Barefoot aerialist outfielder was a singles hitter in early career, home run hitter in later career. World Champion 1981 and 1986. Member of the World Wiffle® Ball Commission. Organized Baltimore and Barcelona, Spain tournaments. Charter member inducted in 1990.
5. Mark ‘Gator’ Waumans (Carlsbad, Calif.)
The all-time mythical home run champion. Organized regional tournaments in Baltimore and Southern California. Put the tournament on the World Wide Web in 1995 and served as its webmaster. World Champion 1981 and 1986. Member of the World Wiffle® Ball Commission. Tournament Director 1996-1999. Charter member inducted in 1990.
6. Jim Wiesjahn (Mishawaka, Ind.)
Great power hitter, pitcher. World Champion 1982, 1983, 1984. Charter member inducted in 1990.
7. Dave Steinhilber (Midland, Mich.)
Played every position well and as legend has it “he never made an out.” Home run great. World Champion 1982 and 1983. Player of the ‘80s. Charter member inducted in 1990.
8. Perry Baert (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Feared slap-hitter. World Champion 1982 and 1986. Member of the World Wiffle® Ball Commission. Tournament Director in 1995. Charter member inducted in 1990.
9. Mike Schuster (South Bend, Ind.)
Excellent hitter, pitcher, consistent power. World Champion 1985, 2007, 20011, 2013, 2014. Inducted in 1990.
10. Keith Hadary (South Bend, Ind.)
The defensive master. Charter member inducted in 1990.
11. Dave Reed (South Bend, Ind.)
Most potent power hitter of his era. Excellent defender. World Champion 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1993. Co-Player of the ‘90s. Charter member inducted in 1990.
12. Dan Reed (Orlando, Fla.)
Great home run and singles hitter. World Champion 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1993. Charter member inducted in 1990.
13. Christopher ‘Skip’ Wright (South Bend, Ind.)
Feared power hitter and pitcher. World Champion 1992, 1998, and 2001. Inducted in 1991.
14. Scott Shroyer (South Bend, Ind.)
Tough defensive pitcher and home run hitter. World Champion 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1993. Inducted in 1992.
15. Tony Swihart (Mishawaka, Ind.)
Inspirational boy leader of the 1981 World Champions. Inducted posthumously, 1994.
16. Andy Schoettle (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Flawless left fielder and clutch home run hitter. World Champion 1994. Inducted in 1998.
17. Jason Zolman (South Bend, Ind.)
Relentless pitcher/defender and dangerous home run hitter. World Champion 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2003, and 2005. Co-Player of the ‘90s. Inducted in 1998.
18. Terry Snyder (Granger, Ind.)
Tenacious right-fielder, clutch power hitter. World Champion 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, and 2002. Inducted in 1999.
19. Kerry Snyder (Granger, Ind.)
Tough left-fielder and stellar home run hitter. World Champion 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, and 2002. Inducted in 1999.
20. Mike Weber (Bristol, Ind.)
Flawless defender and wicked batsman known for his quiet leadership. World Champion 1992, 1998, and 2001. Inducted in 1999.
21. Ken Humphrey (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Player-manager known for versatile bat and great fielding. World Champion 1992, 1998, 2001. Inducted in 2002.
22. Rich Carrasco (Mishawaka, Ind.)
Began playing in 1981 as a child. Home run hitter late in his career. Tournament director from 2005 to 2012, he led the tournament back to prominence after it slimmed down to a 16-team invitational in 2003 and 2004. With the quirk left in and 55 teams playing again by 2011, he handed the tournament back to its founders. Member of the World Wiffle® Ball Commission. Inducted in 2003.
23. Ben Downey (South Bend, Ind.)
Power hitter and stellar fielder. World Champion 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2003 and 2005. Inducted in 2004.
24. John Arndt (New Carlisle, Ind.)
Flawless leftfielder and power hitter for nearly two decades. Captain of the 2000 World Champions. Inducted in 2008.
25. Mark Obren (Mishawaka, Ind.)
The oldest of the four Wiffle® Ball playing Obren brothers, helped pioneer the game now played in the World Wiffle® Ball Championship. In the 1970s, the brothers devised both rules and field dimensions that were the forerunner of today’s game. A pretournament era player, known for his aggressive base running and power stick. Inducted in 2009.
