May 20, 2026

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.

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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

There is no charge to participate, but when you select your photo for the composite you will view your proofs and can purchase photos if you wish to do so.

Schedule your appointment by calling 512-266-8921 or online at www.goJRussell.com.  Just click “schedule appointment” and follow the instructions. If you do not schedule an appointment JRussell will follow up with a reminder.

JRussell is the nation’s leading executive portrait studio. They produced our two previous composites and are great to work with. They recommend professional attire in dark and/or bold colors for lawyers and judges are usually photographed in their robes.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

The fifth night of 2025 SMBA Wiffle Ball featured scorching heat, dazed and confused summer associates, fans wielding signs a new field locale in Mother’s Brewery Back Yard. 

Game 17: Prior and Persistents v. Court Jesters

“A homer, a sawhorse injury, and three bean balls walk into a brewery…”

It was the first night on the brand-new field behind Mother’s Brewery, and Prior and Persistents and Court Jesters came ready to christen it — with hits, hustle, and some league firsts.

Top of the 1st: P&P opened strong: Musgrave opened with a hit, Jones got plunked (the first of many), and Huffman made it rain with a 2-RBI triple. Boom. 2–0.

Bottom of the 1st:  Cantwell up to bat for the Jesters, HBP.  Hodges and Olive lobbed solid hits but Huffman and Risley were hustling in the outfield – no runs scored.

Top of the 2nd: Here’s where it gets dramatic. Huffman tripled. Musgrave tripled. Risley RBI’d. Then Huffman launched the new field’s  first homer to the deep outfield. Fireworks may or may not have gone off. P&P tacked on four more.

Bottom of the 2nd: Pause for sawhorse maintenance (yes, this is a real sentence). Then Peebles tripled. Cantwell took another pitch to the body. Preston popped one… caught. Jesters: all promise, no points.

Top of the 3rd: The Jesters were done clowning around. Jones took a base but never made it home. Commendable hits by Risley and Huffman – both shut down by Peebles No runs scored by P & P.

Bottom of the 3rd: Hodges tripled into shrubbery, Peebles and Cantwell doubled in runs. Cantwell was hit again (third time!) Four runs scored.  Ladies and gentleman – we have a game      

Top of the fourth Decent hits by P & P + exceptional fielding by the Jesters = no runs scored. 

Bottom of the fourth: Preston triple into deep center.  Olive on base and Hodges with the RBI. Preston took a hit by pitch, loading the bases, but alas, stranded.  Jesters add one run to their tally, tightening the gap.  P & P – 6, Jesters 5.

Final inning: Musgrave and Risley with P&P insurance runs. The Jesters pushed back with doubles, hustle and DoorDash deliveries — but couldn’t close the gap.

• Final Score: Prior and Persistents 8, Court Jesters 6
• MVPs: Stuart “Slugger” Huffman & Brett “Shrubbery Slammer” Hodges

Prior and Persistents

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

Court Jesters

• Justin Cantwell
• Brett Hodges
• Jay Preston
• David OIive
• Andy Peebles

Game 18: Vicarious Trauma v. Motion to Strike

“Five innings. Four hours. One league-mandated tape measure.”

This one had everything: scorching sun, grass-stained t-shirts, a field reconfiguration, and a rulebook reading mid-game. But also, very few runs.

Top of the First: Motion to Strike opened with a bang (and a bonk): Brian Wade smashed a line drive into the tree, only for gravity — and Adam Woody — to intervene in spectacular, Plinko-esque fashion. Jessica Johns followed up with a perfectly arched pop fly… also vacuumed up by Woody, who seemed to be everywhere and possibly wearing magnets.

Bottom of the First: Vicarious Trauma responded like any seasoned criminal defense team would. They came back swining. Ty Harden casually knocked in two RBIs, possibly while chanting Miranda rights.

Second Inning: Haskins delivered a tidy single for Motion to Strike, while Jessica Johns earned a highlight reel catch on defense — a full-body, grass-stained lunge to snatch a Russ Dempsey hit. Style points were provided. Dry cleaning was not.

Third Inning: Haskins once again fired off one of her signature “impossible-to-field” singles. Meanwhile SMBA President Matt Russell took a below the belt hit by pitch.  Not Vicarious. Definitely traumatic.

Cue a Commissioner Timeout.  Pitching distance too close for comfort, literally. Tape measure invoked.  Batting backdrop moved. Back to play.

Top of the Fourth: Team Captain Danielle Reid fired a double impossibly under and through the sawhorse. Johns added a double and RBI, and Abby Craigmyle tacked on another. Motion granted. Tied game 2-2.

Bottom of the Fourth: Ben Stringer took a hit by pitch like the champ he is. Sadly his teammates left him hanging like a case under advisement.

Top of the Fifth: With the score locked and fans aging visibly, Johns and Dylan Dunbar took first base the hard way — by getting beaned. Reid, undeterred and probably fueled by ibuprofen, knocked a double that brought in the go-ahead run. Motion to Strike led, 3–2.

