Declaration of Independence Public Reading Ceremony

July 8, 2026, 2:00pm

Greene County Historic Courthouse Rotunda, 940 Boonville Ave

With special guests, former Governor Jay Nixon and Georgeanne Nixon and former United States Attorney General John Ashcroft.

We’ve asked our reader, former Governor Jay Nixon - descendant of Colonel John Nixon, to share thoughts related to restoring civility and civics in modern society. We have invited statewide office holders, our federal and state legislative delegations and judges of the Supreme Court of Missouri, Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District, and 31st Judicial Circuit. 

It would mean a great deal to us to have you and any guests with us. Feel free to share this invitation with friends, neighbors and fellow citizens.

Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social to follow.

The SMBA Home Run Derby is dedicated to the memory of the Honorable Regi Martin (1959–2023). Whip smart, super athlete, fun, fabulous, family court commissioner. Gone way, way too soon.

June 23, 2026 – Little Free Library Field, Mothers Brewery Backyard

The Derby was originally slated for the west field, home turf for all 31 games of the 2026 season. Advantages of the west field: no parking-lot or pedestrian distractions, fewer obstacles, and no Little Free Library patrons getting beaned mid-game. Disadvantages: home runs sail onto private property, never to be seen again — and we're down to our last few balls. Oral argument was heard, considered, and granted in favor of relocating the Derby. Motion to move carried. Field rotated 180 degrees, equipment lugged 50 feet. Justice was served.

Rules: Each batter gets 10 outs — anything that doesn't clear the fence is an out. Swing big or go home.

Round One – Ten hitters face off to whittle the field down to four finalists, via a process that is good-natured, mildly confusing, and as efficient as a continuance.

Tonight's Lineup

Scott Skocy — Gideon's Soldiers

Joseph Reid — McGlovens

Cameron Beaver — DOJ Turkeys

Doug Reynolds — Benchwarmers

Alec Martinez — Benchwarmers

Andy Hosmer — Appealables

Josh Christensen — Appealables

Ben Stringer — Usual Suspects

Kenzie Hatman — Benchwarmers

Alden Smith — Benchwarmers

Round One Matchups:

Skocy v Reid, Beaver v Reynolds, Martinez v Hosmer, Christensen v Stringer, Hatman v Smith

Skocy v Reid.

Skocy steps up to "Party Hard" — thanks for the perspective check. Reid counters with "Enter Sandman," which feels about right. Sleepy start all around; first matchup ends scoreless, 0–0.

Beaver v Reynolds.

The season's top two sluggers go bat-to-bat. Beaver steps in to "Whoomp! There It Is," and — there it is — gone on the first pitch. Five more leave the yard before he's done. Reynolds walks up to a fittingly named "Thunderstruck," looking a little stunned and disoriented after pitching and playing three straight games tonight. He musters one. Beaver advances.

Martinez v Hosmer.

2026 reigning derby champ Alec Martinez steps in to "Your Love," and he is clearly feeling it, sending balls deep despite having pitched and played all evening — four home runs. Hosmer walks up to "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" after letting the Wiffle Ball Commissioner pick his song. Risky call. Equally risky: Hosmer has perfected the art of sending balls just shy of home run territory. He finally connects with one that clips the top of the chain link and tips over for his lone homer. Martinez advances.

Christensen v Stringer.

This one doesn't generate much heat, but the soundtrack delivers. Christensen steps up to "Tubthumping" ("I get knocked down, but I get up again"), and Stringer follows with "Titi Me Pregunto." Vibes: immaculate. Stringer advances with one home run.

Hatman v Smith.

First Derby appearance on the historic field for both. Scoreless, 0–0. Strong appreciation noted for the late addition of hip-hop and gangsta rap to the playlist (exhibit attached below).

And that raps — and wraps — Round One. Beaver, Martinez, and Stringer advance. Which leaves us one batter short. The math doesn't add up, but neither does most of this Derby.

Round One and a Half — Hit-off:

Hosmer v Reynolds

Reynolds steps up and requests a ruling from the Commissioner/Reporter/DJ: "Crank the tunes" — translation, don't cut the music mid-at-bat. Granted. We are so Thunderstruck we lose count of his home runs.  However, we are lawyers and therefore logical, and infer that he hit zero to one, because Hosmer, with two, advances. Good season, Reynolds — we salute your batting, fielding, and passion. Case closed.

As we head into Round Two, quick shoutout to our volunteer ball retriever, Ty Harden, spotted peering over the brick fence as daylight fades. Appreciate your service — and your ability to field foul balls with a beer in hand. Multitasking at its most enjoyable.

Round Two match-ups:

Beaver v Hosmer, Martinez v Stringer

Beaver v Hosmer.

Beaver efficiently launches five more into the record books. Hosmer counters with three, including another signature fence-skimmer. Beaver advances.

Martinez v Stringer.

Martinez burns through his first five pitches before a relief pitcher steps in. Stringer gallantly takes the mound for the opposition – and goes down with integrity intact - five to one. Martinez advances.

Final Round:

Beaver v Martinez

Showdown of the titans. Turkeys' team captain Cameron Beaver — the season's home run leader — versus Benchwarmers' captain Alec Martinez, the defending champ.

Beaver steps up. Brief delay — Ty appears to have gone home. Balls gathered from field. Ty spotted.  He is still on the other side of the cinder block wall, it’s just getting hard to see him as the field goes properly dark. Play resumes, and Beaver does not disappoint: three more sail well over the block wall.

Martinez steps in. First pitch goes into orbit. A few outs, then another homer, then another. We have a tie atop the leaderboard. Two pitches left.  No matter what, this one just got exciting! Next pitch: strike. One more chance. You can hear a pin drop. Everybody's holding their breath. Can he do it? YES — UP, UP AND OVER THE CHAIN LINK. WALK-OFF HOME RUN DERBY CHAMPIONSHIP. Martinez retains the title. All rise – with elation! What a way to end the season!

Final Derby Standings

Alec Martinez

Cameron Beaver

Ben Stringer

Andy Hosmer

Your 2026 Home Run Derby Playlist — Relive the Glory

"Your Love" – The Outfield (Alec Martinez)

"Whoomp! There It Is" – Tag Team (Cameron Beaver)

"Titi Me Pregunto" – Bad Bunny (Ben Stringer)

"Party Hard" – Andrew W.K. (Scott Skocy)

"Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" (Judge Hosmer)

"Thunderstruck" – AC/DC (Doug Reynolds)

"Tubthumping" – Chumbawamba (Judge Christensen)

"Enter Sandman" – Metallica (Joseph Reid)

"The Real Slim Shady" – Eminem (Alden Smith)

"Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang" – Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg (Kenzie Hatman)

Gather round for the final night of 2026 SMBA Wiffle Ball.  We started the season with 16 teams and 151 players.  Twenty-eight games later we are down to the final three teams: the formidable fast-pitching, home run hitting, public defending Gideon's Soldiers; zero to hero team of the league, Spencer Fane's Benchwarmers; and 2024 Champs, Kutak Rock's McGlovens. It is going to be an exciting night of wiffle ball punctuated with the musical stylings of Judge Matt Hamner, serenading with a set on the patio at Mother’s Brewery.

GAME 29: BENCHWARMERS v. GIDEON'S SOLDIERS (Spencer Fane v. Public Defenders)

Two teams that have clawed their way up from the bottom of the league to battle it out to see who will play for the title tonight.

Benchwarmers: Doug Reynolds, Alden Smith, Alec Martinez, McKenzie Hatman, Jacob Sappington

Gideon's Soldiers: Scott Skocy, Sam Reed, Daniel Newell, Cory Guinn, Luke Dainty, Blake Burchard, Nathan Beaver

Top of the First

Soldiers at bat, Benchwarmers in the field, Martinez pitching.  Skocy first up - deflects off the sawhorse, those are tough to predict and catch.  But Sappington - fresh off the road from a depo in KC has energy to expend.  He scoops up the out. Reed flies out to right field.

Bottom of the First

Dainty pitching for Gideon's Soldiers. Reynolds at bat - ducks to avoid a pitch heading straight for his noggin.  Slightly dazed, he lines out to Newell. Smith up next with what has come to be known as one of his signature singles.  Picture this - he doesn’t really hit the ball and he doesn’t really bunt the ball. He somehow bats in a mysterious way causing the ball to dead drop within two feet of home plate. Effective?  Yes. Anticlimactical? Also Yes.

Soldiers 0, Benchwarmers 0

Top of the Second

Dainty singles. Burchard propels one to center, Reynolds sprints for the catch/ out. Beaver out, Skocy out.   

Bottom of the Second

Sappington triples. Reynolds hit by pitch to the ribcage. Clearly didn’t knock any wind out of him as he could be heard complaining as he took his base.  Smith – with another signature single. Exhilaration of loaded bases quickly crushed by three quick outs.

Soldiers 0, Benchwarmers 0

Top of the Third

Reed line drive caught out by Reynolds while Judge Hamner belts out “every rose has it’s thorn.”  Indeed.  Newell singles. Guinn caught out by Sappington. Dainty fires one  clean through the sawhorse - Reynolds tracks it down for the out.

Bottom of the Third

Three up, three down

Soldiers 0, Benchwarmers 0

Top of the Fourth

Burchard is out while Judge Hamner sings “that’s all right “cause we’re looking as cool as can be.”  Beaver explodes one into the densest part of the fence-clutching overgrowth. Hatman responds with an heroic catch as the ball descends through questionable vegetation.  Skocy singles, hit by pitch. Reed out.

Bottom of the Fourth

Martinez up and out while Judge Hamer pipes “Stop, children, what’s that sound, everybody look what’s going down.”  Sappington cannons a power shot – Skocy steps into the line of fire for the out.  Reynolds next and he slam a HOME RUN! Even more magnificent as it turns out fo be the only run of the entire game! (spoiler) Smith next with his signature single, but this time Dainty is prepared, sprinting for home to catch for the out.  

Soldiers 0, Benchwarmers 1.

Top of the Fifth

Fighters to the end, the soldiers go down swinging.  They leave the field as Judge Hamner belts out “Now I’m free, Free Fallin.”  Gideon’s Soldiers are indeed free.  They end the season in third place and go out with great attitudes and the best sign wielding cheering section in the league. Great run, soldiers - the defense rests – well earned.

Final Score:

Gideon’s Soldiers 0, Benchwarmers 1.

GAME 30: MCGLOVENS v. BENCHWARMERS (Kutak Rock v. Spencer Fane)

McGlovens: Joseph Reid, Colin Elliott, Trace Johnson

Benchwarmers: Doug Reynolds, Alden Smith, Alec Martinez, McKenzie Hatman, Jacob Sappington

Top of the First

Benchwarmers at bat, McGlovens in the field. Reid pitching. Three up three out.

Bottom of the First

Martinez pitching.  Reid fires one straight and center, Martinez extinguishes for the out. Bats have been sleepy all evening but suddenly wake up. Elliott triples. Johnson triples into the trees for an RBI – shout out to Sappington, who went for it with a full body sliding catch attempt. Intrepid.  Elliott walks. Johnson hits one to the center and is rewarded with a double, RBI and total chaos in the outfield. Reid triples, two RBI. Inning ends with some tallies on the board.

Benchwarmers 0, McGlovens 4

Top of the Second

Sappington triples. Reynolds steps to the plate and does it again! HOME RUN! 2 RBI.  Smith strikes out and strikes the backdrop. Reprimanded. Apology. Accepted. Hatman hits one a few feet from home. Reid nearly takes her out while racing in for the catch. She's uninjured and out.

Bottom of the Second

Strike out, catch out, bean ball, catch out.

Benchwarmers 2, McGlovens 4

Top of the Third

Sappington triples. Reynolds HBP. Smith hits to mid field, Reid catches him out. Hatman doubles, RBI. Unscheduled oral argument ensues.  Ruling upheld.

Bottom of the Third

On cue, as Judge Hamner crescendos “Rocketmaaannn…” Reid rockets one to left field where Sappington shuts it down. Out.  Extra points for drama all around. Martinez shuts down the inning pitching breaking balls that barely nick the backdrop on their decent. Respect.

Benchwarmers 3, McGlovens 4

Top of the Fourth

Sappington HBP. Reynolds steps to the plate and nonchalantly brings him home with ANOTHER HOME RUN! This one goes to the deepest part of the field. Two RBI. Smith is caught out. Summer Associate Hatman steps up and CRUSHES A HOME RUN!  Put that on your resume, girlfriend! Sappington slams one to left field, Elliott slides for the catch and the out. Benchwarmers take the field with the lead, chalking three runs this half inning. 

Bottom of the Fourth

Reid pops one high to Martinez on the mound. Out. Elliott is beaned again (is that two or three this game?) and takes base. Johnson hits to left, caught out by Sappington. Reid triples, RBI. Elliott walks. Johnson lobs one - Reynolds intercepts for the out and inning.

Benchwarmers 6, McGlovens 5

Top of the Fifth

Heading into the final inning with a one-point lead, the Benchwarmers are heating up.

Sappington triples into the grove of trees in left field. Reynolds takes a hit, refuses the base, and gambles for extra bags - and it pays off! HOME RUN, 2RBI!  Next up, Smith. Will he go for one of his signature mini hits? The crowd waits... the crowd watches…. and it's a HOME RUN. Wow. That was unexpected! Not entirely clear if this one went over the fence, but if not, it lodged deep enough into the overgrowth that no one is willing to certify.  Hatman hits to left field, Elliott catches her out.  Martinez is caught out. Sappington, again, triples into the forest.  Reynolds takes a hit to the knee, stays at bat - and turns pain into profit with a triple, RBI.  Smith steps back up after his earlier homer.  Was it a fluke? Are we gonna see another anticlimactical single?   And he delivers his rebuttal!  Smith clears the chain link fence with a boundary defying HOME RUN! 2 RBI. Spectators on both sides of the field got their money’s worth on that one. In case you lost count, Benchwarmers add six runs in this half inning.

Bottom of the Fifth

Reid triples. Elliott triples, RBI. Johnson caught out by Sappington. Reid flies out high to Sappington. Etc. Etc.  Game ends with Benchwarmers 12, McGlovens 6.  But wait, 2026 SMBA Wiffleball ain’t over yet!!!

The McGlovens have only lost one game – and this is “true double elimination."  Whatever that means. After a flurry of activity consensus is reached.  One more game between McGlovens and Benchwarmers will determine the 2026 Champs.

GAME 31: DÉJÀ VU CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - MCGLOVENS v. BENCHWARMERS

McGlovens: Joseph Reid, Colin Elliott, Trace Johnson

Benchwarmers: Doug Reynolds, Alden Smith, Alec Martinez, McKenzie Hatman, Jacob Sappington

Top of the First

McGlovens at bat, Benchwarmers in the field. Martinez pitching. Reid opens with a HOME RUN over the privacy fence.  Elliott triples. Johnson singles. Reid hits to Sappington for the out. Elliott hits to Martinez for the out. Johnson smacks one to triple territory in right field. Reynolds makes a valiant catch attempt but can't bring it in. Reid walks. Elliott triples into the shrubs. Johnson is out. Reid is out.  Nice momentum to start this final, final game of the season.

Bottom of the First

Reynolds up first and answers with a HOME RUN!  Smith singles. Hatman is out. Martinez is out.

McGlovens 5, Benchwarmers 1

Top of the Second

Martinez pitching. Three up, three down — the defense finds its footing.

Bottom of the Second

Sappington is out. Reynolds hits to Johnson and is out. Hatman's ball glances off the sawhorse and she's out.

