Wren to honor 1st Wiffleball champions

VW independent/submitted information

WREN — Twenty-five years ago the first Wiffleball Tournament was staged at Wrenway Park in downtown Wren. It was composed of 12 teams, including the very first winners: the Barn Rats.

Most of the “Rats” lived within a short distance of each other. At a young age, they played around pole lights and other obstacles at the Hill Farm on Piqua Road in rural Decatur, Indiana. Now, 25 years later they still live but a short distance from each other.

The original team consisted of Jim Hill, Tom Hill, Mark Slusher, Tony Slusher, Neal Slusher, Chad Brunner, Ted Brunner, and Larry Brunner.

The first tournament was much different than the tournament of today. There were no lights, no confetti, no professional lighting and sound.

The Wiffleball tournament was the brainstorm of Jamey Davis (1968-2010, who would be very excited and proud of the tournament’s longevity.

The Barn Rats will be honored in the Wren Homecoming Parade at 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 20.