Bottom of the Fifth: Summer associate and Motion pitcher Dunbar played 4D chess and walked Stringer to open. Dempsey on base with a single despite Reid’s daring and apparently painful attempt to catch “that hurt”.  Next up Woody and this catch and out by Reid.  Painful poetic justice. Russell up- runners of 1st and 2nd with two outs.  Mercifully, he’s out and so are we. 

• Final Score: Motion to Strike 3, Vicarious Trauma 2
• MVPs: Ty Harden & Dylan Dunbar

Vicarious Trauma

• Ty Harden
• Adam Woody
• Matt Russell
• Ben Stringer
• Russ Dempsey

Motion to Strike

• Danielle Reid
• Bryan Wade
• Jessica Johns
• Lauren Haskins
• Dylan Dunbar
• Abby Craigmyle

Game 19: Ballers v. Lacks Appeal

"One Fan Sign, Five Summer Associates, 18 runs and Boundless Enthusiasm"

The third game of the night was between the Husch Blackwell “Ballers” and the Southern District’s “Lacks Appeal.”  Judge Hamner and the clerks of the Southern District brought the hits and a fan with a sign reading “Guilty of being the best wiffle ball team ever.” Husch brought two associates and five summer hires who were pretty confused as to why they were there.

Slow start with no runs in the first inning.

Top of the second Lacks Appeal at bat and bases loaded – Allison Garrett came through with an RBI single, then Kyle Skopec with another.  Two runs scored

Bottom of the second, Baller summer associates got into the groove with Parker Westhoff (triple) Maverick Lewis (single) and Claire Carlson (triple RBI) – turning up the heat as the sun went down. Three runs scored.

Top of the third. Lacks Appeal launched a coordinated assault…on the sawhorse, first Blake Shier with a double then Judge Hamner with a single.  Garrett loaded the bases with a single setting the stage for some excitement. Thwack – Skopec bats a clean-up triple 3RBI. Shier and Hamner tally RBIs and the inning ends with Garrett popping a fly capably caught by Baller Summer Associate Claire Carlson.  The bottom of the third was uneventful and the inning ends with Lacks Appeal taking a decisive lead 7-3.

Top of the fourth. Some league firsts.  Bases loaded and Shier at bat – scores with a bean ball RBI.  Next at bat Hamner with a hit by pitch RBI.  Not the most appealing way to score, but three more runs on the board and the lead becoming a canyon 10-3.

Top of the fifth: Déjà vu!  Shier takes ANOTHER bean ball RBI followed by Hamner with an RBI via walk. Garrett slices a double that rolls Baller summer associate Maverick Lewis like a tumbleweed in his impressive, albeit failed, attempt to catch.  Game paused to collect and refill the bucket of balls. By the time the inning ended with a Skopec pop caught by summer associate Stephen Tate, Lacks Appeal racked four more runs. 

Bottom of the fifth: A Baller was overheard to ask a teammate what the score was.  “We only need twelve runs to win.”  Exhibiting the kind of tenacity every team needs, the Ballers never gave up.  Jake Addington with a commanding triple, Stewart with a single.  They added one run and walked off remarkably cheerful, slightly dazed and still confused.

• Final Score – Vicarious Trauma 14, Ballers 4
• MVPs: Maverick Lewis and Blake Shier

Ballers

• Anna Stewart
• Stephen Tate
• Claire Carlson
• Jake Addington
• Ethan Schroeder
• Parker Westhoff
• Maverick Lewis

Lacks Appeal

• Mike Risberg
• Allison Garrett
• Kyle Skopec
• Hannah Jackson
• Blake Shier
• Matt Hamner
  

Game 20: DOJ Turkeys v Defenders

“Thanksgiving came early. And the Turkeys brought pies and triples.”

Another slow start with no runs scored in the first inning and a half, but Turkey Casey Clark made his first appearance of the season and he was strutting his stuffing both at bat and on the field.

Bottom of the second. Defenders at bat with notable hits by Luke Dainty (double) Scott Skocy (triple, RBI) and honorable mention to a smash by Sara Meier, deftly caught by Turkey Captain Cameron Beaver

The top of the third came on like a truck load of, well, turkeys.  Clark leading off with a triple setting the stage for Beaver and a majestic three run homer over the chain link fence and out of the park.  Clark followed, finding the hidden ball shrine in the vines, pausing the game for an easter-egg Esque search. Turkeys trot in three runs scored.

Bottom of the third. The Defenders did what they do best – they fought back. Blake Buchard with a single and Jeff Woods with a Triple and an RBI. Still anyone’s game. Turkeys 3, Defenders 2

4th Inning. More of the same, plus someone googled “What is a sawhorse?”

Top of the fifth. Hannah Lucas clocked a hit. Randy Eggert got robbed twice by Skocy with ESPN-worthy catches. Clark tripled again. Beaver tripled again.  Blah Blah Blah, Etc. Etc.

Bottom of the fifth. Defender Darlene Villalobos hit her best ever — straight to Clark. Dainty doubled, but the comeback was not to be. Defenders, you were fun to watch.  See you next season.

