Wren Wiffleball tourney teams announced

Van Wert independent/Wren Homecoming information

WREN — The 20th anniversary Wiffleball Warehouse Extravaganza will be played at Wrenway Park as part of the Wren Homecoming August 18-20.

Jamey Davis, who had a vision, started the tournament in 1992, and his vision has become a tournament like no other.  Wren has been proclaimed the “Wiffleball Capital of Ohio” and this year’s event is going to be over the top.

The bracket was filled at 5 p.m. August 1 after team representatives waited 189 hours to sign up and pay to play. This year’s teams include MKS Siding, Gatorz, Slusher’s, Shotzy’s, DyNasty, Putman Stables, Whiffers, TJ’s, ACC Lawn Care, Clean 13, The Pitt Stop, 101 Auto, River Rats, Angles, NOH Dog Jumpers and an automatic entry was given to the Bunnies, who were the 2010 tournament champs.

The championship game — to be played under the lights — will start at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, August 20, but the pregame show is something people won’t want to miss.  The show will feature a military tribute, including the showing of a video made from the photos sent in and many surprises.

Tourney Commissioner Jack Davis announced that Mark Slusher will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the tournament this year, which will occur at 5:45 p.m. Friday, August 19, at Wrenway Park in downtown Wren. Slusher was chosen because of his dedication to the village.

He has graciously painted the Wiffleball playing field — with a unique design — each year. If there is an event in Wren, and help is needed, Slusher is there. For the Wiffleball tournament, he is there from the first stake being set for the fence — the week before the tournament — to the last piece of trash being cleaned up on Sunday morning.

Slusher and his wife, Norma, live right outside Wren. They are parents to three daughters, Lisa, Kristy and Tina, and just welcomed their first granddaughter, Ariah, to the family.

“The Village of Wren, along with the Wiffleball organizers, and fans would like to take this opportunity to thank Mark for all he does for us,” said Wren Mayor Monica Davis.

In addition to the Wiffleball tournament, there will be a lot of other activities this weekend as well, from lawn mower drag racing, a car show, pancake and sausage breakfast, a mobile reptile zoo, the TRSS Drum Corps, Wren Rib Cook-Off, ballpark awards, Princess/Queen Contest, parade, basket bingo, beverage garden and more — proving there is more than Wiffleball at Wren Homecoming.