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MARCUS HANELHanel, a graduate of Racine Horlick High School, is a bullpen catcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. He played professonally in the Pirates organization, but that’s not what makes him special. His tireless work for his charity, Koos for Kids, helps terminally ill children and children with special needs throughout southeastern Wisconsin through a variety of projects.

Hanel, who lives in Caledonia and occasionally gives hitting and catching lessons at the Hitter’s complex in Racine,

has always had a desire to help children. Before Koos for Kids began, he had been helping other nationwide, charitable organizations. He enjoyed it very much, but really wanted to give back to the local community and impact lives immediately. 

In the summer of 2004, Hanel was approached by Tom Chlebos to begin his own charity. He was very excited about the idea. He made it his mission to help children and share his faith with them.

Over the course of a couple months, he formed a committee of five people, including himself, Tom Chlebos, Anthony Porcaro, Dean Steger, and his wife Jill. In January of 2005, they came up with the name, “Koos for Kids”, and decided to focus on helping terminally ill and disadvantaged children in the local area.  The first official fundraiser was a success the charity grew quickly.  They added Board Members Tom Sollman & Nicole Ramczyk and Committee Members Rae Wood & Eileen Beesley.

Koos for Kids helps children in a few different ways.  Over the years, they have been able to help numerous terminally ill children by purchasing them laptops, ipads, zoo passes, airplane tickets, a puppy, whatever it is that makes their life a little brighter. They’ve purchased over 3000 winter coats for disadvantaged children in the local area, organized and ran the Challenger Baseball League where over 60 children with special needs can come and be part of a team and learn the game of baseball. There are many other ways they have helped the local community as well thanks to the support from local individuals and businesses.

PAST WINNERS2014 Mike Jirschele - Clintonville-Kansas City Royals2013 Mark Fuller - Cumberland2012 Matt Erickson - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers - Appleton2011 Mark Attanasio - Milwaukee Brewers2010 Steve Schmidt - Madison Mallards2009 Ron Kading - Potosi2008 Tim O’Driscoll - Arrowhead2007 Tom Meyer - Milwaukee 2006 Gerry Davis, Bruce Froemming, Tim Tschida - WI MLB Umps2005 John Vodenlich - UW-Whitewater2004 Don Hawkins – Appleton2003 Damian Miller – Chicago Cubs - West Salem2002 Terry Ryan – Minnesota Twins - Janesville Jarrod Washburn – California Angels - Webster2001 Craig Counsell – Arizona Diamondbacks -Whitefish Bay2000 Bob Uecker – Milwaukee Brewers - Milwaukee1999 Gordie Gillespie – Ripon College1998 Rusty Helland – Webster1997 Alan “Bud” Selig – Milwaukee Brewers - Milwaukee1996 Mike Dee – University of Minnesota - La Crosse1995 Joe Waite – Cumberland1994 Frank McCormick – WIAA1993 Ken Kirby – Edgerton1992 Denny Moyer – Sheboygan1991 Tom O’Connell - Milwaukee Pulaski1990 Bob Gifford – Wausau West1989 Mark Fuller – Cumberland

2015 mAN of ThE YEAR

WBCA AWARD WINNERS foR ThE 2015 SEASoN

2015 SPRINg CoACh of ThE YEARVICTOR HERBST

JANESVILLE CRAIGVictor Herbst has been the head coach at Janesville Craig High School since 2005. In 2015 the Cougars went 17-1 in the Big 8 Conference, winning their first conference championship since 2001. For the season the Cougars batted .336, and posted a 1.80 ERA, with six players being named 1st Team All-Conference. Janesville

Craig went on to finish the season with an incredible 29-1 record, and win the Division I State Championship, outscoring their opponents 13-2 in State Tournament, including two shutouts.

2015 SUmmER CoACh of ThE YEARMARK WEBER

HOWARDS GROVEMark Weber is entering his 21st year as head coach at Howards Grove. In 2015 the Tigers won their second consecutive Central Lakeshore Conference championship, going 16-2. Overall their record was 17-5. Coach Weber has won six conference titles at Howards Grove, and played in Sectionals four times. During his tenure at

Howards Grove, Mark has had 13 players receive All-State recognition, with many of them receiving scholarships. In 2014 Mark earned a Distinguished Service Award, and continues to be a strong advocate for baseball at all ages in Howards Grove.