• Final Score: DOJ Turkeys 6, Defenders 2
• MVPs: Casey Clark & Luke Dainty

DOJ Turkeys

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

Defenders

• Blake Burchard
• Darlene Villalobos
• Jeff Wood
• Luke Dainty
• Sara Meier
• Scott Skocy
• Matt Campbell
• Daniel Newell

2025 Homerun Count

Game 1

Cameron Beaver (Grand Slam)

Game 5 (unofficial “just for fun”game due to forfeit, but homeruns still count)

Judge Kaiti Greenwade

Brady Musgrave

Game 6

Doug Reynolds (2)

Alec Martinez (2)

Taylor White

Collin Elliott

Game 7

Judge Kaiti Greenwade (Grand Slam)

Game 8

David Olive

Game 9

Ty Harden

Game 15

Taylor White

Game 17

Stuart Huffman

Game 20

Cameron Beaver

The matchups for night four of the 2025 season were the winners of their first games – so win or lose, we will see these teams again in our modified double elimination framework.

Game 13 DOJ Turkeys v BARbarians

Brief, Blustery, and Beck’d Up

A humid haze settled over the field as the DOJ Turkeys gobbled up an early lead with a first-inning RBI from Captain Cameron Beaver. The score held like a sealed indictment until the third, when another Turkey run ruffled feathers.

The BARbarians stirred with a Randy Reichert triple, and then—in a plot twist no one saw coming (mostly because of wind and poor visibility)—they reversed the game in the fourth with two surprise runs.

The Turkeys couldn’t peck out any more points, and in the bottom of the fifth, Captain Beck strutted in with a dramatic walk-off triple. Game. Set. Verdict delivered.

• Final Score: BARbarians 3, Turkeys 2
• MVPs: Cameron Beaver & Kenny Beck – for leading their flocks fearlessly.

DOJ Turkeys

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

BARbarians

• Ella Reichard
• Jared Aldrich
• Kenny Beck
• Randy Reichard
• Colby Hall

Game 14: Let Freedom Swing v. Defenders

“You Have the Right to Remain Scoreless”

Game 14 was a battle between two teams that in their natural habitat are on the same side – the (public) Defenders v. Twibell Pierson’s Let Freedom Swing

Scott Pierson led off for LFS with a triple, followed by a single from Jason Johnson, but the Defenders locked it down when Scott Skocy dove for a  breathtaking (literal) catch.

The second and third innings racked up lots of stranded runners and zero runs scored.

Then, in the bottom of the fourth, LFS busted out with a Johnson RBI triple and a 3-RBI bomb by Cole Roberts. It was magical. It was majestic. It was mercifully decisive. The inning finally shut down with a transcendent run around the sawhorse catch by Skocy.

• Final Score: Let Freedom Swing 4, Public Defenders 0
• MVPs: Quentin Michel and Cole Roberts

Defenders

• Scott Skocy
• Darlene Villalobos
• Luke Dainty
• Sara Meier
• Quentin Michel
• Blake Burchard
• Matt Campbell

Let Freedom Swing

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

Game 15: McGlovens v. Prior and Persistents

The Court of Ruthless Efficiency

In game 15 reigning Champs McGlovens lost the coin toss (spoiler – that was all the losing they were going to tolerate for the evening.) Team Captain Taylor White set the tone cracking a triple in the first pitch of the game.  Teammates Joseph Reid and rookie/ summer associate Grant Walters tallied their own RBIs churning out triples. The first inning was a McGloven hit parade that tallied five runs, despite P&Ps valiant attempts at fielding, most notably a Superman dive by Brian Risley, In the bottom of the first, P&P Kristen Jones got on base but that was the end of the action.  The half inning shut down with five runs scored and reigning champs McGlovens showing more Glove than Loven and a score of 5-0.

The top of the second had the scorekeeper scrambling for a calculator and inhaler. White tallied a 2-run homer, Reid tripled and Walter got at least one run - the hits came so fast the hitters were a blur.  The McGlovens scored five more runs and the inning ended with a score gap of 10-0.

Third inning: in a reminder of what they are made of (and that their name incudes the word “persistent” P&P player Stacie Bilyeu reminded her team and anyone else listening “hey we didn’t let them score in that inning.” 

Buoyed by Bilyeu’s pep talk, P&P team captain Stuart Huffman heroically put his team on the board with a fourth-inning RBI triple. It was a Disney movie underdog moment – without the Disney ending.

The McGlovens retaliated in the top of the fifth with TEN more runs and would probably still be out there pummeling wiffle balls had the mercy rule not been invoked.  

Bottom of the fifth and in their final at bat P&P, refused to concede even with a 20 point gap.  They loaded the bases but alas, failed to score.  Prior and Persistent we salute you.  You demonstrated that brand of persistence that defines the profession of law. “Even when we don’t win, we always persist .”

• Final Scorch: McGlovens 21, Prior & Persistents 1
• MVPs: Reid (relentless) & Risley (resilient)

Batting order

Prior and Persistents 

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

McGlovens 

• Joseph Reid 
• Taylor White 
• Grant Walters 

Game 16: Appealables v. Court Jesters

In Re: Little Free Library

Game 16 was an action-packed production with high scores, attempted appealables to the the umpire, and the judges of the 31^st debuting new t-shirts sporting their division numbers on the back.  Adding to the excitement was the awkwardly timed deconstruction and relocation of the little free library in right field.