Top of the Third

Johnson hits to mid-field, and Reynolds dives shoulder-first for the out.  Reid doubles off a double-bobble catch attempt. Up next, Elliott hits a HOME RUN, TWO RBI! Johnson is out to Reynolds. Reid hits - Sappington dives for the out.

Bottom of the Third

Reid pitching. Three up, three down.

McGlovens stretch their lead to 7, Benchwarmers 1

Fourth inning

Ups and outs and no change in the score

Top of the Fifth

Final at bat for the McGlovens, three catch outs by Sappington - still running on that post-depo adrenaline. 

Bottom of the Fifth

Sappington triples. Reynolds and Smith each hit by a pitch and the bases loaded. Hatman is out. Up next, Martinez, who SLAMS one to deep, deep left field — looks like a sure home run to everyone watching... everyone except Elliott, who runs it down and catches it for the out. Wow. Sappington is hit by a pitch. Reynolds is out and that's the ballgame and the season.

McGlovens 7, Benchwarmers 1

Ladies and Gentlemen your 2026 SMBA Wiffle Ball Champions - Kutak Rock's McGlovens! Our first two-time champs in the league.

Shout out to our Cinderella Story second place finishers, Spencer Fane's Benchwarmers, who had a 100% loss rate in the previous three seasons but kept coming back and in 2026 won five of seven games.

Stick around because we are finishing the night with the 2026 Regi Martin Memorial Home Run Derby!

Effective immediately, the office of Baird Lawyers is at 1200 E. Woodhurst Drive, Suite T-200, Springfield Missouri, 65804.  The firm welcomes referrals in family law, business law and personal injury.

Night Seven of the 2026 Season | Games 25-28

Six teams take the field in the penultimate night of SMBA Wiffle Ball 2026.  Three survive and three rest their case for the season. Along the way, giants will be toppled. Perhaps because three stellar players and team captains are missing.  Conspiracy? No. Improperly noticed vacations? Yes. Solution:  Any and all future PTO requests must clear wiffle ball season!

GAME 25: LET FREEDOM SWING V. GIDEON'S SOLDIERS

(Twibell Pierson v. Public Defenders)

Two teams on the same side of the courtroom find themselves on opposite sides of the diamond tonight. Let Freedom Swing (hereinafter “LFS”) takes the field with only three players, including Preppy Pierson, who sprints in straight from the courthouse in khaki pants and shoes with absolutely zero traction. Look for this one to include some surprises, grass stains and equipment casualties.

Let Freedom Swing: Scott Pierson, Bryan Delleville, Tarek Masri

Gideon's Soldiers: Scott Skocy, Sam Reed, Daniel Newell, Luke Dainty, Blake Burchard, Nathan Beaver, Cory Guinn

First inning

Newell walks for the Soldiers and Dainty rips a triple to drive him in. LFS answers right back — Masri sends one clean OVER the chain link fence for a HOME RUN. Soldiers 1, LFS 1.

Second inning

Delleville takes the mound and retires the Soldiers three up, three down. Then Delleville steps to the plate and lofts a beauty that hangs in the sky just long enough for Skocy to track it down on the way back to earth. Out.

Third inning:

Dainty and Burchard both walk, and Beaver rips one past Pierson for a triple, plating two. LFS up, Delleville makes contact and Newell responds for the out. Soldiers 3, LFS 1.

Fourth inning:

Dainty and Burchard walk again. Guinn pops one up to Pierson for the out. LFS roars back: Pierson blasts a HOME RUN! Who needs traction when you have style.  Delleville follows with an emphatic double that collapses the sawhorse on impact.  The score edges closer as we enter the final inning. Soldiers 3, LFS 2

Fifth inning:

Soldiers at bat - three up, three down. Pressure is on – LFS needs one to stay in it and two to walk off.  Delleville at bat.  AND HE DELIVERS.  Delleville joins the home run club with a detonation that ties the game. WE ARE HEADED TO EXTRA INNINGS. Soldiers 3, LFS 3.

Sixth inning:

Burchard doubles and Guinn sends one into triple territory in left — Pierson dives for it, sacrificing his shoulder and his oxford cloth shirt, but the ball wins. RBI for Guinn. Dainty takes the mound and keeps deploying his trademark wiffle fastball (seriously, how does he do that?) for a clean three up, three down to close it out. Reigning champs, LFS are out for the season but we will see them next year with new recruits.

Final Score: Gideon's Soldiers 4, Let Freedom Swing 3

GAME 26: DOJ TURKEYS V. USUAL SUSPECTS

(Department of Justice v. Criminal Defense Pals)

DOJ Turkeys: Hannah Lucas, Kaylee Comer, Casey Clark, Stephanie Wan

Usual Suspects: Matt Russell, Adam Woody, Ben Stringer, Sara Meier, Elizabeth Killion, Ty Harden, Stuart Huffman

Acting Team Captain Lucas wins the coin toss like a boss and takes her Turkeys to the field.

Top of the first:

Clark pitching. Russell lines one to left where Clark intercepts for the out. Stringer nonchantly steps to the plate then JOINS THE HOME RUN CLUB on the first pitch he sees. Game paused briefly for newly appointed SMBA Wiffle Ball Mascot, Cooper the Labradoodle, who casually wanders onto the field and just as casually wanders back off.

Bottom of the first:

Huffman pitching. Lucas triples, Comer doubles. Clark's hit is intercepted by Woody for a magical catch and out. Wan takes one off the hip and a free base. Bases loaded. Comer doubles again, two RBI. Clark steps up and hits a HOME RUN for three more RBI. Lucas hits to Woody and is out, but the Turkeys have built themselves a tidy lead. Usual Suspects 1, Turkeys 6.

Top of the second:

Meier's hit is scooped backhanded by Clark for the out. Killion, Huffman, and Russell all walk to load the bases. Woody lines one past Clark to Lucas and is out. Stringer walks, forcing in a run. Meier is out.

Bottom of the second:

Comer hits to Woody and is out. Clark sends a highflyer to Harden for the out. Wan is out. Usual Suspects 2, DOJ Turkeys 6.

Top of the third:

Killion walks. Harden gets hit by pitch and takes the base. Huffman and Russell are both out. Woody and Stringer walk, with Stringer's walk forcing in a run. Meier is out, but the Usual Suspects post another run on the board.

Bottom of the third:

Clark triples and Lucas hits to Killion for the out. Comer is out. Clark then powers one deep into the tree in left field, where Woody — in a maneuver best described as awkward but undeniably effective — crouches, flops underneath the tree with his back to the field, and catches it clean on the bounce. Out. Usual Suspects 3, DOJ Turkeys 6.

Top of the fourth:

Comer takes the mound. Killion hits to Wan and is out. Harden reaches on a hit-by-pitch, Huffman and Russell both walk to load the bases. Woody hits to Clark for the out, and Stringer hits to Clark.  Ditto, out.

Bottom of the fourth:

Wan takes another one off the hip and a base. Lucas hits to Huffman and is out. Comer's power hit goes to Russell for the out. Clark threads a line drive through the legs of the sawhorse but Meier is on it like a duck on a Junebug. Out.

Top of the fifth:

Killion knocks one deep to left. Clark settles under it, the ball hits his hands with such force it re-launches. He catches it again on the way down. Out. Harden and Huffman are both retired, and that's the ballgame.  Usual Suspects leave the field and the season with their best stats to date. 

Final Score: Usual Suspects 3, DOJ Turkeys 6

GAME 27: GIDEON'S SOLDIERS V. DOJ TURKEYS

(Public Defenders v. DOJ)

Game 27 pits the winners of the evening's first two games against each other for the right to advance to the finals next week. Two great teams who have performed very well this season.  It’s anyone's game — or so we thought.

Gideon's Soldiers Batting Order: Scott Skocy, Sam Reed, Daniel Newell, Luke Dainty, Blake Burchard, Nathan Beaver

DOJ Turkeys Batting Order: Hannah Lucas, Kaylee Comer, Casey Clark, Stephanie Wan

Top of the first:

Skocy and Reed walk, Guinn is hit by pitch, and the bases are loaded before anyone's even broken a sweat. Dainty steps up and fires a triple into the power pole in right field for three RBI — no electricity was lost in the making of this hit. Burchard and Newell both take HBP bases to load things up again. Skocy then cannons one to the top of the fence in right. Home run or triple? The game pauses while Clark goes hunting deep in the brush, and after a tense search, emerges holding the excavated ball triumphantly overhead. Ruling: triple, three RBI for Skocy. Reed is out, Guinn singles. Dainty comes back up and does it again — ANOTHER HOME RUN, three more RBI. Burchard and Newell reach on HBP and Skocy triples them both home for two RBI. Reed reaches on HBP and Dainty brings him home with yet another triple, two RBI. At this point everyone on the field — and this reporter — is thoroughly exhausted. Gideon's Soldiers post an eye-watering 15 runs in a single inning, and the mercy rule is invoked lest we be here all night.

Bottom of the first:

Lucas hits to Guinn and is out. Comer and Clark are also retired. Gideon's Soldiers 15, Turkeys 0.

Top of the second:

Clark pitching. Newell walks. Skocy steps up this time and crushes a no-doubt-about-it HOME RUN, WAY OVER THE CHAIN LINK FENCE. Two RBI. Reed is out. Guinn is caught out by Comer. Dainty hits ANOTHER HOME RUN for the Soldiers. Burchard pops one to Comer for the out.

Bottom of the second:

Wan is out. Lucas triples. Clark triples her home for an RBI. Comer is out. The Turkeys get on the scoreboard. Gideon's Soldiers 18, Turkeys 1.

Top of the third:

Newell walks. Skocy triples for an RBI. Reed walks. Guinn is out. Dainty hits to Clark and is out. Burchard and Newell both walk, and Reed brings them both home with a triple, two RBI. Two more runs are bagged but the details are lost to history. 

Bottom of the third:

Lucas walks and Comer triples her in. Clark lofts a highflyer to Skocy for the out. Wan walks. Lucas is out. Comer hits to Guinn and is out. The Turkeys add a second run this inning, but when the umpire and the wiffle ball commissioner confer and call the game, there are no objections and no motions to reconsider. Good run, Turkeys. This one was a bit of a slaughter but you went down swinging.

Final Score: Gideon's Soldiers 23, DOJ Turkeys 2

GAME 28: MCGLOVENS V. BENCHWARMERS

(Kutak Rock v. Spencer Fane)

A battle of big law to close out the night. The weather has mellowed and the vibe feels downright chill on this warm summer evening — but appearances may deceive, because these are the only two undefeated teams left in the entire series.

McGlovens: Joseph Reid, Taylor White, Collin Elliott

Benchwarmer:: Doug Reynolds, Alden Smith, Jacob Sappington, Kenzie Hatman,

Jason Smith

Top of the first:

Sappington pitching. Reid sets the tone immediately, slamming a hit into the privacy fence for a triple. Elliott follows and bats him in with another triple. Reid is out to J. Smith. White is out to J. Smith. McGlovens take the field with one run on the board.

Bottom of the first:

Reid pitching. Reynolds is out. A. Smith hits to Elliott and is out. Hatman is out.

McGlovens 1, Benchwarmers 0.

Top of the second:

Sappington pitching. Elliott hits to A. Smith and is out. Reid is out. White lobs a high fly to Reynolds for the out.

Bottom of the second:

Reid pitching. J. Smith is out. Sappington drives one past the first sawhorse to Elliott and is out. Reynolds is out.

Top of the third:

Sappington pitching. Elliott leads off with a MAGNIFICENT HOME RUN clean through the tree in far center field. Reid hits to A. Smith for the out in a play that's both understated and impressive in equal measure. Elliott triples to far center. Reid hurls one directly at Reynolds for the out.

Bottom of the third:

Reid pitching. A. Smith hits a single that's impossible to catch and comes to a dead stop about a foot from home plate. Summer Associate Hatman doubles. J. Smith is out. Sappington sends one to center field, where Elliot nearly collides with White going after it — White makes the catch for the out.

McGlovens 2, Benchwarmers 0.

Top of the fourth:

Sappington pitching. White powers one past Sappington, past Reynolds, and finally into the glove of A. Smith for the out. Elliott triples. Reid hits to A. Smith and is out. White reaches on a hit-by-pitch. Elliott triples again, two RBI — with props due to A. Smith for a dedicated, if unsuccessful, diving attempt. Reid fires one into the tree but is ultimately caught out.

Bottom of the fourth:

Reid pitching. A. Smith hits to Reid, caught on the bounce, out. Hatman is out. J. Smith hits to Reid and is out. The Benchwarmers seem to have warning-track power tonight, while the McGlovens quietly creep ahead with two more this inning.

McGlovens 4, Benchwarmers 0.

Top of the fifth:

Sappington pitching. White triples despite another nearly heroic intercept attempt by A. Smith — is that A. for effort? Elliott hits one to Sappington, who shows off cat-like reflexes with a jump, roll, and catch for the out. Reid and White each triple for an RBI. Elliott follows with a double. Reid hits to Reynolds and is out. White walks to load the bases with Elliott up next — and he triples, three RBI through the deep shrubs. Reid reaches on a hit and base. White follows with a HOME RUN, THREE MORE RBI. Elliott crushes one into the wood fence for a triple. Reid doubles, White doubles him home for an RBI. Elliott hits to Reynolds for the out. The gloves are officially off for the McGlovens this inning — seven runs in a single frame.

Bottom of the fifth:

Reid takes the mound and shuts the door with three quick outs to close out the inning and the game.

Final Score: McGlovens 11, Benchwarmers 0

Night Six of the 2026 Season | Games 21-24

The eight remaining teams converge.  Only six will advance.  It’s 88 degrees and sunny.  Everyone is going to suffer tonight, some more than others.

Here’s your non ai generated summary of this edition of the Wiffle Brief:

• Game 21 squares off the 2024 Champs (McGlovens) against the 2025 reigning Champs (Let Freedom Swing) for a speedy, competitive, and surprisingly affable clash of dynasties. One team won, both teams head to the semis.
  
• Game 22 Benchwarmers from Spencer Fane take on the Usual Suspects - Criminal Defense Pals. A bit of a blowout that didn’t feel embarrassing. We will see both teams in the semis.
  
• Game 23 in which the 31st Circuit Judges (Appealables) take on the Public Defenders (Gideon’s Solders) One of the tightest and tensest battle of the night – and an opportunity for the judges to experience the pleasure of being constantly overruled.
  
• Game 24 DOJ TURKEYS vs. Carnahan Evans’ Court Jesters. The night's final game is a calm and collegial affair until someone makes a federal case out of it.

Let’s dive in to the details:

GAME 21:

LET FREEDOM SWING v. McGLOVENS, Twibell Pierson v. Kutak

Let Freedom Swing Batting Order: Scott Pierson, Cole Roberts, Bryan Delleville, Jason Johnson, Tarek Masri

McGlovens Batting Order: Joseph Reid, Taylor White, Collin Elliott

Top of the first

Delleville pitching.  Reid caught out by Roberts. Elliott caught out by Roberts, leaping just shy of the outfield brush.  Reid files his response a TWO RUN HOMER up up and over the fence. McGlovens plate two in the opening frame and this court (field) is officially in session.

Bottom of the first and top of the second - both teams go three up and three down. 

Bottom of the second

Roberts serves a shot over the wood fence, HOME RUN. Delleville fires off a triple -- both White and Elliott slide for the attempt. No luck but enjoyable to watch. McGlovens 2, Let Freedom Swing 1. The low score doesn’t capture the undercurrent of electricity in this battle of the titans. 