PAST WINNERS

2014 Greg Fetherston (Jefferson) Butch Cain (Plymouth)2013 Kip Nordstrom (Lodi) Tom Farina (New Berlin West)2012 Rob Hamilton (Sun Prairie) and Jeff Ryan (Prescott) Jeff Wolf (Germantown)2011 Bob Johnson (Eau Claire North) Scott Holler (Oak Creek)2010 Mike Simoens (Bay Port) Tom O’Connell (Catholic Central) Chuck Ihle (West Salem)2009 Richard Newton (Madison Edgewood) Tim O’Driscoll (Arrowhead) 2008 Steve Warren (Marathon) Chuck Ihle (West Salem)2007 Ryan McGinnis (Kimberly) Bill Albrecht (West Bend West) 2006 Dan Waters (Osseo-Fairchild) Pat Hansen (Menomonee Falls)2005 Rob Hamilton (Sun Prairie) Jim Wilkinson (Milwaukee Marquette)2004 Mark Simon (D.C. Everest) Jason Kosanke (Waukesha South)2003 Pete Barsness (Holmen) Chris Kempf (Ashland)2002 Mike Zimmerman (Middleton) Doug Gonring (West Bend East)2001 Rick Hofeditz (Beloit Turner) Mark Rohde (Brookfield Central)2000 Marty Paulsen (Fond du Lac)1999 Steve Leistico (Waterloo)1998 Bob Suter (Janesville Craig)1997 Don Williams (Hortonville)

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ASSISTANT CoAChES of ThE YEAR

PAST WINNERS2015 John Vodenlich - UW-Whitewater2014 Scott Dofek -- UW-Milwaukee2013 John Vodenlich - UW-Whitewater2012 Chris Schwarz - UW- La Crosse2011 Mike Davenport -- Madison College2010 John Vodenlich -- UW-Whitewater2009 Dave DeGeorge – Beloit College 2008 John Vodenlich – UW-Whitewater2007 Pat Bloom – UW-Stevens Point2006 Chris Schwarz – UW-La Crosse2005 Pat Bloom – UW-Stevens Point2004 John Vodenlich – UW-Whitewater2003 Tom Lechnir – UW-Oshkosh2002 John Weber – Lakeland College2001 Gordie Gillespie – Ripon College2000 Jim Miller – UW-Whitewater1999 Jerry Augustine and Scott Doffek – UW-Milwaukee1998 Mike Stuhr – UW-LaCrosse1997 Scott Pritchard – UW-Stevens Point1996 Leo Kalinowski – MATC1995 Leo Kalinowski – MATC1994 Tom Lechnir – UW-Oshkosh1993 Tom Lechnir – UW-Oshkosh1992 Augie Schmidt – Carthage College

SCoTT moRRISoN - oShkoSh WESTScott Morrison is a former player at Oshkosh West, earning two letters in baseball. He has been as assistant coach at West since 1990, serving as their pitching coach. He has coached in the All-Star Classic twice, has coached Legion Baseball in Oshkosh for over 10 years, and has been the official statistician for the Fox Valley Conference for over 20 years. For many years, Morrison has been the voice of the All-Star Classic.

henry teetz - mILWAUkEE PIUS XIFor 13 seasons Henry Teetz has been the right hand man to head coach Kevin Kehoss at Milwaukee Pius XI High School. His attention to detail and dedication has been a contributing factor to the ongoing success of Pius XI. As a pitching coach, Teetz has earned a lot of respect among his peers for his positive attitude, and coaching philosophy. He has worked with, and developed some of the top pitching

talent in the Milwaukee area thru the years, including three pitchers that are currently playing college baseball.

PAST WINNERS2014 Barry Schultz - Riverdale (spring) Mark Bombien - Greendale (summer)2013 Mike Schmitt - Waupun (spring) Jack Ward - Wauwatosa West (summer)2012 Peter Gumina - Sun Prairie (spring) Warren Smith - Oak Creek (summer)2011 Dale Monday -- Saint Mary Central (spring) Marc Montez -- Waukesha South (summer)2010 Bill Price -- Westosha Central (spring) Jeff Wolf -- Nicolet (summer)2009 Rick Steffen -- Royall and Brad Matzek -- Prescott (spring) Jamie Olson -– West Salem (summer)2008 Tom Krause – Burlington & Steve Maufort – Appleton East (spring) Mark Dobberstein and Pete Kowalski – Pewaukee (summer)2007 George Haferman – Wisconsin Rapids (spring) Pat Simon – New Holstein (summer)2006 Gary Stoughtenger – Mauston (spring) Ethan Milliard – Homestead (summer)2005 John Nicolai – Eau Claire Regis (spring) Chuck Ihle – West Salem (summer)2004 Scott Smith – Beloit Turner (spring) Mark Kohlrusch – New Richmond (summer)2003 Darwin “Dip” Dade – Sevastopol (spring) Tom Swittel – Wauwatosa East (summer)