Top of the first and top of the batting order, Appealables Judge Jerry Harmison presided over a single. Judge Nathan Taylor followed with a double and

Judge Kaiti Greenwade knocks them in with a triple.  By end of half inning the Appealables are on the board with three runs scored.

Bottom of the first with Judge Phil Fuhrman pitching. Jester Jay Preston started things out with a triple.  A record number of hits by pitch loaded the bases then Preston with the message “we aren’t clowning,” another triple, this time with 3 RBI. Five runs for the Jesters before the Appealables closed court and the little free library removed from its post.

Top of the second. Commissioner John Lukachik with single quickly punctuated by a Triple and an RBI by Judge Josh Christensen. Team Captain Judge Ron Carrier managed a solid pop, foiled with a clean catch by Jester Andy Peebles. Harmison scored an RBI followed by Taylor with a crazy hard hit to right field crazily caught by Preston.  Who knew a wiffle ball could scorch.

Bottom of the second. Jesters Nadia Molloy started the batting order with a fascinating and impossible to stop line drive right into the sawhorse. Justin Cantwell followed with a solid hit on the line to left, overruled when snagged by Lukachick.  Preston with an RBI then Jesters’ Captain David Olive with a powerhouse hit to far center field, breathtakingly caught by Greenwade.  Just in time, maintenance relocated to far center field with post hole digger, foreshadowing answers to the question “what will become of the little free library.”

Top of the third. Oral argument by the appealables when a Greenwade hit/ out was declared a “questionable call” - questioned only by her honorable teammates.  Judge Margaret Palmietto got in the game with a single followed by Lukachick and a double, Christensen brought them home, 2 RBI. Captain Carrier followed with an RBI. Harmison hit to respondent Olive with a gymnastic diving shoulder roll catch.  Appealables in the lead with three more runs scored.

Bottom of the third. Molloy with a double, a Cantwell pop caught by Lukachik, Preston hit with a slow roll catch and out by pitcher Furhrman. No runs scored but some pretty exciting gameplay

Top of the fourth starring the lady Appealables. Judge Kirsten Poppen made her mark on the game with a single. Greenwade hit her stride with a triple and RBI that seemed to sing “this is how we do it.” And Palmietto gets on base with a hit by pitch single.  For all those many players enduring hit by pitch this season – we appreciate your sacrifice.

Bottom of the fourth. Peebles on first with hit by pitch to shoulder followed by Molloy with one of those sneaky singles. Cantwell with a hit by pitch to ankle.  Preston tried for one of his signature triples but beautiful pop was caught by Christensen.  Bases loaded. Olive single RBI. Bases still loaded.  Peebles pop in orbit, posthole digging paused, EVERYONE looking up.  Where is it and will Taylor catch it? Yes! Inning ends with Jesters gaining a little ground and post for little free library installed in center field.  Appealables 9 to Jesters 7 going into the final inning,  Fans began to buzz – by the end of this game who will win and will the little free library be restored

Top of the fifth. Appealables in their grove, or as groovy as a team of judges can be. Christensen snagged a single. Carrier suffered a hit by pitch to his leg. Poppen miraculously hit a single – miraculous because she wasn’t even facing the pitcher. Taylor picked up the pace, decimating a three-run triple into right field wall right where the little free library used to be.  Was this intentional? A message? An Omen?  Fuhrman followed with a double and RBI and the Appealables finished with four more runs in an inning so exciting the little free library carpenter stopped working to either watch or to let the cement dry.

The bottom of the fifth. Twilight crept in, darkening the field and the Jesters’ hope. No runs scored.  The fate of this game is in the books, but as to the little free library – you will have to check back next week.

• Final Score: Appealables 13, Court Jesters 7
• MVPs: Judge Phil Fuhrman and Jay Preston

Batting Order

Appealables

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

Court Jesters

• Justin Cantwell
• Jay Preston
• David Olive
• Andy Peebles
• Nadia Molloy

2025 Homerun Count

Game 1

• Cameron Beaver (Grand Slam)

Game 5 (unofficial “just for fun”game due to forfeit, but homeruns still count)

• Judge Kaiti Greenwade
• Brady Musgrave

Game 6

• Doug Reynolds (2)
• Alec Martinez (2)
• Taylor White
• Collin Elliott

Game 7

• Judge Kaiti Greenwade (Grand Slam)

Game 8

• David Olive

Game 9

• Ty Harden

Game 15

• Taylor White

Games 9, 10, 11, 12

The third night of play was supposed to take place Tuesday May 27.  Clad in chest waders and unhappiness the commissioner “no continuous will be granted” met game nine teams Dragon Slayers and Vicarious Trauma on a flooded field and finally called the games for the evening. Stubborn much?  

Game Nine – Dragon Slayers v. Vicarious Trauma

Back at it the following evening the Dragon Slayers won the toss and took the field with Patterson pitching.  The first few plays were a walkathon – including the first bean ball walk of the season going to Ty Harden.  Idle threats to charge the mound resuscitated the team and things got more interesting when Vicarious Trauma recruit Ben Stringer clocked a two RBI triple.  Vicarious Trauma was on a roll – sort of – with impressive hitting, but thanks to the even more impressive fielding by Dragon Slayer Kaitlin Frazier no more runs were scored in the top of the first. If game nine had a theme it was “Stop Hitting To Frazier” The half inning closed with a solid hit by Stringer intercepted by a stop drop and catch by Patterson.