Top of the third

McGlovens build their case. Reid with a magnificent HOME RUN that rockets past the furthest tangent on the field.  Up next, White dittos.  Same song, different singer. HOME RUN. Elliot takes a hit and base, Reid is caught out by Roberts.  White DOES IT AGAIN.  HOME RUN over the privacy fence.  McGlovens head to the field with four more runs.

Bottom of the third

Reid pitching.  Roberts walks. Dellevile pops to Reid- out. Masri out. Pierson takes a base. Roberts demonstrates his version hedge trimming  with a shrub skimming HOME RUN -knocking three runs in. Unsuccessful but commendable attempt to catch by White - shoulders deep-in vines and branches and who knows what.  Brave man. Gap closes to  McGlovens 6, Let Freedom Swing 4.

Fourth inning highlight: Pierson running down a pop that Reid sent airborne, miraculously navigating multiple obstacles for the catch. Determination.

Top of the fifth

White triples.  Elliot line drives. Pierson responds with a sprinting scooping back handed miracle of a catch for the out.

Bottom of the fifth.  Masri fires a triple that slips through Elliot's hands. Pierson, batting with his signature one handed technique, pops one into outer space, called, caught and out attributed to White.  Roberts lines one to Elliot for the out, inning and game.

FINAL SCORE: McGlovens 6, Let Freedom Swing 4

GAME 22:

BENCHWARMERS vs. USUAL SUSPECTS, Spencer Fane v. Criminal Defense Pals

Benchwarmers Batting Order: Doug Reynolds, Alden Smith, Kenzie Hatman, Alec Martinez,

Jake Sappington

Usual Suspects Batting Order: Matt Russell, Adam Woody, Stuart Huffman, Sara Meier, Ty Harden

Top of the first

Huffman pitching.  Reynolds at bat, bringing that “lets gets this party started” energy. HOME RUN over the wood fence. Hatman walks. Martinez walks. Sappington drops one through the tree.  All eyes on Russell, Harden and Woody in a potentially catastrophic convergence as the ball descends through the branches. No one collides and no one catches. This one is s triple 2 RBI. Up next, Reynolds gets hit but doesn’t take his base.    Bad choice – he bats the next one to Huffman and he’s out.

Bottom of the first

Usual Suspects file their response.  Two walks score two runs.  Then Martinez, pitching for the Benchwarmers, is forced to catch a toss while juggling multiple balls at the mound. It works.  And amuses.  After the first: Benchwarmers 2, Usual Suspects 2. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a game.

Top of the second

Huffman pitching. Hatman with solid hit to chaos in the outfield and rolling catch/ out by Woody. Martinez drives one down left field line and Woody snags another out. Sappington up next, hits to Huffman for the catch and out sending the Benchwarmer back outfield.

Bottom of the second.

Martinez pitching. Huffman takes a resonant bean ball. Harden out. Russell out. And no shame in these strike outs because Martinez is throwing crazy pitches that curve up then drop just in time to dinging the top of the backstop. Magical - unless you up to bat.

Top of the third.

Huffman pitching. Reynolds to Harden and out. Smith walks. Hartman single. Bases loaded. Martinez to Woody and out. Sappington fires a triple that pops out of Woody's grasp for three RBI. Reynolds follows by embedding one in the brush at the top of the wood fence.  This one would have been a home run in any other jurisdiction.  However, due to the persistence of Harden, it was eventually retrieved.  Not an out- but a downgrade to triple. Hatman adds a triple of her own, two more runs score, and the Benchwarmers clock four runs in the inning.

Bottom of the third

Three up three out. Benchwarmers 9, Usual Suspects 2

Fourth inning

Martinez triples into the privacy fence and Reynolds drives in another run. Benchwarmers 11, Usual Suspects 2.

Fifth inning – final game highlights

In the top Sappington threads an uncatchable triple through the tree obstacle course.  In the bottom Meier gets a solid hit, Sappington scrambles, trips -- and still makes the catch. Game over, verdict in:

FINAL SCORE: Benchwarmers 11, Usual Suspects 2

GAME 23:

APPEALABLES vs. GIDEON'S SOLDIERS,  31st Circuit Judges v. Public Defenders

Appealables: Judges Andy Hosmer, Kaiti Greenwade, Kyle Kanable, Phil Fuhrman, Kirsten Poppen, John Lukachick, Josh Christensen

Gideon's Soldiers: Scott Skocy, Sam Reed, Luke Dainty, John Peacock, Darlene Villalobos

Top of the first

Fuhrman pitching.  Three up and out

Bottom of the first

Dainty pitching. Hosmer warms up batting left-handed, then switches to right for a triple. Greenwade line drive to Skocy and out. Lukachick to Peacock and out. Fuhrman out. Game paused as toddler is enticed off the field. Not a party to this action. First is scoreless.

Top of the second

Villalobos to Hosmer who calls it and catches it.  She’s out.  Next up for the Soldiers is Skocy who SUPERPOWERS one over the chain link fence for a HOME RUN. So much for sucking up to the judges.

Bottom of the second

Dainty pitching.  Lukachick to Skocy – out.  Christensen, with his special brand of subtle excellence steps up and delivers a HOME RUN.  No commotion, no fanfare. Just very impressive. Hosmer out. Greenwade hits to Peacock who gleefully exclaims “I caught a ball.”  Congrats.  Out.

After two: 1-1.

Third and fourth innings stay deadlocked. Villalobos rips a couple of decent hits but Hosmer foils her with the catch/ outs. Kanable hits one that deflects off the ball bucket and Fuhrman spends the fourth bouncing balls off the backdrop, unusual, legal, and lethal, pitching strategy.  Score unchanged but angst accumulating in this close and competitive game.

Top of the fifth

Peacock smacks and briefly breaks the backdrop. He’s out (unrelated to assault on the equipment). Next, Dainty blazes one over the chain link. HOME RUN!  The Soldiers pull ahead by one run.  It is still anyone’s game.

Bottom of the fifth

Dainty takes the mound..  Three up, three down.  Game over, Soldiers advance to the semis.

FINAL SCORE: Gideon's Soldiers 2, Appealables 1

GAME 24:

DOJ TURKEYS vs. COURT JESTERS. Department of Justice v. Carnahan Evans

DOJ Turkeys: Hannah Lucas, Cameron Beaver, Casey Clark, Randy Eggert, Stephanie Wan

Court Jesters: Brett Hodges, Jay Preston, Clayton Campbell, Christiaan Horton

Top of the First.

Horton pitching.

Lucas to Horton and out. Beaver up next with a fantastic HOME RUN over the chain link fence. Other stuff happens.

Bottom of the first

Beaver pitching - races to retire Hodges on a line drive to right. Preston pops to Lucas for a juggling catch. Turkeys with the early edge: 1-0

Second inning is quiet -- just enough action to keep everyone watching. In the top - three up three down. In the bottom, Horton, Hodges and Campbell all out with hits to Clark.  Preston lands a nice triple into the tree but no one is on base – for the aforementioned (Clark) reasons.

Top of the third

Horton pitching.  Clark at bat- switching gears from heroic outfielder to HOME RUN HITTER. Tally another one for the Turkeys.  Eggert follows with a single.  Lucas to Horton and out. 

Top of the fourth

Beaver with a high fly to Hodges and out. Clark single, Eggert to Horton and out.  Wan single. Lucas double and RBI. Turkeys lead 3-0 but this game still feels highly competitive.  Then Beaver, who leaves for a European vacation first thing in the morning, decides to pack up this game – smashing a big HOME RUN, three RBI.  Turkeys finish this at bat with four more runs across the plate.

Bottom of the fourth

Beaver pitching.  Hodges with a triple. Preston with a double RBI off the yard sign in center field. The Jesters are finally on the scoreboard. Campbell walks. Bases loaded, Horton up and powers one straight for HR territory but Clark is waiting with a cool and confident one handed grab for the out. Turkeys 6, Jesters 1

Top of the fifth

Horton pitching.  Wan walks, Lucas takes a hit and base. Beaver takes a hit and stays at bat – risky move?  Not with Beaver.  He slaps another HOME RUN over the chain link and into private property, 3RBI.  Clark doubles, Wan takes a base, Lucas hits one to left field and Campbell – out.  Beaver takes another hit and keeps batting. Déjà vu? This time he hits a triple, 2RBI.  Clark triples in another run then Eggert triples in one more!  Wan hits one to Horton. Out.  Everyone on this roster contributes. Turkeys rest their case adding seven more runs in this inning. 

Bottom of the fifth

Beaver pitching.  Preston out. Campbell out.  Horton manages a triple past Clark.  Hodges hits to Eggert for the catch, out and game. 

FINAL SCORE: DOJ Turkeys 13, Court Jesters 1

See you June 16 for the semis!

We reached out to Prosecuting Attorney Dan Patterson for comment.  Dan said the following

Conor Browne was everything you hope a prosecutor will be: principled, tireless, and genuinely committed to justice and the people he served.

In six years, he accomplished what many take a career to build, earning the trust of his colleagues and the respect of this office through his dedication to some of our most serious and difficult cases.

He was not just an exceptional attorney; he was a valued friend and a true advocate for justice. We are devastated by his loss at only 31 years old, and we are a lesser office and a lesser community without him. His work mattered, and so did he.

Our deepest sympathy to Conor’s family, his colleagues at the prosecutor’s office and all those who were fortunate enough to know him and are suffering this loss.

Arrangements are under the care of Gorman Scharpf with details at this link. 

Night Five of the 2026 Season

Games 17–20

Finally — some seasonable weather. Warm, sunny skies with just enough wind to send a few balls sailing over the fence. The night opens with a pair of high-scoring blowouts, then shifts gears into a couple of nail-biters that save their best moments for extra innings.  Interspersed throughout there will be pelted players refusing to take a base and pelted teams refusing mercy rulings.  Tenacious teams would be one way of putting it.  Grab a seat.

Game 17 

Dragonslayers v Gideon’s Soldiers (Prosecutors v. Public Defenders)

Gideon’s Soldiers Batting Order

Blake Burchard

Benjamin Burlie

Luke Dainty

Daniel Newell

Sam Reed

Scott Skocy

Dragonslayers Batting Order

Sheri Tucker

Dan Patterson

Katelynn Frazier

Chris Lebeck

Danielle Pitera

Josh Harrel

Jake Carrow

Justin Albright

Ethan Auten

Top of the first, Dan Patterson takes the hill for the Dragonslayers. Burlie and Dainty both take hits by pitch, Newell walks then Reed plates three runners with a triple. Skocy adds a pop single. Burlie smacks one to left field, intercepted by Pitera with a rolling catch and he’s out.  Gideon's Soldiers are up 3-0.

Bottom of the first

Dainty pitching – Three up, three out.

Top of the second

Dainty with the first HOME RUN of the night and Soldiers are officially in the zone. Newell triples, Buchard doubles and Burlie triples with two-runs in. Reed tries bunting but is caught out by Patterson. Dainty rips one into the chain link so hard it still might be vibrating.  Newell slams one to left field. Caught out by Tucker.

Bottom of the second

Details are lost to history. Score: Gideon’s Soldiers 7, Dragonslayers 0

Top of the third

Patterson Pitching.  Dragonslayers discover their defense. Reed fires one to Patterson – out.  Skocy with another pop, this time to Tucker. He’s out. Buchard aims one to center.  Frazier is waiting – and he’s out.

Bottom of the third

Dainty pitching. Up first is Carrow, who is taking a study break from bar exam prep. He strikes out but does so while sending the bat airborne. Keep that energy up – only six weeks to go!   Albright follows with a solid hit – caught out by Buchard.  Tucker next up, with one of those tricky hard to catch scramble singles, intercepted by Dainty.   

Top of the fourth- in which things get a lot more lopsided. 

Gideon's Soldiers start swinging for the fences and finding them. Burlie with HIS FIRST HOMER OF THE SEASON.  Then Dainty with his SECOND HOMERUN IN THE GAME — something in the air tonight. Reed triples, Skocy triples, Buchard triples, and with bases loaded Newell drives another one in.  Was this an inning or an obliteration?   Eight runs scored

Bottom of the fourth.  Burlie called in as relief pitcher, proves worthy with three up three outs. The score is now Gideon’s Soldiers 8, Dragonslayers 0

Top of the fifth

Dainty takes a base, hit by pitch. Newell knocks one to Patterson – and out. Skocy is up and fouls way over the fence then plants the next pitch for a two-run home run. Patterson makes a diving catch to retire Reed, a defensive highlight of the night, but it barely registers in the final math. Burlie to Albright for the out.  Soldiers increase their lead by 2 runs.

Bottom of the fifth

Lest you think ANYONE, EVER gives up in SMBA Wiffle Ball. The Dragonslayers, dedicated to the end, get their only run in the final half of the final inning: Harrell singles, Carrow brings that anxious bar prep energy and triples him in, and that's the ballgame.

Four home runs for Gideon's Soldiers, 17 runs total, and a final score that loquiturs for itself.

Final Score: Gideon's Soldiers 17, Dragonslayers 1

Game 18

DOJ Turkeys v Pour but Legal (DOJ v. Legal Services)

Turkeys’ Batting Order

Hannah Lucas

Kaylee Comer

Cameron Beaver

Casey Clark

Randy Eggert

Stephanie Wan

Pour’s Batting Order

Jill Patterson

Clayton Ballard

Rina Edge

Steve Kellogg

Amanda Pearl

Top of first

Ballard pitching. Lucas hits one to left, Pearl catches and out.  Teammate Comer takes a hit by pitch. Beaver walks.  So far, understated start of the game.  Then Clark steps up and slams A THREE RUN HOMER. Eggert hits to left, Pearl catches for the out. 

Bottom of the first

Beaver pitching. Patterson at bat with one of those crafty bunts - impossible to catch. Beaver defies the odds, navigates the sawhorse obstacle and snags it.  Ballard is next up with a line drive. It jets past Beaver then jets past Clark and final to Lucas who catches for the out. Edge smacks one to Beaver and out.

Top of second

Ballard pitching.  Beaver walks.  Eggert bats him in with a triple. Other stuff happens but it isn’t very interesting.

Bottom of the second

Beaver pitching. Kellogg at bat. Kellogg is an intermittently powerful hitter – this is not reflected in any stats to date.  This time it’s a grounder to Clark – he’s out.  Pearl walks, Patterson walks. Ballard with a ground out to Beaver. Rina is Edged out.  That’s the inning.

Top of the third

First up Beaver and he ROCKETS a hit to right field WAY over the chain link fence for a HOME RUN.  Inspired, Clark and Lucas each follow with doubles.  Comer fires a hit toward the pitcher and Ballard shuts her down.  Next up – Beaver.  With two on base, can he do it again?  Field is uncharacteristically quiet with anticipation.  AND HE DOES! Beaver launches a HOME RUN up and over the forementioned boundary. Three more runs for the team.  Clark up next with a triple. Eggert follows with a grounder to Kellogg and out.

Bottom of the third

Beaver pitching. Three up, three out.  Bam, bam, bam.  That’s some five tool player action right there.  If you’ve lost track – the score is now Turkeys 8, Pour nada.

Top of the fourth

Ballard pitching. Comer takes a hit to the shoulder, keeps batting. Macho move, not always a smart move. Works out. Comer lands a triple. Beaver hits a double then Clark with one of those tricky triples through the sawhorse.  Two runs plated. Next up -  Eggert with a double. Then Comer hits one to Edge who does this fascinatingly slo mo catch attempt.  You had to be there. Safe. Triple, 2RBI for Comer with props to Edge for the drama. Next up Beaver.  All eyes on the batter and HE DOES IT AGAIN!  HOME RUN.  If you lost count that is home run number four for Beaver tonight. Two runs tallied this time.  Clark punctuates with triple then Eggert gets a line drive past Ballard but Patterson intercepts for the out.  Six. More. Runs. For the turkeys.

