Powered by three recent Chandler High School graduates, the Blue Ballers went undefeated in marching to the championship of the 38th Annual Fourth of July Wiffle Ball Tournament at Costner-Conway Field in Chandler.
Playing in her first-ever Wiffle game, Abby Russell knocked a walkoff homer to win the initial contest 10-9 over four-time champion “1987” (Greg Crum, Zach Crum, Tim Davis, and Steven Conway), which had led from the first pitch.
Next up for the Blue Ballers was a run-rule triumph against seven-time champion Eddie Vedders. In a Wiffle first, this year’s incarnation of the Vedders featured an all-family team of Eric, Tonya, Spencer and Taylor Clagg.
In a competitive final, the pitching of Charlie Sullivan, the hitting of Kaden Jones, and the fielding of Russell and Justin Jones (father of Kaden Jones) allowed the Blue Ballers to wear down 1987 and earn another run-rule victory in the final inning, 13-5.
Sullivan (3-0 on the mound) was voted MVP in a close race over Russell, who won the Gold Glove Award for her brilliant catch of a Greg Crum line drive in the final. Kaden Jones was Home Run King. Scoring was provided by Jackson Crum, professional photography by Tom Dunning, and food courtesy of Wiffle hosts Inda Jo Conway and Steven Conway.