Harden took the mound for Vicarious Trauma and hit Patterson with his inaugural pitch.  Payback as a form of justice?   No runs scored.

The top of the second started off with a “controversial call” when Vicarious Trauma player and SMBA President Matt Russell hit a triple into the beer cups adoring the chain link fence.  Fair play or executive privilege run amok?  Ultimately irrelevant.  It was the only excitement in a no run inning. 

After a slight pause to accommodate a child perusing the little free library in right field, the third inning got off to an exciting start when Harden hit a triple so hard-en  even Frazier couldn’t stop it.  Later in the inning, fourth in the batting order, Ben Stringer found all his teammates on base and all eyes on the batter – and SMASHED a bases clearing triple. Vicarious Trauma scored four before the top of the third shut down with a double flip ninja catch by Patterson.

Bottom of the third and top of the fourth.  Not interesting.

Bottom of the fourth – starring Kaylee Comer and an RBI with supporting roles from teammates Patterson, Frazier and Josh Harrell, who all managed to get on base.

In the top of the fifth, Harden slugged the first home run of the evening.  Teammate Adam Woody rocked the ball but, sad for him, to the melancholy tune of “stop hitting to Frazier.”

The Undaunted Dragon Slayers faced a six-run deficit going into their final at bat – bottom of the fifth.  Frazier got on base despite Hardens head over heels rolling catch- attempt.  Patterson knocked off an almost- triple, caught then recaught by Woody.  Those juggling lessons eventually pay off.  The lady slayers did their part, with a triple by Frazier and a double by Comer, managing two more runs. But alas, too little, too late.

• Final Score – Vicarious Trauma 7, Dragon Slayers 3
• MVPs – Ty Harden and Kaitlyn Frazier

Batting Order

Dragon Slayers

• Dan Patterson
• Katelynn Frazier
• Kaylee Comer
• Joshua Harrel

Vicarious Trauma

• Matt Russell
• Ty Harden
• Adam Woody
• Ben Stringer

Game Ten – Motion to Strike v Pour but Lawful

Leave your suits and ties at home, game ten was all about team t-shirts when both sides showed up in coordinating screen prints.

Pour but Lawful won the coin toss and took the field with Clayton Ballard taking the mound. Motion to Strike Captain Danielle Reid wasted no time setting the tone, cracking a triple in the first at bat of the game. Bryan Wade with a triple and the first run of the game.  And the only run of the inning.

Bottom of the 1st: Nothing. Not so much as and objection over ruled. 

Top of the second: Reid, living rent-free in the outfield's nightmares, another triple, Wade drew a walk, and summer associate Dylan Dunbar took a hit-by-pitch like a future hire.  One run scored.

Bottom of the second: In the sweetest single of the night, Alli Greenwade earned a base and a high five from her son. Teammate Rina Edge followed with a fantastic pop fly – fantastically caught by Dunbar. No runs scored.

Top of the 3rd:

Reid, Wade, and Jessica Johns came out swinging — three doubles, two RBI, and a whole lot of swagger.

Bottom of the 3rd: Nothing to see here.

Top of the 4th: Reid smacked another double. Someone knocked her in. The scorekeeper was distracted.

Bottom of the Fourth: Still nothing.

Top of the 5th: Wade hit another double, Dunbar singled one straight into the chest of the pitcher who we hope is a CoxHealth patient. Johns followed with a single. No runs scored.

Bottom of the 5th: Greenwade hit a beautiful pop-up, beautifully caught by Ballard. But teammate Amanda Pearl wasn’t done yet, delivering an uncatchable single that whispered “hope” as it rolled to a stop mere feet from the batter.

• Final Score Motion to Strike 5, Pour but Lawful 0
• MVPs:  Dylan Dunbar and Alli Greenwade

Batting Order

Motion to Strike

• Danielle Reid
• Bryan Wade
• Lauren Haskins
• Dylan Dunbar
• Jessica Johns

Pour but Lawful

• Rina Edge
• Clayton Ballard
• Jill Patterson
• Knial Piper
• Alli Greenwade
• Amanda Pearl

Game Eleven – Ballers v. Stare Decisis

• Ballers win by Forfeit

Game Twelve: Lacks Appeal v Bad News Barristers

The Barristers came out swinging Barrister rookie and summer associate Kaitlin Knetzke opened with a no-doubt triple, and second year summer associate Carson Fink punctuated with a single. Bases were loaded with hope... until three swift outs slammed the brief shut. No runs scored, but the associates were on board — at least metaphorically.

Bottom of the 1st: Lacks Appeal Blake Shier launched a certified zinger, only to have Knetzke say “Not in my court” with a clutch catch. No runs, but excitement was building for a well matched game.

Top of the 2nd: Nate Dunville popped one into the grasp of Pitcher, Team Captain and Judge Matt Hamner, who plucked the catch with the calm of someone who's ruled a time or two. Knetzke lobbed her second triple of the day, but the Barristers once again stranded the argument — and the runners.