Bottom of fourth

Beaver pitching. Edge with a respectable pop. Clark catches for the out.  Kellogg follows with a very exciting high pop fly into the tree in left field – Teammates elated - celebration premature.  Meanwhile Clark is under the tree patiently watching the ball plinko through the branches … and he grabs it! Out. Controversy ensues.  Refer to longstanding LOCAL WIFFLE BALL RULES SECTION ENTITLED: CLEAN CATCHES OUT OF THE TREE. “Clean catches out of tree, if caught before hitting the ground are OUT.”  Nonetheless. Very exciting play. Technically difficult catch. Fully upheld ruling.

Top of fifth

Ballard pitching. Lucas with a line drive to Kellogg for the out. Comer to Ballard and out.

Beaver walks. Clark with a wind assisted hit to center which flies like a kite over the furthest point in the field for a BREATHTAKING HOME RUN.  Two more runs. Eggert and Lucas each follow with doubles.  Comer walks. Bases loaded. Beaver at bat. Smacks one hard to left, Edge shuts him down for the out.  Two more runs for the Turkeys.

Bottom of the fifth

Three up, three out. Ballgame. 

Pour but Legal finishes the night with a goose egg and the Turkeys post the second 16-plus-run game of the evening. 

Final Score: DOJ Turkeys 16, Pour but Legal 0

Game 19

BARbarians v Appealables  (Lowther Johnson v 31st Circuit Judges)

BARbarians Batting Order

Jacob Haskins

Austin Fax

Kenny Beck

Kevin Scharf

Kyle Harmon

Appealables Batting Order

Margaret Palmietto

Josh Christensen

Andy Hosmer

Kaiti Greenwade

Phil Fuhrman

John Lukachick

Kirsten Poppen

Ron Carrier

Top of the first

Fuhrman pitching for the Appealables. First up for the BARbarians - Haskins smacks one into left field triple territory where Hosmer appears to not be paying attention yet still manages the out. Next up, BARbarians Captain Beck with a triple, plating a run.  Scharf up next with a ground out to Fuhrman, then Harmon ground out to Luckachick. 

Bottom of the first

Beck pitching for the BARbarians. First up, Palmietto with a single. Next, Christensen and a double.  Will Greenwade follow the pattern with a triple?  Harmon, in left field says no (respectfully, your honor) with the catch out.  Fuhrman follows with a triple and 2 RBI.  Inning ends with BARbarians 1, Appealables 3

Top of the second

Haskins gets a single.  Fax hits one to Christensen and he’s out.  Beck, next, with a triple and run scored. Sharf line drives to Greenwade and out.  Harmon follows with a HOME RUN and two more runs! Haskins pop out. 

Bottom of the second

Beck Pitching. Poppen gets a single. Palmietto hits to Sharf for the out. Christensen takes a hit by pitch.  Hosmer saunters to the plate and hits one over the picnickers but its foul.  No injuries to people, place or potato salad reported. Inning ends with BARbarians holding a one run lead – BARbarians 4, Appealables 3

Top of the third

Fuhrman pitching.  Fax hits to Fuhrman for the knee sacrificing out. Beck power pops to Lukachick and he’s out.  Scharf takes an apparently walloping hit by pitch resulting in a fall to his knees in dramatic agony.  Tears might have been faked.  Medics not called. Harmon next with a single then Haskins to Myers for the out.

Bottom of third

Beck pitching for the BARbarians. Greenwade fires one to left field. Scharf, miraculously recovered, LEAPS to catch for the out.  Furhman smashes one straight to Beck for the out.  Inning ends with no runs added. 

Top of fourth

Game notes sketchy but Harmon manages a triple and bats one of his teammates in.

Bottom of the fourth

Three up, three out.  Inning ends with BARbarians creeping ahead: BARbarians 5, Appealables 3. 

Top of fifth

First up Fax with a line drive to Poppen and he’s out. Beck walks. Scharf hits one to Furhman and he’s out. Harmon out.  Is it just me or is this game getting a little sad and boring?  Did I just say that out loud?

Bottom of the fifth

Christensen up first with a single. Hosmer at bat.  Apparently overheard “boring.”  Lands a triple sending Christensen across the plate.  GAME TIED!  Will his teammates close it out with one more run? Greenwade out. Fuhrman out. Lukachick double. Poppen out.  WE ARE NOW IN EXTRA INNINGS.  How’s that for not boring.

Top of the sixth

Fuhrman pitching. Haskins powers a hit to Hosmer and he’s out.  Fax follows with a double causing chaos in the outfield. Disorder in the court! Beck to Lukachick and out. Sharf to Christensen and out. Score still tied.

Bottom of the sixth

Beck pitching. Carrier at bat.  Is taunted by his own teammate.  Strikes out. Christensen walks. Will this game ever be over? Hosmer fouls. And then, seemingly out of nowhere -  BAM! HOSMER DELIVERS THE HIT, THE WIN AND THE MOMENT WITH THE MOST EXCITING PLAY IN WIFFLE BALL.  THE WALK OFF HOME RUN.  That was a fun.

Final Score BARbarians 5, Appealables 6

Game 20

Bad News Barristers v Court Jesters (Neale Newman v Carnahan Evans)

Bad News Barristers Batting Order

Mariana Larson

Jud Poppen

Marly Gourley

Cecilia Bailey

Kaitlin Knetzke

Lilly Sweeny

Nate Dunville

Court Jesters Batting Order

Brett Hodges

Andy Peebles

Jay Preston

Top of the first

Peebles pitching, Larson to Preston and out. Poppen takes multiple hits to the person then walks. Bailey gets a single

Bottom of the first

Dunville pitching. Hodges walks. Peebles to Knetzke with a hop, catch, and out.  Two more outs.

Top of the second

Peebles pitching.  Dunville at bat.  Is Peebles AIMING for him?  First, Dunville ducks to avoid a bean ball, then takes several body, one actually ball to balls.  Will. Not. Surrender.  Refuses every hit by pitch opportunity.  FINALLY, Dunville hits a triple.  Hope that was worth it.  Larson follow with a triple and run scored. Poppen pops to Hodges and is out. Gourley line drives to Preston. Out. Etc. 

Bottom of second

Dunville pitching. Peebles to Larson for the out. Preston out. Hodges with a single. Peebles out.  Blah blah blah.  Inning ends with Barristers “winning” one to zero.

Top of third

First up, Knetzke lends some excitement with a pop to left.  Hodges catches for the out. Sweeney avoids injury with a dramatic brush back.  Dunville hits to left, Hodges catches for the out.

Bottom of third

Preston hits a double. Hodges hits to Dunville for the out. Peebles out. Preston out.  Ok people.  Are you actually trying here? Score still 1, zip.

Top of fourth

Larson to hits to Preston for the out. Poppen hits a triple. Gourley to Peebles and out.  And so on.

Bottom of fourth

Dunville pitching. Hodges gets a triple. Peebles out. Preston out. Hodges to Knetzke with the ONLY EXCITEMENT FOR THE INNING when summer associate KNETZKE DIVES FOR THE CATCH OUT!

Top of the fifth

Knetzke with a single. Sweeney hits to Peebles, out. Dunville swinging at absolute shit pitches strikes out.  Note.  Strike outs are rarely reported in the wiffle brief which strives for fun, not accuracy.  But this one was earned.  Next up Larson who blasts one way out in left to the fence – but nothing is getting past Hodges tonight and she’s out.

Bottom of fifth

Dunville pitching. Peebles walk. Preston out. Hodges out. Peebles with a triple and in that fun and fascinating manner, unique to no-running wiffle ball,  bats himself in.  AND WE HAVE A TIE GAME.  Will the Jesters put this one to rest.  Preston is next up and he apparently wants to keep playing because he is out and we are in EXTRA INNINGS.

Top of the sixth

Poppen smacks one to Hodges for the out. Summer Associate Gourley gets a single that ricochets off her wrist.  Whatever works. Bailey to Peebles and out. Knetzke, hitting her stride, rockets one into left, looks like it could be, it might be, is it….  Ball plinkos out of the tree and who is waiting to cradle it in his arms?  You guessed it.  Hodges.  She’s out. 

Bottom of the sixth

Hodges to Dunville and he’s out. Peebles to Knetzke who dives for the catch and out. Preston out. Hodges walks. Peebles out. Score is still tied.  One to one. 

Top of the seventh

Peebles pitching as the dark of night begins to set in over the field.  First up, Barristers Captain Sweeney to Hodges and she’s out. Dunville to Hodges and… yeah.  He’s out.

Here’s a suggestion.  Stop hitting to Hodges. Larson gets a double but her teammates leave her stranded.  Petition to end this game soon filed by the reporter.

Bottom of the seventh

Preston files response with a triple into the tree. Hodges hits one toward Dunville who has to run around the sawhorse for the catch and out. That looked painful. Peebles at bat.  Man on third.  Will he be able to seal this one?  Please.  Seriously.  PRAYERS ANSWERED. HE DOES IT.  PEEBLES WITH THE SECOND MOST EXCITING PLAY IN WIFFLE BALL, A WALK OFF TRIPLE, PLATING A RUN. 

And thus ends a remarkably long and low scoring game with barely enough light to pack up the equipment.  But hey, a win’s a win.  Jesters advance to the quarterfinals.

Final Score: Jesters 2, Barristers 1

Games 13, 14, 15 and 16 of the 2026 SMBA Wiffle Ball Season

NIGHT FOUR: THE DOCKET IS FULL, THE BALLS ARE GONE

Night four of the 2026 season is called to order at 5:30 at Mother’s Brewery Backyard. Docket entries note four games, thirteen home runs and one score board rendered inadmissible by drizzle (it is called "dry" erase for a reason).  Weather related continuance denied.  Scoreboard malfunction may or may not constitute suppression of evidence.

Special commendation to Cameron Beaver for serving as relief umpire, team captain, pitcher, and home run hitter for the Turkeys. A five-tool player. A true friend of the court, and field.

----------------------------------------------------------------

GAME 13 - BAD NEWS BARRISTERS v. LET FREEDOM SWING (Neale Newman v. Twibell Pierson)

Umpire: Cameron Beaver

The Barristers take the field with ten players. Let Freedom Swing counters with four. The math is not favorable, but the law is the great equalizer, right?

LET FREEDOM SWING BATTING ORDER: Scott Pierson, Cole Roberts, Bryan Delleville, Tarek Masri

BAD NEWS BARRISTERS BATTING ORDER: Carson Fink, Mariana Larson, Quentin Michael, Cecilia Bailey, Jud Poppen, Lilly Sweeney, Nathan Rogers, Nate Dunville, Marly Gourley, Tabitha Crane

TOP OF THE FIRST -- Let Freedom Swing's offense opens with a walk, another walk, and then Masri drives in runs like he's billing by the hit. Pierson doubles for two more RBI. Roberts reaches third via the overgrowth -- unofficial ground rules territory that is as legally ambiguous as it sounds. Delleville adds a single RBI before Masri is finally retired on a grounder to Rogers. It is, by any measure, a productive first half-inning for Let Freedom Swing.

BOTTOM OF THE FIRST -- Delleville pitching. Fink walks. Michael doubles. Bailey singles and drives in a run. The Barristers are on the board. Inning closes with Let Freedom Swing (5) to Barristers (1)

TOP OF THE SECOND -- Roberts walks to lead off.  Masri triples off Poppen's hands. Pierson follows with a triple of his own, and Roberts later doubles in another run despite Poppen's best efforts. Let Freedom Swing continues to rack runs.

BOTTOM OF THE SECOND -- Delleville keeps pitching. Rogers strikes out. Dunville powers a pop that sends Roberts airborne for the catch. Gourley strikes out. Three up, three down. Efficient.

TOP OF THE THIRD -- Michael pitching. Pierson's pop-up is cradle-caught in the crook of Michael’s arm.  Which was already cradling a couple of other balls.  Wait, what? Roberts walks. Delleville fouls one into the tree in left field. Foul balls rarely make the recap, but this one had dramatic flair. Masri grounds to Poppen. Pierson takes a HBP. Roberts then triples, driving in three. An inning of modest Barrister resistance.

BOTTOM OF THE THIRD -- Crane is up and out. Fink -- who is taking a study break from bar prep to play wiffle ball, which is either brave or inadvisable -- grounds to Delleville and out. Larson triples. Michael takes a HBP. Bailey grounds to Roberts and out. The Barristers leave runners stranded, which is a recurring theme.

TOP OF THE FOURTH -- Michael pitching. The fourth inning becomes a home run derby. Masri triples. Pierson launches a decisive two-run homer over the right field fence. Roberts triples. Delleville walks. Masri then unloads a three-RBI home run. Pierson adds another. The balls are leaving the field so fast you might think Michael was playing for Let Freedom Swing. Roberts pockets a triple deep in center. Delleville adds another deep triple for an RBI. Masri and Pierson both strike out -- even the best lose one occasionally. Roberts then rockets one deep to center, where Poppen manages a redemptive snag/ one-handed out.

BOTTOM OF THE FOURTH -- Poppen hits to Roberts, who is covering the outfield like a new associate on the traffic docket -- thoroughly and everywhere. Out. Sweeney out. Rogers powers one into the right field overgrowth. Roberts sprints, dives face first into the shrubbery in a valiant, alarming and ultimately failed catch attempt. Rogers takes the triple. The Barristers, scoreless for three innings, are now subject to the arbitrarily applied mercy rule.

FINAL SCORE: LET FREEDOM SWING 18, BAD NEWS BARRISTERS 1

Both teams conduct themselves with affability -- a finding that is not always achievable in adversarial proceedings. Commendation to all.

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GAME 14

McGLOVENS v. DOJ TURKEYS (Kutak v. DOJ)

Umpire: Ty Harden

McGLOVENS BATTING ORDER: Joseph Reid, Taylor White, Colin Elliott

DOJ TURKEYS BATTING ORDER: Hannah Lucas, Kaylee Comer, Cameron Beaver, Casey Clark, Randy Eggert

Fun from the first pitch.

TOP OF THE FIRST -- Beaver takes the mound for the Turkeys. Reid leads with a triple. White then lofts a home run over the center field fence that causes actual gasps from those in attendance. Elliott triples. White, not satisfied, embeds one so irretrievably deep in the overgrowth that it is ruled a home run by necessity and fear of poison ivy. Elliott hits a solid shot to center but Clark shuts it down with the catch out. McGlovens take an early commanding position with four runs.

BOTTOM OF THE FIRST -- Reid pitching. Lucas takes a HBP. Comer is caught out by Elliott. Beaver then delivers what the reporter can only characterize as a possibly retaliatory home run over the right field fence -- two RBI, no comment. Clark grounds to Reid and out. Turkeys on the board with two runs.

TOP OF THE SECOND -- Beaver pitching. White triples. Elliott triples. Reid triples. White then hits his third home run of the night -- two more runs, and the wiffle ball census diminishes by the inning. Reid pops to the pitcher. Beaver demonstrates admirable agility with a run around the sawhorse for the out. White tries a change of pace and grounds to Eggert. Out. Even the best hitters in the room cannot homer on every at-bat.

BOTTOM OF THE SECOND -- Reid pitching. Lucas, Comer, and Beaver go out in order. Three up, three down.