26. Tim Obren (Granger, Ind.)
Helped pioneer the game now played in the World Wiffle® Ball Championship. In the 1970s, he and three of his brothers devised both rules and field dimensions that were the forerunner of today’s game. Played in three World tournaments in the 1980s, leading his team to the final four in 1988. Was known as a lights-out pitcher and dangerous longballer. Inducted in 2009.
27. Tom Obren (Mishawaka, Ind.)
Helped pioneer the game now played in the World Wiffle® Ball Championship. In the 1970s, he and three of his brothers devised both rules and field dimensions that were the forerunner of today’s game. Played in four World tournaments in the 1980s. Known as a fearless outfielder and often challenged Hall-of-Fame brother Steve for pre-tournament era annual home run titles. Inducted in 2009.
28. Chris Montgomery (Indianapolis, Ind.)
This late bloomer began his career in his 30s in 1988, his squad defeating the best team of the era, Dud’s Gang, in their very first game. A dominant player for nearly 30 years, this ageless wonder continues to fly under the radar into his 50s, still hitting home runs like he is 17. Inducted in 2009.
29. Nathan Barcus (Mishawaka, Ind.)
A complete Wiffle® Baller for more than a decade, this stellar outfielder and hitter almost single-handedly led his team to a World Final in 2000. He then prowled the outfield for the seven-time champion Blue Ribbon Builders through 2010. World Champion in 2005. Inducted in 2009.
30. Mike Baniak (Chicago, Ill.)
This tremendous leftfielder is also known for his clutch power hitting. World Champion 2004, 2006, 2009, and 2012. Member of the World Wiffle® Ball Commission. Inducted in 2009.
31. Nate Hansen (Crown Point, Ind.)
Making his debut in 1992, his team of 10-year-olds lost all four games their first year. The leader of one of the game’s power clubs, he dominates on the mound and in the batter’s box. Player of the Decade 2000-09. World Champion 2004, 2006, 2009, and 2012. Member of the World Wiffle® Ball Commission. Inducted in 2009.
32. John Premetz (Warsaw, Ind.)
A home run machine and defensive whiz. World Champion 2004, 2006, 2009, and 2012. Member of the World Wiffle® Ball Commission. Inducted in 2013.
33. Dan Schuster (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Has dominated right-field, perhaps more than any player in the history of the game. He also can be counted on for timely hits or a string of home runs. National Champion 2011 and 2012. World Champion 2007, 2011, 2013 and 2014. Inducted in 2013.
34. Randy Schuster (Mishawaka, Ind.)
Redefined the role of the left-fielder, having turned “leaping over the fence to rob home runs” into an art form, and leading the most suffocating defense in the game. A home run threat every trip to the plate. National Champ 2011 and 2012. World Champ 2007, 2011, 2013 and 2014. Inducted in 2013. Named Co-Player of the 2010s.
35. Joe Stratton (Bloomington, Ind.)
A dominant force in left field, he wields a dangerous bat. National Champion 2009 and 2010. World Champion 2008 and 2010. Inducted in 2013.
36. Chad Miller (Granger, Ind.)
Tournament director from 2005 to 2012, he led the tournament back to prominence after it slimmed down to a 16-team invitational in 2003 and 2004. Inducted in 2013.
37. Eric Wodrich (Mishawaka, Ind.)
This big hitting pitcher won World Championships in 2008 and 2010. Inducted in 2015.
38. Joel Cyrier (Mishawaka, Ind.)
This home run hitting, star defensive pitcher won world championships 2007, 2011, 2013 and 2014. Inducted in 2015.
39. Glenn Duddleson (South Bend, Ind.)
The home run hitting captain and catcher of one of the two greatest teams of all-time, the team bearing his name, Dud’s Gang, won championships in six out of the eight years that he played. World Champion 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1993. Inducted in 2016.
40. Scott Soos (South Bend, Ind.)
Star left-fielder and notorious home run threat, the captain of the Cult West Warriors has won five consecutive championships from 2016-2020. Inducted in 2019. Named Co-Player of the 2010s.
41. Jay Ryans (South Bend, Ind.)
Owner of the most feared knuckleball in tournament history also has a clutch left-handed bat. World Champion in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020. Inducted in 2021.
42. Andy Sieradzki (South Bend, Ind.)
One of the best power hitters of the 2010s and a steady left-fielder. World Champion in 2015. Inducted in 2021.
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