Bottom of the 2nd: Five tool player Hamner helped his own cause with a triple, and Allison Garrett followed with a single that brought in the game's first run. Shier did his best to add to the board but Barristers summer associate Josie Fleishmann snagged it like a brief you could write in your sleep.

Top of the 3rd: Dunville took a pitch for the team, Hamner fielded like a man on a mission, and Knetzke delivered again — a triple with an RBI putting the Barristers on the board.

Bottom of the 3rd and top of the 4th, A big ol’ blank. Nothing to write about. Like a redacted document.

Bottom of the 4th:  Oops. While the scorekeeper was grabbing a Kombucha two runs crossed the plate for Lacks Appeal. The inning shut down when Hamner sent a hit to the fingertips of Fink in a captivating grab that appealed to everyone but the opposing team.

Top of the 5th: Fleishmann appealed with a triple, but it wasn’t enough to swing the decision. Rumor has it that the Barristers have the associates working on a motion to forget this game ever happened.  

Quote of the Game: "The scorekeeper disappeared, and so did our lead." – A Barrister, off the record.

• Final Score: Lacks Appeal 4, Bad News Barristers – 1
• MVPs: Kaitlin Knetzke and Allison Garrett

Batting Order

Lacks Appeal

• Allison Garrett
• Blake Shier
• Kyle Skopec
• Adam Li
• Mike Risberg
• Matt Hamner

Bad News Barristers

• Lilly Sweeney
• Alden Smith
• Kaitlin Knetzke
• Carson Fink
• Josie Fleishmann
• Nate Dunville

2025 Homerun Count

Game 1

• Cameron Beaver (Grand Slam)

Game 5 (unofficial “just for fun”game due to forfeit, but homeruns still count)

• Judge Kaiti Greenwade
• Brady Musgrave

Game 6

• Doug Reynolds (2)
• Alec Martinez (2)
• Taylor White
• Collin Elliott

Game 7

• Judge Kaiti Greenwade (Grand Slam)

Game 8

• David Olive

Game 9

• Ty Harden

Game Five -  Prior and Persistents (Criminal Defense Cohort) v Ballers (Husch)

Game Six -  McGlovens (Kutak) v Stare Decisis (Spencer Fane)

Game Seven -   Appealables (31st Circuit Judges) Lacks Appeal (Court of Appeals)

Game Eight -  Court Jesters (Carnahan) v Bad News Barristers (Neale Newman)

Game Five: Prior and Persistents (Criminal Defense Cohort) v Ballers (Husch)

Prior and Persistents win by Forfeit

Game Six:  McGlovens (Kutak) v Stare Decisis (Spencer Fane)

The evening’s first official match was more exciting than courtroom drama, featuring high scores, home runs and rookies making a name for themselves.  Stare Decisis was first at bat with new associate Doug Reynolds launching the very first pitch outta the park and into the parking lot. Henry Sivils followed with a triple, and Alec Martinez brought the gavel down with a home run. Stare had the McGlovens seeing stars, racking three runs against the defending champs.

The McGlovens, come-back kids from the 2024 season, retaliated with two runs, proving they hadn’t lost their championship form.

In the second inning, Sivils and Martinez padded Stare’s score with two more runs. McGloven rookie Collin Elliott responded with a solo run of his own, subtlety setting the tone for what was to come (spoiler: a lot of him).

Then came the third inning—also known as The Great Reversal. Stare, perhaps true to their name, stared blankly at the field, scoring zero. Meanwhile, the McGlovens apparently found their loophole-in-physics.  James Jeffries kicked things off with a 2-RBI double, Elliott knocked in another run, and team captain Taylor White launched a towering homer adding two more. With nine runs on the board the mercy rule was in draft form but mercifully did not have to be invoked.

Stare rallied in the fourth, with Reynolds smacking a triple, followed by RBIs from Sivils, Ben Shantz, and Martinez. Teamwork made the dream work, if only briefly. In the bottom of the fourth, Taylor White took it out on the tree with another triple followed by Elliott racking up four RBIs and a home run like they were billable hours. The McGlovens added seven more runs before pitcher Shantz channeled his inner Spider-Man and ended the chaos with two acrobatic pop fly catches.

Final inning. Stare went down swinging—literally. Reynolds launched another homer (with bonus bat flip), Sivils added two runs, and Martinez chipped in one more. Four runs total. A valiant effort and a fantastic game all around.

Final Score: McGlovens 19 – Stare Decisis 14

Game MVPs: Collin Elliott and Doug Reynolds

Rumor Mill: Word on the street is that law firm recruiting now includes a mandatory wiffleball tryout. Someone call HR.

Batting order

McGlovens

• Collin Elliot
• Taylor White
• James Jeffries

Stare Decisis

• Doug Reynolds
• Henry Sivils
• Alec Martinez

Game Seven:  Appealables (31st Circuit Judges) Lacks Appeal (Court of Appeals)

Following the high-octane madness of Game 6, Game 7 came in with the energy Monday morning's docket. The first two innings were a masterclass in... well, nothing happening. But what they lacked in runs, they made up for in style: Appealables pitcher Judge Phil Fuhrman put on a fielding clinic, while Judge Kirsten Poppen’s batting stance had all the grace of Swan Lake — minus the tutus.