TOP OF THE THIRD -- Clark pitching. Elliott triples to deep center. Reid takes a HBP. White walks. Bases loaded. Elliott is hit again -- RBI, bases still loaded. Reid hits to far right where Clark hustles and snags it on the bounce. White walks for another RBI. Elliott is hit yet again -- another RBI. The McGlovens are relentless. Four more runs score. No drama, no b.s.  Notice is taken.

BOTTOM OF THE THIRD -  The gentle but persistent drizzle renders the dry erase board inoperable. Evidence that this half inning occurred is therefore suppressed.

TOP OF THE FOURTH -- White deflects a hit off of Beaver's foot for a single. Reid follows with a two-run homer. White triples. The McGlovens are simultaneously cool and on fire.

BOTTOM OF THE FOURTH -- Further equipment failure. Motion for all weather scoreboard option. Under advisement.

TOP OF THE FIFTH -- Reid hits -- again testing Beaver's agility, who passes the test. Out. White smacks one into the shrub, and Comer claims the catch in a ruling that is controversial but stands up. These teams, let the record reflect, are refreshingly reasonable.

BOTTOM OF THE FIFTH -- Eggert grounds to Elliott and out. Lucas singles. Comer triples for an RBI. Beaver, launches another home run for two more RBI. Lucas singles again. The Turkeys post their best inning of the night with three runs but the deficit is substantial.

FINAL SCORE: McGLOVENS 14, DOJ TURKEYS 5

Lots of action, limited trash talk. Fun was had by all parties. A delightful game proving that adversarial proceedings do not have to be unpleasant.

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GAME 15

BENCHWARMERS v. DRAGONSLAYERS (Spencer Fane v. GC Prosecutors)

Umpire: Cameron Beaver

BENCHWARMERS BATTING ORDER: Doug Reynolds, Alden Smith, Alec Martinez, Jake Sappington, Kenzie Hatman

DRAGONSLAYERS BATTING ORDER: Spencer Paige, Katelynn Frazier, Dan Patterson, Sheri Tucker, Ethan Auten, Danielle Pitera, Justin Albright, Jacob Carrow, Chris Lebeck

This game will be remembered for two things: unpleasant oral argument on the part of the Dragonslayers.  OBJECTIONS WILL BE OVERRULED, and the Benchwarmers' refusing dozens of hit-by-pitch walks with the stubborn persistence usually reserved for pro se litigants.

TOP OF THE FIRST -- Patterson pitching. Reynolds leads off and immediately launches a home run. Smith triples. Then 2025 Home Run Derby Champion Alec Martinez steps in and, true to form, deposits a two-run homer into private property. Hatman provides the first strikeout of the evening -- even champions need a breather. Sappington triples. Reynolds fires another triple through the gap for an RBI. Then Martinez gets beaned. Then another to the body. Then a third. He declines the walk each time, apparently viewing the HBP as an invitation to negotiate rather than a ruling. He finally makes contact and is caught out. The Benchwarmers take the hill.

BOTTOM OF THE FIRST -- Martinez pitching. Paige is caught out by Smith. Frazier is caught out by Smith. Patterson doubles. Tucker is caught out by Sappington. Three of the four Dragonslayers are ruled out on the spot. Efficient defense.

TOP OF THE SECOND -- Patterson pitching. Hatman out. Sappington out. Reynolds powers a very high pop that causes confusion in the outfield -- a double. Smith doubles with an RBI. Hatman triples off the sawhorse for two RBI. And this is the moment that everything devolves into chaos. Heated one-sided oral argument directed at the umpire from the fielding team.  Overruled.  More argument follows. Stop. Talking.  The reporter is distracted with all the jabbering and notes only that the inning eventually ends. 

BOTTOM OF THE SECOND -- Auten lines a solid hit to right field, caught by Hatman. Out. Pitera to Martinez and out. Albright to right, Reynolds out. Quick and clean defense, no runs.

TOP OF THE THIRD -- Reynolds triples. Smith hits to Patterson who slips, slides, and still makes the catch. The crowd -- which for once is watching every play -- applauds. Martinez triples for an RBI. Hatman hits one that gets past Patterson, only to be caught out by Albright. The Benchwarmers continue to pile up runs.

BOTTOM OF THE THIRD -- Carrow pops to Hatman and out. Lebeck grounds to Reynolds and out. Paige up and out. Three up, three down. The Dragonslayers are being shut out in both senses of the word.

TOP OF THE FOURTH -- Reynolds doubles. Smith is caught out. Martinez grounds to Carrow and out. Hatman grounds to Patterson and out. A quiet inning by Benchwarmers standards.

BOTTOM OF THE FOURTH -- Frazier out. Patterson blazes an uncatchable triple to left – Boss move. Tucker out. Auten out. Still no runs for the Dragonslayers but they remain remarkably determined.

TOP OF THE FIFTH -- Sappington triples. Reynolds triples for an RBI and a bat drop. Smith triples deep into center for an RBI. Martinez lofts one over the fence into private property -- two RBI. Hatman singles. Sappington triples for an RBI. Reynolds triples again for another RBI. Smith singles for an RBI. Martinez is finally retired. Sappington triples again. Reynolds caps the inning with a two-run home run. Smith closes it out.

BOTTOM OF THE FIFTH -- Pitera to Reynolds and out. Albright out. Carrow to Hatman and caught out. Three up, three down. Game over.  Everyone is encouraged to go get a beer and a better attitude.

FINAL SCORE: BENCHWARMERS 17, DRAGONSLAYERS 0

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GAME 16 BARbarians v. USUAL SUSPECTS (Lowther Johnson v. Crim Defense Pals)

Umpire: Cameron Beaver

BARbarians BATTING ORDER: David Fielder, Kyle Harmon, Kenny Beck, Austin Fax, Jacob Haskins

USUAL SUSPECTS BATTING ORDER: Ty Harden, Sara Meier, Ben Stringer

TOP OF THE FIRST -- Stringer pitching. Three up, three down. The BARbarians are retired in order. A quiet opening that gives no indication of what is to follow.

BOTTOM OF THE FIRST -- Meier to Beck and out. Harden blazes a hit to Harmon so hard that Harmon's hand may still be stinging.  Worth it. Stringer walks. Meier singles to Beck. Harden singles. Bases loaded. Stringer takes a HBP, walking in a run. Meier hits to Beck and out. The Usual Suspects put a run on the board.

TOP OF THE SECOND -- Fax rips a triple to left. Haskins is caught out. Fielder triples to Harden and out. Harmon hits to Harden for an acrobatic sliding catch. Out. Harden is everywhere.

BOTTOM OF THE SECOND -- Beck pitching. Harden triples. Stringer walks. Meier doubles for an RBI. Harden takes a HBP. Bases loaded. The game pauses: Beck's pitches have broken the backdrop. Repairs made. Order is restored. Meier hits to Haskins and out.

TOP OF THE THIRD -- Stringer pitching. Beck pops a triple. Fax triples for an RBI. Haskins pops -- Harden runs from the other end of the outfield to make the play. Out. Fielder pops -- Harden slides on one knee for another catch. Out. Harden is covering the outfield with the energy of a solo practitioner with no staff.

BOTTOM OF THE THIRD -- Meier out. Harden singles. Stringer triples for an RBI. Meier to Harmon and out. Harden triples for another RBI. Stringer to Fielder and out.

TOP OF THE FOURTH -- Beck fires one to left. Finally, one gets past Harden. Triple. Fax to Stringer and out. Haskins to Harden and out.

BOTTOM OF THE FOURTH -- Meier to Fax and out. Harden triples. Stringer triples for an RBI -- this one requires excavation from the shrubbery. Meier to Fax and out. Harden takes a HBP. Beck's pitching breaks the backdrop again. Stringer walks. Meier to Fax and out.

TOP OF THE FIFTH -- Harmon triples. Beck triples for an RBI. Fax takes a HBP. Fielder hits to Harden who slides for the catch. Out. The BARbarians add a run but cannot close the gap.

FINAL SCORE: USUAL SUSPECTS 5, BARbarians 1

A much more interesting and evenly matched game than the score reflects. The Usual Suspects -- operating at a three-to-five personnel disadvantage -- win on grit, hustle, and Harden's acrobatic outfield coverage. The BARbarians fight hard but cannot break through. Both teams are commended for competence and collegiality.

HOME RUN CLUB LINK

LIVE from the backyard of Mother's Brewery for Night Three of the SMBA Wiffle Ball League, coming to you on a Wednesday after Tuesday’s scheduled games were washed out. Four games on the card tonight. Conditions out here are cold, damp, and getting worse by the inning — fingers are numb, scores are lopsided, and nobody is conceding because, well, it's wiffle ball and these are lawyers. Let's get into it.

GAME NINE: Court Jesters vs. Ballers

We've got Carnahan Evans veterans — seasoned both in the courtroom and at the plate — squaring off against three very pleasant Husch Blackwell summer associates who are just happy to be here. Welcome to the SMBA, folks.

Batting Order

Court Jesters

• Brett Hodges
• Jay Preston
• David Olive

Ballers

• Stephen Tate
• Anna Stewart
• Evan Hancock

Top of the 1st

The Ballers go three-up, three-down so fast our scorer barely has the cap off her pen. Nothing doing.

Bottom of the 1st

Jesters come out swinging. Hodges gets hit by pitch — no big deal, it happens to everyone. Olive doubles. Hodges hit by pitch again. Okay. Jay Preston rips a triple, RBI, runners advancing. Olive singles. Hodges hit by pitch. Third time, absorbing pitches like a human backstop. Bases loaded. Preston responds with ANOTHER triple and another RBI. Six runs score in the bottom of the first. The Hodges HBP situation has officially become A Thing.

Top of the 2nd

Stewart doubles. Hubbard doubles. Stewart draws a walk — bases loaded, Ballers threatening! And then... nothing. Rally stalls. No runs. The Ballers leave three stranded and head back to the field shaking their heads but with smiles on their faces.

Bottom of the 2^nd

Hancock pitching for the Ballers. Hodges grounds to the pitcher — out. Preston hits to Tate, who DIVES to make the catch in a highlight-reel play. Olive doubles. Hodges hits right back to Tate and that's the inning.  Effort is applauded.

Top of the 3rd

Stewart hits to Hodges — out. Tate rips one to deep center for a triple. Hancock follows with a triple of his own and drives in a run — the Ballers are on the board! Stewart hits to Hodges to end it, but the Ballers have broken through. 6-1 Jesters.

Bottom of the 3rd

Preston drives one deep to left — and Tate tracks it down! Out number one. Olive triples. Preston gets one past Tate — finally! — triple, RBI. Olive follows with a triple RBI of his own. Two more runs for the Jesters. 8-1.

Top of the 4th

Hancock doubles. Stewart doubles. Two doubles on the board — and zero runs.

Bottom of the 4th

Preston to Tate — out. Olive singles into the sawhorse. Hodges to Tate — out. Preston to Tate — out. That is THREE outs to Tate in one half-inning. The Jesters' dugout is actively avoiding eye contact with that side of the field.

Top of the 5th

Stewart doubles. Tate hits to Hodges — out. Hancock hits to Olive, who lunges and hauls it in — and that's the ballgame!

FINAL SCORE: Court Jesters 8, Ballers 1

Brett Hodges takes three consecutive hits by pitch and never flinches. Stephen Tate puts on a defense clinic but six runs in the first inning is a very deep hole to climb out of. The Jesters run away with it.

GAME TEN: Lacks Appeal vs. Gideon's Soldiers

Judge Hamner and the clerks from the Southern District Court of Appeals take on the Public Defenders. Spoiler – Apparently the Public Defenders heard that the Southern District was into points relied on.  And. They. Delivered.

Batting Order

Gideon's Soldiers

• Nathan Beaver
• Blake Burchard
• Benjamin Burlie
• Luke Dainty
• Scott Skocy
• Sam Reed
• Cory Guinn

Lacks Appeal

• Mike Risberg
• Allison Garrett
• Winton Neal
• Adam Li
• Matt Hamner

Top of the 1st — Luke Dainty pitching

Risberg grounds out to Burlie. Neal singles — Lacks Appeal's first baserunner. Li hits back to Dainty and that's the inning. Quick and clean for the Soldiers' defense.

Bottom of the 1st — Risberg pitching

Oh my. Beaver leads off with a triple and drives in a run. Burlie gets hit by pitch and things start to get chaotic out in the outfield — we're talking full organizational breakdown. Dainty absolutely demolishes a triple that ends up buried in the overgrowth in right field. Guinn hits to Hamner for out one. Skocy smashes one right into Risberg — a pitch that prompts serious discussion about bringing in a relief pitcher. Risberg stays in. Gideon's Soldiers score five runs in the first. Buckle up.

Top of the 2nd

Nothing. Lacks Appeal goes quietly. We move on.

Bottom of the 2nd

Here we go again. Burlie triples. Dainty triples — two RBIs! Guinn hits to Hamner, out one. Skocy triples in a run. Burlie doubles in a run. Dainty doubles in a run. Guinn doubles in a run. They are just teeing off out here — hit after hit after hit. Skocy finally gets reeled in by a rolling catch from Risberg, who deserves a hand just for staying upright at this point. Six more runs. Gideon's Soldiers lead 11-0 and the inning is finally over.

Top of the 3rd

Lacks Appeal finally gets something going! Neal drills a triple into deep center. Hamner follows with a triple that gets past Skocy — RBI! They're on the board! Risberg pops to Burlie, out one. Garrett hits to Guinn, out two. One run for Lacks Appeal, and honestly the crowd — such as it is on an aggravatingly cold May night — acknowledges the effort.

Bottom of the 3rd

Beaver gets hit by pitch. Burchard singles. Burlie triples, RBI. Reed hits a high one to Hamner — out. Then Dainty pounds another one into the shrubbery for a triple — that right field vegetation has now eaten multiple balls tonight and shows no sign of giving them back. Special mention to Winton Neal for valiant catch attempt and risking exposure to poison ivy in the process. Beaver walks. Burchard triples past Hamner. Burlie walks. Reed doubles. And then — DAINTY GOES DEEP! A two-run homer! The Soldiers are absolutely rolling. Skocy triples. Beaver walks. Ten runs in the inning. The game is called. Mercifully. For everyone.

FINAL SCORE: Gideon's Soldiers 21, Lacks Appeal 1

Twenty-one runs. This one was Luke Dainty’s game with multiple triples and the home run. The public defenders put on an offensive that will be talked about for the remainder of this season. Lacks Appeal never gave up. The mercy rule exists for moments exactly like this one.

GAME ELEVEN: Pour but Legal vs. Prior and Persistent

Legal Services vs. Criminal Defense Cohort

Sixty-four degrees but damp, cloudy, and miserable outside. What is happening with this weather? Yet here we are — because the schedule yields for no one. Pour but Legal squares off against Prior and Persistent in a scrappy, well-contested game.

Batting Order

Pour but Legal

• Jill Patterson
• Clayton Ballard
• Knial Piper
• Steve Kellogg

Prior and Persistent

• Brady Musgrave
• Stacie Bilyeu
• Brian Risley
• Kristin Jones
• Stuart Huffman

Top of the 1st — Clayton Ballard pitching

Risley singles to lead off. Bilyeu then hits one to right field - directly to her law school roommate Jill Patterson. The two share a look. Patterson catches it anyway. Epic moment. Friendship tested. No runs score.

Bottom of the 1st — Stuart Huffman pitching

Patterson hits to Musgrave — out. Piper walks. Ballard doubles. Kellogg singles. Bases loaded. Patterson steps back up and hits right to Musgrave again — out. All that setup and no payoff. Pour strands three and heads back to the field scoreless.