The action finally showed up like a late filed brief in the third inning. Lacks Appeal captain Judge Matt Hamner cracked the game’s first RBI, followed by a 2-RBI hit from clerk Kyle Skopec. Three runs - not bad for our league's newest team.

Then came Poppen’s leadoff single for the Appealables, punctuated by what we can only describe as a happy dance. Judges Carrier and Greenwade each knocked in RBIs, shrinking the lead and boosting morale. At the end of the third: Lacks Appeal 3, Appealables 2. Game on.

Top of the 4th? Blink and you missed it — three outs faster than an overruled objection.

But the bottom of the 4th - something magical (or kombucha-infused) happened.  The Appealables turned the tide like they were used to reversals.  Judge Stockard bravely took a hit-by-pitch like a seasoned warrior, or the mother of a toddler.  Commissioner Lukachick followed with a booming triple, and Judge Andy Hosmer set a new precedent – delivering a single RBI while holding bat in one hand and brew in the other. Carrier added a conventional albeit tidy double to the chaos... then with all eyes on the field, Greenwade joined the GRAND SLAM HOMERUN club, bringing the fans to their feet like jurors headed to lunch – only with clapping.  Just like that, the Appealables were up by five, leaving Lacks Appeal scrambling for a rebuttal that never came.

Final Score: Appealables (8) Lacks Appeal (3)

MVPs: Allison Garrett, Kaiti Greenwade

Special Commendation: Alec Martinez for umpiring a game packed with judges who get PAID to have the final say. Exhausting.

Batting order

Appealables

• Kirsten Poppen
• Andy Hosmer
• Ron Carrier
• Phil Fuhrman
• Kaiti Greenwade
• Joshua Christensen
• Derek Ankrom
• Jodi Stockard
• John Lukachick

Lacks Appeal

• Kyle Skopec
• Allison Garrett
• Adam Li
• Blake Shier
• Mike Risberg
• Matt Hamner

Game Eight Court Jesters (Carnahan) v Bad News Barristers (Neale Newman)

Game Eight kicked off late—credit (or blame) split evenly between a Barristers player stuck in traffic and a Jester found loitering in the taproom, clearly strategizing over hops rather than hits. Priorities, dudes.

The Jesters took the opening at-bat, with Nate Dunville on the mound for the Barristers. Newcomer Justin Cantwell immediately made it clear he missed no memos, cracking a double. Jay Preston drove in a run before Dunville clutched up and caught Andy Peebles’ pop fly like it owed him money.  Barristers captain Lilly Sweeney entered the chat with a thunderous triple, followed by an RBI from Alden Smith – and an RBI by Sweeney.

But then... the second inning happened. The Jesters overruled the Barristers with a deluge of RBIs. Nadia Malloy, Preston, and Peebles each padded the stats sheet, setting up team captain David Olive for a 2-RBI homer – ending their at-bat with seven runs.

The second half of the second inning and the top of the third were about as exciting as a three-day deposition. Then in the bottom of the third, Smith reappeared casually slapped another run on the board. Teammate Dunville marked the inning both with a hit by pitch single and a bunt in a performance that screamed, “real men do TOO eat quiche.”

Rumor has it both teams overheard the commissioner arguing with the umpire about calling the game early due to the weather—or possibly dinner plans—and suddenly, everyone remembered how to play.

Top of the fourth: the Jesters struck back like a sequel. Olive launched a triple with Cantwell and Peebles following suit, the Jesters added six more runs to their account.

But Alden Smith wasn’t done yet. The man hit three triples in a single inning, dragging his team back into the fight one heroic dash at a time.

The Jesters cooled off in the top of the fifth - perhaps taking a moment to admire their lead. The Barristers, still clinging to hope like it was legally binding, eked out two more runs thanks (again) to Alden Smith.

Final Score: Court Jesters (13) Bad News Barristers (8)

MVPs: Lilly Sweeney and Justin Cantwell

Batting order

Court Jesters

• Justin Cantwell
• Nadia Malloy
• Jay Preston
• David Olive
• Andy Peebles
• Brett Hodges

Bad News Barristers

• Lilly Sweeney
• Alden Smith
• Nate Dunville

2025 Homerun Count

Please (and we know you will) report any inaccuracies to the commissioner of wiffle ball chogan@springfieldbar.com

Game 1

• Cameron Beaver – grand slam in 2nd Inning

Game 5 (unofficial “just for fun”game due to forfeit, but homeruns still count)

• Judge Kaiti Greenwade
• Brady Musgrave

Game 6

• Doug Reynolds (2)
• Alec Martinez (2)
• Taylor White
• Collin Elliott

Game 7

• Judge Kaiti Greenwade (Grand Slam)

Game 8

• David Olive

The 2025 SMBA Wiffle Ball Season opened on a hot and sunny Tuesday May 13th with the first four games of the year.  Forty-two players plus dozens of friends, family and fans filled Mother’s Brewery Backyard for a festive and fun evening.