Top of the 2nd

Huffman doubles past Patterson. Musgrave grounds to Piper — out. Jones singles. Risley gets hit by pitch. Bases loaded, Prior and Persistent threatening — and then a couple of strikeouts end the inning. No runs. Frustration palpable.

Bottom of the 2nd

Pour gets going. Ballard triples. Kellogg gets hit by pitch. Ballard gets hit by pitch. Kellogg singles in a run — 1-0 Pour! Then in one of the most dramatic moments of the season, Patterson steps up and CLEARS THE BASES with a triple — three RBIs! Pour but Legal erupts for four runs in the second and they've got a 4-0 lead. Everyone has temporarily forgotten how cold and gloomy they are.

Top of the 3rd

Prior and Persistent files their answer.  Musgrave lofts a triple into the tree – our favorite natural obstacle in left field. Jones gets hit by pitch. Huffman doubles in a run — Prior is on the board! 4-1.

Bottom of the 3rd — Huffman pitching

Ballard walks. Kellogg walks. Patterson goes deep to right — and in an absolutely epic retaliatory move, Bilyeu reaches up and catches it.  Awkward, amazing and hilarious. Inning over.

Top of the 4th — Risley pitching

Jones singles. Risley triples in a run — Prior narrows the gap. 4-2. Then three strikeouts in a row end the inning just like that.

Bottom of the 4th

Kellogg to Musgrave — out. Ballard to Huffman — out. Piper singles. Ballard gets hit by pitch. Kellogg sends one up into the tree for a triple. Patterson hits to Huffman — out. Short half inning but it produces two more runs. Pour leads 6-2.

Top of the 5th

One hit by pitch and three strikeouts. Ballgame. This one would have been even more fun without the weather trying its best to ruin everything.

FINAL SCORE: Pour but Legal 6, Prior and Persistent 2

Pour but Legal wins their FIRST GAME IN FOUR SEASONS. Let that sink in. Four seasons. Rumor is they are ecstatic and they have every right to be. They earned it. Patterson's bases-clearing triple was the big blow. Bilyeu's one-handed catch is the defensive play of the night.

GAME TWELVE: Appealables vs. Motion to Strike

31st Circuit Judges vs. CoxHealth

A three-inning annihilation.

Batting Order

Appealables

• Phil Fuhrman
• Kaiti Greenwade
• Andy Hosmer
• Jason Brown (Wild Card / SMBA President)

Motion to Strike

• Danielle Reid
• Bryan Wade
• Charity Elmer
• Lauren Haskins
• Lindsey Franklin
• Abby Craigmyle

Top of the 1st — Abby Craigmyle pitching

Fuhrman walks. Greenwade doubles. Hosmer triples — two RBIs.  Boom. Then SMBA President/ Wildcard player Jason Brown steps in and strikes out. We'll judicially take notice that this is his first at-bat. Fuhrman walks again. Greenwade follows with a two-RBI triple. Hosmer then — and this is something — takes a few pitches left-handed, switches to his right hand mid-at-bat, and still manages to dump a double into the gap. Wade's palm gets in the way of nothing. Brown strikes out again. The team captain requests a sidebar with the Commissioner of Wiffle Ball: "do the rules allow us to give Brown back?" Denied. Four runs scored.

Bottom of the 1st — Fuhrman pitching

Reid hits to Hosmer — out. Wade gets hit by pitch. Approaching the plate with sincerity Charity Elmer asks if she can bat with her hands in her pockets. The answer, after a moment's consideration, is no. So she hits to Hosmer — out. Haskins hits to Hosmer — out. Three putouts for Hosmer. He’s on fire and the rest of us are freezing. No runs for Motion to Strike.

Top of the 2nd — Charity Elmer pitching (first career start)

Motion to Strike makes a bold pitching change — Charity Elmer takes the mound for the first time in her life. The Appealables are visibly, openly grateful for this development. Greenwade smacks a hit that deflects off Wade's palm — Reid scrambles but can't get there. Triple. Hosmer triples in a run. Brown hits a slightly redemptive single. Fuhrman walks. Greenwade then clears the bases with a triple. Hosmer hits to Elmer — out. Brown singles off the sawhorse. Fuhrman hits a two-run triple. Greenwade doubles. Hosmer triples in two more. Brown gets hit by pitch. Greenwade hits to Reid — out. Eight runs in the inning. The scoreboard is struggling to keep up.

Bottom of the 2nd — Fuhrman pitching

A couple of strikeouts. Reid triples — she's got some pop! Wade hits a high fly to Greenwade — out. No runs.

Top of the 3rd — Craigmyle pitching

Hosmer triples — Reid gives great effort but can't track it down. Fuhrman triples in a run. Greenwade hits to Craigmyle — out. Hosmer triples in another run. Brown triples in a run. Fuhrman doubles. Three more runs.  Thef Appealables are overruling Motion at every opportunity.

Bottom of the 3rd

Elmer hits to Hosmer — out. Haskins triples past Hosmer's attempted backslide catch — it's a tough play, it doesn't quite come off, and the stoic umpire who has been standing out here in the cold without expression for three full games... cracks a smile. Franklin hits to Greenwade — out. Craigmyle singles. No runs.

Mercy rule. Game called. Everyone is relieved except Reid.  Gotta love her love for the game.

FINAL SCORE: Appealables 15, Motion to Strike 0

The Judges shut out CoxHealth in a three-inning mercy rule game. Hosmer delivered triples, putouts, doubles, he was absolutely everywhere. Greenwade was equally locked in at the plate. Brown went one for two in his Wild Card appearance, which is a marked improvement over the first inning. Elmer's first career pitching start will be remembered fondly by everyone on the opposing team.

NIGHT THREE — FINAL WRAP

That's a wrap on Night Three of the 2026 SMBA Wiffle Ball Season. Four games, four winners, and a whole lot of cold fingers.

Here's what we'll remember:

• Stephen Tate is one to watch with single half-inning in Game Nine. Recruitment anyone?
• Luke Dainty hits the ONLY home run of the night in Game Ten, adding to what is already a demolition-level offensive performance by Gideon's Soldiers.
• Winton Neal may have poison ivy. Someone check on Winton Neal.
• Jill Patterson and Stacie Bilyeu.  Iconic.
• Pour but Legal wins their first game in FOUR SEASONS. We salute you.
• Andy Hosmer has secret, absurd skills.  
• Jason Brown strikes out twice as the Wild Card, hits a single, and keeps his presidency for the time being.
• The trees, shrubbery, and sawhorse played significant defensive roles across all four games and are not on any roster.

See you at Night Four. Dress warm.

Games 5, 6 and 7

Venue: Mother's Brewery Backyard

Night two of the 2026 season was called to order on a glorious evening that required both sunscreen and bug spray — "a real outdoor situation."

Presiding was newly appointed Field Magistrate/ aka Umpire Jacey Byler, fresh off her freshman year at Drury University where she plays shortstop. Jacey is quiet, efficient, and on this field she ain't playing. Objections will be overruled. All of them.

Game Five:

POUR BUT LEGAL vs. THE BENCH WARMERS (Legal Services of Southern Missouri v. Spencer Fane LLP)

Neither of these teams has secured a single victory in three seasons of SMBA play. History, ladies and gentlemen, was about to be made - slowly, and with a lot of walks.

TOP OF THE FIRST

Clayton Ballard pitching for Pour but Legal. Doug Reynolds decisively makes his case with a triple. 2025 Home Run Derby Champ Alec Martinez is walked, a free pass the defense would come to deeply regret.  Newcomer Jake Sappington loads the bases with a single.  Reynolds scores on a HBP, because sometimes the ball hits you and justice happens. Then bam - Alden Smith closes the argument with a triple, driving in three more. Hot bench, warmers. 

BOTTOM OF THE FIRST

Martinez takes the mound for the Bench Warmers.  Pour but Legal edges in with a double from Rina. Ballard follows with a triple RBI, putting a run on the board.

TOP OF THE SECOND:

Martinez leads with a triple. Sappington line drive to Knial Piper — out.  Couple more outs, no runs

BOTTOM OF THE SECOND:

Reynolds now pitching. Piper hit by pitch, Ballard walked. Edge loads the bases — a full docket. A couple of strikeouts then Ballard hits a screaming shot right to Sappington, who ended the inning. Pour but Legal and Sad.

TOP OF THE THIRD

Ballard pitching. Martinez with a pop fly to Kellogg. Per eyewitness testimony Kellogg catches the ball "like a baby."  The inning concludes with the efficiency of a lawyer who isn’t billing by the hour.

BOTTOM OF THE THIRD — Where things get interesting:

Sappington, who arrived merely as a spectator and is now inexplicably pitching, presides over a productive inning for the Bench Warmers. Kellogg launches a triple that caromed off the ivy-covered fence. Edge is robbed of a double by Sappington's fast reflexes. Piper retaliates with a single directly into Sappington's knees, no charges were filed.  Ballard doubles with an RBI. Kellogg affably SO.  Edge walks, again, loading the bases. Piper steps to the plate and delivers a two-RBI double. Ballard adds a triple RBI. Pour but Legal and Happy to collect five runs and the lead.

TOP OF THE FOURTH

Reynolds walks, Smith doubles, Sivils walks.  Bases loaded, Martinez, takes a HBP walk and RBI. Not thrilled, but a run is a run is a run. Next up Reynolds who brings the energy only a young associate can muster launches a three-RBI triple. Smith hits a deep, promising pop to center, foiled again by Kellogg’s clutches.

BOTTOM OF THE FOURTH — Brief proceedings:

Martinez pitching. Edge thrown out past Martinez by Reynolds. Wait, what?  Piper out on a rolling grab by Sappington. Ballard hit to Sappington. Three up, three down. The tribunal thanks you for your efficiency.

TOP OF THE FIFTH — Closing arguments:

Ballard pitching. Martinez with a dramatic double (you had to be there) with Rina doing her best but couldn’t Edge him out. Sappington delivers what appears to be an effortless RBI triple…. from the guy here "just to watch." Doug "don't walk me, dude" Reynolds with a vindicating RBI triple. Sivils hits a pop caught by Ballard. The persecution rests.

BOTTOM OF THE FIFTH

Kellogg makes a case for an extra pitch but strikes out. Edge pop to Sappington, who has now racked a Gold Glove, MVP and first win league win for the Bench Warmers, all on a night he planned to sit in the stands.

VERDICT:  Bench Warmers 10, Pour But Legal 6

Pour but Legal Batting Order

• Rina Edge
• Clayton Ballard
• Knial Piper
• Steve Kellogg

Bench Warmers Batting Order

• Doug Reynolds
• Alden Smith
• Henry Sivils
• Alec Martinez
• Jake Sappington

Game Six

THE DRAGONSLAYERS vs. PRIOR AND PERSISTENT (Greene County Prosecutor's Office v. Criminal Defense Cohort)

The prosecutors came to slay dragons. The defense attorneys came because they always show up and never stop arguing.

FIRST THREE INNINGS

Summarized: a few hits, notably by Brian Risley and Sheri Tucker. Nothing getting past Brady Musgrave on the field (cheer up, dude.)  Lots of activity, few favorable outcomes.

TOP OF THE FOURTH:

Josh Harrell triples despite Risley sacrificing his knees to make the out — an act of physical jurisimprudence. Ethan Auten triples, Spencer Paige doubles. Risley dives to catch/ out Patterson. Tucker doubles with an RBI. Ciera Burns ditto with a double RBI. The Dragonslayers were chalking multiple counts.  Five to be exact. 

BOTTOM OF THE FOURTH:

Risley hit by pitch and walks. The rest of the batting order gets their turn then Risley triples for two RBIs. The defense was persistent — as advertised. In case you lost count, score is now five to two.

TOP OF THE FIFTH:

Katelyn Frazier triples for two RBIs. The rest of the prosecution rests.

BOTTOM OF THE FIFTH:

Risley triples into the dense shrubbery — a ball lost in the undergrowth, is this a metaphor for certain motions?

VERDICT:  Dragonslayers 7, Prior and Persistent 2

Dragonslayers Batting Order

• Spencer Paige
• Dan Patterson
• Sheri Tucker
• Katelynn Frazier
• Ciera Burns
• Joshua Harrel

Prior and Persistent Batting Order

• Brady Musgrave
• Kristin Jones
• Brian Risley
• Stacie Bilyeu

Game Seven:  

BARBARIANS vs. COURT JESTERS (Lowther Johnson v. Carnahan Evans)

Game delay while one or more Court Jesters are retrieved from the beer line.

TOP OF THE FIRST:

Preston Harmon opens with a triple RBI. Groves (Adali) follows immediately with a triple RBI. The BARbarians filed two counts in rapid succession. Both landed.

BOTTOM OF THE FIRST:

Kenny Beck pitching for the BARbarians. Andy Peebles grudgingly takes HBP walk. David Olive follows with a power line drive directly to Scharf.  Out.  Other stuff happened but is lost to history.

TOP OF THE SECOND:

Beck — broken toe and all — hits a triple. Harmon singles. Groves (A.)  with a two-RBI triple, Groves (McKinley) walks.

BOTTOM OF THE SECOND:

New recruit Clayton Campbell hit by pitch single. Beck pitching to Peebles so hard it broke the backdrop and paused the game.  Does anyone want to represent a property damage claim? Brett Hodges hits but foiled by Beck hustle.

TOP OF THE THIRD:

Olive pitching.  Groves (A.) with a picturesque pop to Campbell/ out. Scharf hit ricochets off the sawhorse — one of those shots that only happens here -  one-handed catch by Olive, who apparently has a potential as a wiffle-acrobat if this law thing doesn’t work out.

BOTTOM OF THE THIRD:

Beck pitching so aggressively he nails the can of bug spray at the commissioner’s desk. Jay Preston retaliates with hit toward Beck who goes for the diving catch/ out.  Campbell strikes out – wait – did he even swing at anything?   Peebles tries to redeem but this inning just needs to wrap up.

TOP OF THE FOURTH:

Beck hits a pop to deep left to Hodges/ out.  Harmon triples.  Groves (A.) lines one to Hodges and another out. Scharf doubles. Groves (M.) singles. Bases loaded, Beck pops to Peebles and out.  So much for sympathy for the guy with the broken toe.

BOTTOM OF THE FOURTH:

Olive with a line drive to Scharf — out. Hodges out. Preston triples. Campbell redeems with a triple RBI.  Jesters rack their first run of the game.  Hope is not lost.

FIFTH AND FINAL INNING. 

Noted in the official record for the brief appearance of a tutu clad toddler princess on the field.  Can’t top that and don’t even want to.

VERDICT: BARbarians 4, Court Jesters 1

Let the record reflect that BARbarian captain Kenny Beck pitched and played the entire game with a broken toe housed in a boot/shoe hybrid. Something approaching wiffleball superhero status.  Unofficially award the honor of Unreasonable Toughness.  Respect.

Court Jesters Batting Order

• Andy Peebles
• David Olive
• Brett Hodges
• Jay Preston
• Clayton Campbell

BARbarians Batting Order

• Kevin Scharf
• McKinley Groves
• Kenny Beck
• Kyle Harmon
• Adlai Groves

Opening Day: Cold Bats, Hot Tempers, and Questionable Athleticism

After Tuesday’s rainout, the much anticipated fourth season of SMBA Wiffle Ball opened Wednesday night in the hallowed backyard grounds of Mother’s Brewery. Temperatures started chilly, then plunged into “why are we doing this outdoors?” territory as the sun began to set. Beer sales reportedly slowed once players could no longer feel their fingers.

Game One

Appealables vs. Bad News Barristers

The opening game featured a marquee matchup between the jurists of the 31st Circuit, the Appealables, and Neale Newman’s Bad News Barristers.

Pitching duties fell to His Honor Phil Fuhrman for the Appealables and Quentin Michael—formerly of the Defenders and apparently now wiffle ball’s answer to free agency—for the Barristers.

After an uneventful first inning, the second inning got the ball rolling, literally and figuratively. Nathan Rogers laced the season’s first triple, Mariana Larson scored the league’s first run, and Quentin Michael delivered the season’s first hit-by-pitch, immediately testing both the new HBP rule and the league's collegiality pledge. By inning’s end, Carrier and Lukachick had also been plunked, turning the batter’s box into a hostile work environment.

The third inning delivered the comedy highlight of the night.  Larson opened with a double, Nate Dunville launched a towering fly ball to left -  overruled by Commissioner Lukachick. Then came domestic drama at the warning track. Jud Poppen smashed a liner to center directly at Appealables outfielder—and wife—Kirsten Poppen. Judge Poppen gave it an honest effort, but the ball bounced free, and rolled away for a triple.  

The Appealables finally got on the board when Andy Hosmer tripled home the team’s lone run.

In the fourth, Barristers captain and newly minted partner Lilly Sweeney opened the inning with a sharp single and later robbed Lukachick of a hit “like a boss,” according to several completely unbiased witnesses.

Final Score

Bad News Barristers 2, Appealables 1

Umpire: Cameron Beaver

Batting Order 

Appealables

• John Lukachick
• Kirsten Poppen
• Phil Fuhrman
• Kaiti Greenwade
• Andy Hosmer
• Ron Carrier 

Bad News Barristers

• Jud Poppen
• Lily Sweeney
• Nathan Rogers
• Mariana Larson
• Nate Dunville

Game Two

Motion to Strike vs. Let Freedom Swing

Game Two featured CoxHealth and friends’ Motion to Strike against defending champs Let Freedom Swing of Twibell Pierson fame. Abby Craigmyle took the mound for Motion to Strike while Bryan Delleville handled pitching duties for the reigning champs and also apparently most of their offense.

The top of the first featured a booming triple by Bryan Wade, managing partner at Husch Blackwell and, for reasons nobody fully understands, also playing for CoxHealth.

The defending champs answered quickly. Tarek Masri came out swinging with the enthusiasm of a first-year associate trying to make partner by Labor Day. Delleville followed with two RBIs and immediately reminded the league why Let Freedom Swing entered the season wearing the crown.

The second inning included one of the prettiest defensive plays of the night when SMBA President Jason Brown¹ fielded Danielle Reid’s liner with an underhanded swirling backward scoop which was both graceful and bizarre.

From there, the champs methodically piled on runs. Brown tripled. Delleville drove in more runs. Masri chipped in another RBI. Everyone kept their cool but bystanders might have overheard murmurs of "emergency injunction" from the Motion to Strike crew.

The third inning produced no scoring but there was discussion as to whether wiffle ball counts as cardio.  (it does).

In the fourth, Danielle Reid delivered a triple RBI, but Brown and Delleville responded by doubling down with triples of their own. Charity Elmer supplied the inning’s defensive highlight with a fully committed diving-and-rolling catch attempt.  Respect.

Final Score

Let Freedom Swing 7, Motion to Strike 2

Umpire: Cameron Beaver

Batting Order

Motion to Strike

• Abby Craigmyle
• Danielle Reid
• Bryan Wade
• Charity Elmer
• Laura Vales 

Let Freedom Swing

• Bryan Delleville
• Tarek Masri
• Jason Brown

Game Three

McGlovens vs. Gideon’s Soldiers

This one moved fast—partly because the hitters were aggressive and partly because everyone wanted to go indoors near a heat source.

McGlovens jumped ahead early when Taylor White and Joseph Reid each ripped triples in the first inning, driving in two runs.

In the second inning, Scott Skocy scored the league’s first home run of the season earning his fan wielded signage “public defender by day, wiffle ball stud by night.”

McGlovens kept pouring it on in the third as White and Collin Elliot each tripled, while Reid added a single to plate three more runs.

By the fourth inning, Joseph Reid was apparently seeing beach balls at the plate, smashing two triples and driving in another run.

Despite the increasingly long odds - Gideon’s Soldiers never gave up. In the fifth, Carol Palmer dropped a strategic single right into the caution cone, proving once again that placement beats power.

Final Score

McGlovens 6, Gideon’s Soldiers 1

Umpire: Cameron Beaver

Batting Order

McGlovens

• Joseph Reid
• Taylor White
• Colin Elliot

Gideon’s Soldiers

• Darlene Villalobos
• Luke Dainty
• Nathan Beaver
• Scott Skocy
• Carol Palmer
• Chantel Kelly
• John Peacock

Game Four

Mercy Me! — DOJ Turkeys vs. Lacks Appeal

The nightcap quickly turned into less of a game and more of an uncomfortable sentencing hearing.

The DOJ Turkeys exploded out of the gate with triples from Kaylee Comer, Cameron Beaver, and Casey Clark. Randy Eggert absorbed his first hit-by-pitch of the evening.

Lacks Appeal threatened briefly in the bottom half when Allison Garrett and Winton Neal each doubled, but the rally died faster than a solo practitioner’s vacation plans.

The second inning became the Casey Clark Show. After Comer doubled and Hannah Lucas and Stephanie Wan loaded the bases, Clark uncorked a bases-clearing triple. Eggert with another HBP started to take it personally. Clark added another triple and three more RBIs because moderation is for mediation.

By the third inning, the Turkeys offense had fully entered “objection, badgering” territory. Beaver tripled. Clark tripled again. Comer added a two-RBI triple. Nearly everyone on the roster found extra bases while Judge Hamner attempted a heroic knee-slide stop on the mound that will absolutely not be forgotten despite the score.

As the cold worsened and the score ballooned, the Turkeys stayed red hot while everyone else packed up their belongings and headed to the parking lot after the third inning.  Mercy.

Final Score

DOJ Turkeys 16, Lacks Appeal 0

Umpire: Judge Carrier

Batting Order

DOJ Turkeys

• Hannah Lucas
• Stephanie Wan
• Kaylee Comer
• Cameron Beaver
• Casey Clark
• Randy Eggert 

Lacks Appeal

• Allison Garrett
• Winton Neal
• Adam Li
• Matthew Hamner

2026 Home Run Club

Game 3

• Scott Skocy — First Home Run of the 2026 Season

Early Season Notes

• Props to Mert Seaton of Lexitas for the excellent coin tossing to determine home/ away.
• Triple season is officially underway.
• Hit-by-pitch diplomacy remains unresolved.
  
• Wildcard Player/ SMBA President Jason Brown is not a terrible player
• The Commissioner has declined comment on whether beer sales correlate directly with temperature.

Thank you to the SMBA volunteers who served as scoring evaluators: Brett Schneider, Anthony Phillips, Amy Westermann, Courtney Schawo, Heather Rooney McBride, Joshua Baker, Jenna Homeyer, Cameron Casad, Kim Pulley and Jason Brown  and Judges Greenwade, Ankrom, Poppen, Fuhrman, Palmietto and Hosmer.

The tournament is presented by the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Foundation with grant funding from the Missouri Lawyer Trust Account Foundation.  Information on helping start a team is available at this link.

Corporate

• Rachael Dockery, Missouri State University

Public Service

• Jacqueline Ledezma-Ruelas, Greene County Prosecutor’s Office

• Judge Kirsten Poppen, 31st Judicial Circuit

Transactional

• Lillian Sweeney, Neale and Newman

Mentor

• Charity Elmer, Cox Health

Woman of the Year

• Betsy Ledgerwood, Clerk of the Court, Missouri Supreme Court

Elizabeth Fax, Greene County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office

Camber Jones, Spencer Fane

Robert Temple, Kembell Woods and Martinsen LLP

The awards event will take place April 8 at the Oasis Convention Center. 

• 20 x 30 $250
• 24 x 36 $350

An image of the composite can be viewed at this link and a sample will be available at the February monthly lunch.  Orders must be placed by March 20.  To order, email info@springfieldbar.com.

February 4, 2026

Lawyers Install New Leadership

Brown to serve as 100th President of Springfield Bar

________________________________________

SPRINGFIELD, MO – The Honorable Jason Brown was sworn in as the 2026 President of the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association (SMBA) Friday, January 23,  2026 at the 52nd SMBA Banquet and Installation of Officers.  Judge Brown retired from the 31^st Judicial Circuit in 2022 and is now with Jay Daugherty Mediation and Arbitration.   He is the 100th president of the local bar association which was founded in 1903. The SMBA is the largest professional networking group in Southwest Missouri, serving more than 800 attorneys.  Brown follows 2025 President Matt Russell.

Facebook Photo Gallery

• 2025
• 2026

Sign up as a 2026 SMBA Sustaining Member.

The Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association (SMBA) held its annual Law Day Luncheon on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at Hickory Hills Country Club.

The theme for this year’s Law Day was “E Pluribus Unum – Out of Many, One.” The keynote address was delivered by Tony Simones, whose inspiring remarks reflected on history, unity, and civic responsibility.

Following the address, awards were presented in four categories: Distinguished Attorney, Judicial Excellence, Equal Access to Justice, and the Liberty Bell Award.

Curtis Garner received the Equal Access to Justice Award, which recognizes individuals who provide significant pro bono services to clients of Legal Services of Southern Missouri. Since 2012, Garner has accepted 224 cases, helping low-income residents across southern Missouri meet their legal needs.

Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams was honored with the Liberty Bell Award. This award is presented to a non-lawyer who has made outstanding contributions to the administration of justice. Williams was recognized for his high level of community engagement and his efforts to promote collaboration, efficiency, and respect for the legal system.

Judge Douglas Harpool received the Judicial Excellence Award. The SMBA’s Judicial Excellence Award honors judges who exemplify the highest legal and ethical standards and who serve the community both within and beyond the courtroom. In presenting the award, Judge Michael Cordonnier highlihted Harpool’s lifetime of public service, noting, “Judge Harpool’s service as a State Representative and his exemplary performance as a District Judge make him uniquely qualified for this award.”

Richard Schnake was presented with the Distinguished Attorney Award, the highest honor bestowed by the SMBA. In his nomination, Schnake was praised for his professional excellence, mentorship and contribution to the improvement in the administration of justice. “Neale & Newman is very proud of Rick for receiving the Distinguished Attorney Award,” said Managing Partner Daniel Wooten. “Rick has been recognized many times for his high achievement in appellate and intellectual property law, but I know that receiving this award is especially meaningful because it comes from the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association.”

This year’s theme, “E Pluribus Unum,” also inspired nearly 70 entries in the SMBA Law Day Poster Contest. An awards ceremony and exhibit opening to celebrate the young artists was held on October 17, 2025, at the Library Center.

Links

2025 Sponsors – Thank You!

2025 Law Day Program

Photo gallery - Poster Contest Ceremony

The project launch will reach 876 students in five area schools. Thank you to our sixteen volunteers:

Kaylee Comer

Debbie Dodge

Jim Robinette

Felicia Von Holten

Stephanie Stenger

Crista Hogan

Kristen O' Neal

Judge David Mercer

Abe McGull

Jarica Oeltjen

Emily Shook

Gabriela Lopez-Gardner

Henry Sivils

David Ransin

Courtney Schawo

Elizabeth Fax

We will be hosting a hospitality room in the Old Glory meeting room of the Hilton Promenade Hotel both Wednesday and Thursday nights after the regularly scheduled Annual Meeting events (usually starting around 9-10 each night). This is a very relaxed atmosphere complete with free beverages (alcoholic and non) and snacks and is a great opportunity to network in a social setting with attorneys from across Missouri.

On Thursday night, we will also be hosting a social event at Andy B’s Bowling on the Branson Landing (405 Branson Landing Blvd) from 8:00 to 10:00 PM. Five lanes have been reserved for anyone who desires to bowl for free, and drinks and appetizers will be available for free (until the YLS-sponsored tab runs out). This will be another friendly networking event with many attorneys attending.

With heavy hearts, we share that John passed away following his brave battle with cancer. His life, though far too brief, was defined by integrity, hard work, and love for his family, friends, and community. We invite you to join us in celebrating John’s life and legacy through a casual gathering with food, soft drinks, and laughter—just as John would have wanted. Please help us spread the word to anyone who knew and loved him. If you have any trouble RSVP’ing, please text Danny (314)225-7827.

Hosted by: THE HERRIES FAMILY

Date: Saturday, October 11

2:00PM – 4:00PM CDT

Address: The Commons

14885 Clayton Rd, Chesterfield MO 63017

July 1, 2025 – Little Free Library Field

Cue the music and crack the bats—it's time for the first-ever SMBA Home Run Derby! The stakes are high, the fences are short, and the walk-up songs are absolutely critical.

Rules:
Each batter gets 10 outs—not over the fence/wall counts as an out. Swing big or go home.

Round One – Let’s Do the Math

Five sluggers step up. One will go down - leaving four to fight it out head-to-head.

First up: Alec Martinez, repping Stare Decisis is for Suckers, strolls up to “Your Love” by The Outfield. First three pitches? Gone. He ends his round with five big bombs and some serious swagger.

Next: Cameron Beaver, captain of the DOJ Turkeys, cranks “Gonna Make You Sweat” and does exactly that. Six towering homers and one memorable shot off the wall. Respect.

Turkey teammate Casey Clark takes his turn to “Low Rider,” bringing the crowd to life with two High Tree specials—straight through the branches and over the fence—plus two more. Four total and style points for drama..

Ty Harden makes an entrance with “They Not Like Us.” While everyone checks their phones to see if they missed a headline he sneaks out two homers.

Brian Risley brings the boom (literally) with “Boom” by BOP. Four balls leave the yard with force and flair.

Round One Count

• Beaver – 6
• Martinez – 5
• Risley – 4
• Clark – 4
• Harden – 2

Ty Harden is eliminated but walks off with the 2025 Congeniality Award. He brought the fun, the friendship, and just the right amount of chaos. We salute him.

Round Two – Showdowns

• Beaver vs. Risley
• Martinez vs. Clark

The Turkeys are toast—Risley and Martinez advance to the final round.

Championship Round – Risley vs. Martinez

Risley keeps booming, adding a couple more to his total. But Martinez goes all in—one shot pings off the Commissioner’s truck, another lands in the poison ivy. Big hits. Big energy. Peak performance. May need new team name.

And the winner is...

Alec Martinez – 2025 SMBA Home Run Derby Champion!

Your Homerun Derby Playlist

Some of our homerunners couldn’t make it—jury trials, downed power lines and whatnot.  But we want you to have ALL the jams to relive the joy and glory of the entire season!

• Your Love – The Outfield (Alec Martinez)
• Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) – C+C Music Factory (Cameron Beaver)
• Low Rider – War (Casey Clark)
• They Not Like Us – Kendrick Lamar (Ty Harden)
• Boom – BOP (Brian Risley)
• Mr. Blue Sky – ELO (Doug Reynolds)
• September – Earth, Wind & Fire (Dylan Dunbar)
• Brick House – Commodores (Judge Kaiti Greenwade)
• What You Know – T.I. (Taylor White)

The final night of the season took place back at the storied “Little Free Library Field” behind Mother's Brewery—just as the West Central Neighborhood Potluck Picnic was getting underway on the adjoining grounds.  And like any great finale, it came with high stakes, bruised balls, battered egos and at least one outfielder dodging stray picnickers in deep right. 

Game 25 – Semifinal: Motion to Strike v. DOJ Turkeys

Top of the First - Bryan Wade stepped to the plate and opened the game with a surprisingly chill HOME RUN.