Shout out to our evening’s umpires Danielle Reid, Jacob Haskins and Cameron Beaver.

Game One

The season opened with a battle of the prosecuting attorneys. The Greene County Dragonslayers and DOJ Turkeys squared off with no runs scratched across in the opening frame. But the quiet didn't last long.

The Dragonslayers struck first, plating a lone run in the top of the second taking a short-lived lead. In the bottom half, the Turkeys trotted in six runs, capped by a grand slam courtesy of team captain—and newly minted husband—Cameron Beaver. Congrats all around.

The Dragonslayers fought back in the third, sparked by an animated triple from Jacqueline Ledezma-Ruelas. Moments later, Kaylee Comer slammed an RBI triple-into-the-tree, bringing the crowd (and a few squirrels) to life.

Alas, the Dragonslayers rally failed to slay, the Turkeys gobbling up hope of a comeback with five more runs in the bottom of the third.

Final Score: DOJ Turkeys11, Dragonslayers 6

MVPs: Hannah Lucas and Katelynn Frazier

Batting order

Dragonslayers

Chris Lebeck

Danielle Pitera

Kim Pulley

Jacqueline Ledezma Ruelas

Kaylee Comer

Josh Harrell

Dan Patterson

DOJ Turkeys

Hannah Lucas

Stephanie Wan

Cameron Beaver

Casey Clark

Randy Eggert

Game Two

You had to be there.  This 2-2 game was as deadlocked as a hung jury.  Two extra innings! The score belies the exciting ball play and excellent fielding of well-matched teams.  However, all good things must come to an end.  Just when the umpire was starting to talk “rock paper scissors” to wrap it up, Randy Reichard stepped to the plate and launched a hit so solid that it couldn’t be stopped even by Ty Harden’s valiant and gymnastic head-over-heels attempt.  We really should get some video footage of these games. 

Final Score: BARbarians 3, Vicarious Trauma 2

MVPs: Randy Reichard and Ty Harden

Batting Order

Vicarious Trauma

Matt Russell

Russ Dempsy

Adam Woody

Ty Harden

BARbarians

Austin Fax

Alex Hockman

McKinley Groves

Kenny Beck

Randy Reichard

Emma Reichard

Game Three

The Defenders came out swinging, putting up two quick runs in the top of the first inning. But Motion to Strike wasn't about to roll over, holding them scoreless through the next two frames. In the bottom of the fourth, Motion cracked the scoreboard, narrowing the gap and reigniting the energy on both sides.  That spark lit a fire under the Defenders, who responded with (plastic) bats blazing and a four-run rally.   The Defenders won the game but Motion to Strike won the “best dressed team” award with their matching lavender t-shirts.

Final Score: Defenders 6, Motion to Strike 1

MVPs: Darlene Villalobos and Abby Craigmyle

Batting Order

Motion to Strike

Abby Craigmyle

Danielle Reid

Bryan Wade

Jessica Johns

Lauren Haskins

Laura Vales

Defenders
Blake Burchard
Darlene Villalobos
Luke Dainty
Sara Meier
Quentin Michel

Game Four

What can we say? Sometimes the Wiffle gods just hand you a tough draw. Let Freedom came out swinging, unloading ten runs in the top of the first inning—enough to make the umpire pause the game and call for a consult with the Wiffle Ball Commissioner to decide just how many innings this drubbing should last.

Pour but Lawful, not ones to back down (especially when there’s a legal loophole to be found), overheard the deliberation and pushed to keep playing. “Let Freedom only scored five in the second,” they argued. “That’s a 50% improvement. We’re gaining on them!” Classic lawyer math.

After six more runs in the top of the third, the game was finally called—partly due to an unofficial mercy rule, partly due to fading daylight, and partly because the Commissioner had a Walmart curbside pickup waiting.

To Pour but Lawful: we salute your team spirit, your legal tenacity, and your fantastic t-shirts. You may not have taken the win, but you definitely won our hearts.

Final Score: Let Freedom Swing 21, Pour but Lawful 0

MVPs:  Jason Johnson and Jill Patterson

Batting Order

Let Freedom Swing

Scott Pierson

Bryan Delleville

Jason Johnson

Pour but Lawful

Rina Edge

Clayton Ballard

Steve Kellogg

Jill Patterson

Knial Piper

Alli Greenwade

2025 Homerun Count

Game One - 

Cameron Beaver – grand slam in 2nd Inning

Members will be photographed at the SMBA office by JRussell Photography beginning June 2, 2025.

There is no charge to participate, but when you select your photo for the composite you will view your proofs and can purchase photos if you wish to do so.

Schedule your appointment by calling 512-266-8921 or online at www.goJRussell.com.  Just click “schedule appointment” and follow the instructions. If you do not schedule an appointment JRussell will follow up with a reminder.

JRussell is the nation’s leading executive portrait studio. They produced our two previous composites and are great to work with. They recommend

professional attire in dark and/or bold colors for lawyers and judges are usually photographed in their robes.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

• Cory Collins, Husch Blackwell LLP
• Douglas L. Healy, Healy Law Offices LLC
• Dan Patterson, Greene County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
• Joseph D. “Chip” Sheppard III, Carnahan Evans PC