Bottom of the First - Pitching for Motion to Strike, Dylan Dunbar kept things quiet. No runs, and no major injuries.

Top of the Second - Captain Danielle Reid popped one to center, only to be denied by a slick Randy Eggert snag. Wade followed with a solid drive, but Casey Clark said “nope.” Still no runs.

Top of the Third- Jessica Johns and Lauren Haskins ripped a couple of line drives—both swallowed up by Christine Schlegl, who coolly fielded them while navigating around a picnicker with a crockpot.

Bottom of the Third - Cameron Beaver fired things up with a double. Reid attempted a slide but earned only dust and admiration. Clark followed with a double and RBI, putting the Turkeys on the board. Motion to Strike 1, Turkeys 1

Top of the Fourth - Laura Vales led with a triple. Reid doubled her home. Wade said “I can do that too” and drove in another. Two runs scored. Motion to Strike 3, Turkeys 1

Bottom of the Fourth - Clark continued his bid for MVTurkey with another RBI. Motion to Strike 3, Turkeys 2

Top of the Fifth - Lauren Haskins delivered a line drive to left—snagged by Clark. Dunbar followed with a beauty to right—caught by Eggert. Down to the wire.

Bottom of the Fifth - Hopes for a walk-off by the Turkeys were stuffed. Motion to Strike plucked victory from the DOJ team and closed out their season, feathered and finished.

Final Score: Motion to Strike 3, Turkeys 2

Batting Order

Motion to Strike
Danielle Reid, Bryan Wade, Abby Craigmyle, Jessica Johns, Lauren Haskins, Dylan Dunbar, Laura Vales

DOJ Turkeys

Hannah Lucas, Stephanie Wan, Christine Schlegl, Cameron Beaver, Casey Clark, Randy Eggert

Game 26 – Semifinal: McGlovens v. Let Freedom Swing

Top of the First - Jason Johnson on the mound. Nothing doing.

Bottom of the First - Joseph Reid pitching. Scoreless.

Top of the Second - Bryan Delleville on the mound.  Stray pitch hits the Commissioner of Wiffle Ball’s gear.  Second stray pitch hits the Commissioner.  Charges not filed as of press date.

Still no runs.

Bottom second and only five minutes into this incredibly fast game. Scott Pierson walks. Cole Robert cracks a big hit, subtly caught by Grant Walters. Delleville doubles. Still no runs

Top of the third - Reid pops one… snagged by Pierson

Bottom of third - Roberts hits again – looks like it might go over and…. Caught.  By Walters. Delleville joins the “caught by Walters” club. Johnson squeaks one under the sawhorse. Still.  No runs.

Top of the Fourth - Taylor White swaps bats and immediately triples. Walters follows up with a hit that sends Pierson sliding for the catch like he’s at confession. Any prayers for a score in this game remain unanswered. Still no runs.

Bottom fourth - Expectations waning, crowd listless and melting in the heat – Roberts with a wake up call – HOME RUN. Let Freedom Swing 1, McGlovens 0

Top of the Fifth - Reid hits a triple, Walters bats him in. White delivers a towering shot deep into the tree - everyone thinks it’s gone—until Roberts plucks it from oblivion.  Tied Game, 1-1

Bottom of the Fifth - Two outs, no one on. Roberts up. And just like that—HOMER #2. Let Freedom Swing walks off with the win and into the finals.

Final Score: Let Freedom Swing 2, McGlovens 1

Let Freedom Swing

Scott Pierson, Cole Roberts, Bryan Delleville, Jason Johnson

McGlovens

Joseph Reid, Grant Walters, Taylor White, James Jeffries

Game 27 - Championship

Let Freedom Swing v. Motion to Strike

Crushed balls, crushed dreams, and one very fortuitous awning.

As the sun dipped behind the Little Free Library Field and the scent of charred hot dogs drifted in from the Westside Neighborhood Potluck Picnic, two teams stood on the brink of wiffle immortality. One would leave as champions. The other... with a little trauma and a lot of grass stains.

Top of the First - Motion to Strike came out composed and ready. Dylan Dunbar took the mound and delivered a quick, clean inning—three up, three down. Calm. Efficient. All business.

Bottom of the First - Captain Danielle Reid led off with a pop fly straight into the sure hands of Freedom’s Captain Cole Roberts. Bryan Wade followed with a sharp hit—snagged by Scott Pierson, who barely broke a sweat. Abby Craigmyle kept hope alive with a single, but that was all Motion could manage. Still scoreless.

And then…

What happened next may go down as the most dramatic half-inning in SMBA Wiffle Ball history.

Jason Johnson kicked off the top of the second with a clean single.

Then came the chaos.

Lefty Scott Pierson with a swing so fierce the bat slipped through his grasp and launched skyward.  The crowd gasped then watched in stunned silence as the plastic rocket sailed seventy-five feet over the heads of the spectators and directly toward the unsuspecting Westside Neighborhood Potluck Picnic. 

HEADS UP!!!!!!!!!

And… relief.

The bat landed, miraculously, on the awning above the picnic pad.  No potato salad was harmed.  One spectator murmured, “I’m going to remember this for the rest of my life.”

Pierson didn’t score, but he lit a fuse and Let Freedom Swing was officially on fire.

Roberts stepped up and delivered a two-run homer, which, in any other game, would’ve been the headline.

Cue the rally:

• Bryan Delleville: single
• Johnson: double + RBI
• Pierson: hit-by-pitch that echoed
• Roberts: also plunked
• Delleville: single + RBI
• Johnson: single + RBI
• Roberts: base-clearing triple + 3 RBI

By the time the adrenaline wore off eight runs had scored, and Let Freedom Swing had essentially carved their names into the trophy.

Aftermath

The remaining innings were a mix of valiant defense and mercifully quiet bats. The scoreboard didn’t budge.

Final Score: Let Freedom Swing 8, Motion to Strike 0

Congratulations to the 2025 SMBA Wiffle Ball Champions Let Freedom Swing:
Scott Pierson, Cole Roberts, Bryan Delleville, Jason Johnson

And thats a wrap!

The 2025 SMBA Wiffle Ball season kicked off in mid-May with 155 hopeful lawyers, judges and summer associates donning team shirts and swinging plastic bats with surprising sincerity.  The league’s third year will be remembered fondly as the perfect mix of comedy and competition.  The 2025 season delivered everything we could’ve hoped for: dramatic comebacks, unexpected heroes, one airborne bat, and at least a dozen players who learned the hard way that wiffle sliding is a choice. Over seven weeks, sixteen teams battled it out through 27 games, proving that lawyers can hit bombs, catch pop flies and make new friends, more or less at the same time.  Huge thanks to our team captains and all the players who brought their best for a wildly entertaining season.

Until next year—keep your eye on the ball, your foot on the base, and your bat out of the potato salad.

June 17, 2025: Fast, Fun & Possibly in Violation of Local Noise Ordinances. 

Night six of the 2025 SMBA Wiffle Ball Season was extra special. Big thanks to the Chamber for letting us crash your Summer Soiree—nothing like a little wiffle chaos to spice up your charcuterie and Amy Winehouse cover band.

Game 21: BARbarians v Let Freedom Swing

So much hustle, we barely noticed the low scores, five-inning run drought and TWO extra innings.

Top of the 1st: Captain Kenny Beck pitched like he was trying to close a deal—tight,  efficient, and no runs allowed.

Bottom of the 1st: Jason Johnson also brought the heat. Bases loaded for Jacob Haskins, who delivered a shot straight into the sure hands of Cole Roberts. No runs. Gritty.

Top of the 2nd: Roberts said “enough of this” and knocked in the first run of the game.

Bottom of the 2nd: Summer Associate Ella Reicherd with a double, followed by a Beck single and Haskins getting beaned. Kyle Harmon took a stroll to first—RBI walk to tie it up.

From there, it was a 1–1 deadlock that lasted longer than jury instructions.

Highlights Reel:

3rd: Scott Pierson made a highlight-worthy grab that got actual applause.

4th: Delleville hit one over the fence.  Foul but Fantastic.

5th: Roberts again made a solid hit, only to be nabbed by the lightning-fast reflexes of Beck.

Bottom of the 5th, Harmon on base. Two outs. Reicherd up. Crowd tense. CRACK!—caught by Delleville. Extra innings, here we come.

Sixth Inning:  A HBP that parted Robert’s hair but spared the scalp—a league first.

Top of the 7th: Let Freedom puts the “extra” in extra innings. Delleville with a clutch triple into the tree, scoring two.  FINALLY – broke the deadlock. LFS 3, BARbarians 1.

Bottom of the 7th: The Reicherd duo with the rally—Randy with a double, Ella with a solid hit—but Pierson’s outfield hustle shut down the hit, hopes and game. 

• Final Score: Let Freedom Swing 3, BARbarians 1
• MVPs: Kenny Beck & Jason Johnson — because pitching wins championships (and low-scoring wiffle games).

Batting Order

BARbarians

• Ella Reichard
• Kenny Beck
• Austin Fax
• Kyle Harmon
• Randy Reichard
• Jacob Haskins

Let Freedom Swing

• Scott Pierson
• Cole Roberts
• Bryan Delleville
• Jason Johnson

Game 22: McGlovens v Appealables

Judgment Day for the Appealables

Top 1st: Judge Fuhrman pitching like he's trying to uphold precedent. Taylor White = triple. Colin Elliot = double and RBI.  McGloven’s take an early lead.

Bottom 1st: Judge Taylor walks on a HBP. Judge Poppen swings with conviction—only for Reid to snag it like he briefed the case.

Top 2nd: Summer Associate Grant Walters shows why he's summering here with a double.

Bottom 2nd: Judge Palmietto gets on base with a clean single.

Top 3rd: White sends one into orbit—only for Judge Christensen to transcend gravity and catch it. Gasps and smattering of applause. 

Bottom 3^rd, Top 4th: Quiet. Everyone was still recovering from that Christensen catch.

Bottom 4th: Judge Carrier smacks one right at White. Diving catch at expense of at least one shoulder. Icepacks and commendation recommended.

5th Inning: Time to finish it. Reid delivers a triple + RBI. White adds another. McGlovens pad the lead. Appealables can’t close the gap.   Sorry to see you go, judges.  See you (and your matching t-shirts) next season.

• Final Score: McGlovens 3, Appealables 1
• MVPs: Judge Fuhrman & Joseph Reid

Special Shoutout: T.W., age 6— best ball retriever and brilliant smile.

Batting Order

McGlovens

• Joseph Reid
• Grant Walters
• Taylor White
• Collin Elliot

Appealables

• Josh Christensen
• Nathan Taylor
• Kirsten Poppen
• Kaiti Greenwade
• Margaret Palmietto
• Ron Carrier
• John Lukachick
• Jerry Harmison
• Phil Fuhrman

Game 23: Motion to Strike v Lacks Appeal

Motion to Strike gives new meaning to Points Relied On!

Top 1st: Mike Risberg pitching. Bryan Wade cracks a double, followed by a walk (Abby Craigmyle) and HBP (Jessica Johns). Dylan Dunbar drops a clean RBI single. Charity Elmer pops one up—Blake Shier catches it like he meant to.

Bottom 1st: Shier returns fire with a double. Captain Danielle Reid attempts a heroic catch. Knees are sacrificed. Leadership.

Top 2nd: Reid and Wade with singles, this time at the expense of Judge Hamner’s knees.  Bases loaded, no outs. Jessica Johns with a pop, and caught out by Hannah Jackson. All eyes on Dunbar as he steps up to the plate and SMASHES  a triple into the chain link fence so hard it broke into song. Cleared the bases, 3 RBI. Crowd swooned.

Bottom 2nd: Hamner and Shier doubles trouble.  Lacks chalks a run.

Top 3rd: Reid, Wade, and Craigmyle string hits. Johns walks in a run. Hamner responds with two stone cold catches.

Bottom 3rd: Judge Becky West makes her season debut with a respectable single.

Fourth Inning – Scorching (sun) Scoreless (yeah)

Top 5th: Shier at the mound shows off his five-tool status with two flyout saves.

Craigmyle smashes a foul ball into the playground. No one injured.

Bottom 5th: Allison Garrett gets on base with her signature crossbody bag and signature impossible-to-catch single.  Alas, this case was styled for Motion.  Lacks Appeal- we salute you (and find you quite appealing).   Come back next year, possibly with a new name.

• Final Score: Motion to Strike 7, Lacks Appeal 1
• MVPs: Dylan Dunbar & Judge Hamner

Batting Order

Motion to Strike

• Danielle Reid
• Bryan Wade
• Abby Craigmyle
• Jessica Johns
• Lauran Haskins
• Dylan Dunbar
• Charity Elmer

Lacks Appeal

• Blake Shier
• Allison Garrett
• Hannah Jackson
• Mike Risberg
• Matt Hamner
• Becky West

Game 24: Prior and Persistents v DOJ Turkeys

Wherein the Turkeys do the slaughtering.

Top 1st: Blink and you missed it. A shutout so quick it needed a slow-mo replay.

Bottom 1st: Hannah Lucas, Christine Schlegl and Stephanie Wan (HBP) load the bases. Casey Clark sets the tone for this match with a base clearing triple. Randy Eggert follows with an RBI. Wan gets beaned AGAIN. Beaver walks in a run. Clark gets another via HBP. Run tally: 6. Momentum: Turkeys.

Top 2nd: P&P’s Huffman with a nice hit—snatched midair by Beaver. Mercy. Otherwise another super-fast half-inning,

Bottom 2nd: Lucas and Schlegl leading off again with a double and single. Beaver cleaning up this time with a triple, 2RBI.  Clark on base with hbp and Eggert brings them home with a triple 2RBI. Turkeys widen their lead 10-0

Third inning – Crazy fast, a few hits, a lot of outs and zero runs.

Top 4th: P&P taking this battle to the mat. Kristin Jones with a double then Brian Risley with a chain-link clearing TWO-RUN HOMER that made the fence feel inadequate. Stacie Bilyeu with a beauty of a hit, caught by Clark. Score: 10–2.

Bottom 4th: In which the Turkeys come home to roast.

Eggert triple. Wan gets beaned (again again). Schlegl brings them home with a triple. Beaver triple and another RBI, all building up to Clark dropping a bomb of a TWO-RUN HOMER. Back to the beginning of the batting order -  Lucas, Wan and Schlegl load the bases – Beaver and Clark bring them home.  In case you’ve lost count, that’s eight more runs.  Our math is correct. Our recap is … correct enough. Run rule invoked.

Top 5th: P&P loads the bases—Risley, Bilyeu, Huffman.  The sun was setting.  The band went home.  They persisted to the end.  The DOJs Turkeys head to the semis (think finals not processing plant)

• Final Score: DOJ Turkeys 18, Prior and Persistents 2
• MVPs: Kristin Jones & Casey Clark

Batting Order

Prior and Persistents

• Brady Musgrave
• Kristin Jones
• Brian Risley
• Stacie Bilyeu
• Stuart Huffman

DOJ Turkeys

• Hannah Lucas
• Stephanie Wan
• Christine Schlegl
• Cameron Beaver
• Casey Clark
• Randy Eggert

Let’s just say June 17 was one for the books: walk-offs, fence-clearing homers, at least three sacrificed knees, and the first ever hair-grazing HBP.  Come out June 24 for the semis and championship games —bring ice packs and maybe a helmet.

June 24 Game Times:

• 5:30 Motion to Strike v. DOJ Turkeys
• 6:15 Let Freedom Swing v McGlovens
• 7:00 Championship Game

2025 SEASON HOME RUN CLUB