1996 Steve Tucker (Bangor)1995 Bruce Erickson (Appleton West)1994 Garry Bahe (Sun Prairie)1993 Ron Kading (Potosi)1992 Tom Bennett (Madison Memorial)1991 Bruce Erickson (Appleton West)1990 Tom Bennett (Madison Memorial)1989 George Roman (Stevens Point)1988 Ron Wahoske (Ripon)1987 Mike Dee (LaCrosse Aquinas)1986 Frank Thornton (LaCrosse Central)1985 Tom Konowalski (Milwaukee Tech)1984 Ken Trott (Westby)1983 Frank Benevides (Greenfield)1982 George Holland (Nekoosa)1981 George Holland (Nekoosa)1980 Frank Thornton (LaCrosse Central)1979 Rod Billerbeck (Gibraltar)1978 Fred Peterson (Oconto Falls)1977 George Holland (Nekoosa)1976 John Bartelt (Marion)

CoLLEgE CoACh of ThE YEAR

In 2012, UW-La Crosse nearly dropped baseball. In 2015 Chris Schwarz led them to a 36-16 record, and their first Midwest Regional Championship. Their 36 wins set a school record. They made their first

trip to the Division III World Series, and finished as NCAA Division III National Runner-Ups. In addition, coach Schwarz became the winningest coach in UW-La Crosse history, and was selected as the ABCA Midwest Region Coach of the Year.

ChRIS SChWARZUW-LA CRoSSE

2002 Jerry Downs – Potosi (spring) Larry Nelson – Ashwaubenon (spring) John Westfall – Marathon (spring) Bob Weber – South Milwaukee (summer)2001 Barry Schultz – Riverdale (spring) Jack Uhlenbrauck – Hortonville (spring) Jim Ziegler – Campbellsport (summer)2000 Joe Waite – Cumberland Terry Kieffer – Beaver Dam1999 Brian Artac – Merrill1998 Pete Raye – Unity

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Brian ArtAcBrian Artac has been a driving force for Merrill Baseball for over 30 years. Recently retired from coaching, Artac served as the head coach at Merrill High School for over 15 years, after being the junior varsity coach for 20 seasons. Despite being one of the smaller Division I schools in Wisconsin, Merrill consistently fielded strong, competitive teams. Artac was the

man largely responsible for keeping Merrill a strong program, willing to do anything and everything to help the program. Artac’s dedication and commitment to Merrill baseball for over 30 years will never be forgotten.

wayne ‘Red’ kastnerA lifelong resident of Portage, Red Kastner has been involved with Portage baseball since his childhood. Kastner began

coaching after his playing days ended. Starting in 1990, he has coached Little League, Majors, Junior Legion, and Varsity Legion, a level that he coached for 14 seasons. Kastner had also served Portage baseball as an umpire and announcer, in-

cluding announcing two State Championship seasons, 2006 and 2012. A very humble man, Portage is lucky to have a man like Kastner around to promote and continue the passion that Portage has for baseball.

Rick SchabowskiRick Schabowski has been a long time member of SABR, (Society for American Baseball Research). For 13 years, he has been president of the Ken Keltner Badger State Chapter of SABR. Schabowski is also the President of the Wisconsin Old

Time Ballplayers’ Association, a Milwaukee organization that promotes baseball, particularly at the sandlot level. He is also an officer in the Milwaukee Braves Historical Society, an organization founded by Johnny Logan and designed to preserve

the legacy of the great Milwaukee Braves. Shabowski is truly an unsung baseball advocate in Wisconsin.

2015 wbca DISTINgUIShED SERVICE AWARDS

kickapoo kids1950-1953 gAYS mILLS hIgh SChooL TEAm

Gays Mills High School accomplished something very rare, and under today’s system of multiple divisions, impossible. This tiny high school reached the State Tournament in 1950, 1951, and 1953, beating several schools that would be Division I schools today, along the way. Known as the ‘Kickapoo

Kids,’ their story had been largely forgotten, until former player Paul Lagan wrote a book about their accomplishments.

The book, The Amazing Journey of the Kickapoo Kids, brought their story back to light. Led by a WBCA Hall of Fame Coach, Jack Paulin, and featuring not only the author, who later played some pro ball, but players who later became Hall of Fame Coaches, (Larry McGinley and Eli Crogan), the WBCA

is proud to recognize the ‘Kickapoo Kids’ with a special Memories Award.

The back cover of Paul Langan’s book reads, “Baseball is everything in the Kickapoo Valley of southwestern Wisconsin in late 1940’s. With the aftermath of the Great Depression and World War II still hanging heavily over the sparsly populated town of *Millersville, parents make every effort to hold their

families together and instill wholesome values in their children. Baseball is the only thing that keeps them united.

Out of this seemingly bleak situation evolves a group of underdog kids that are destined to challenge the record books and immortalize high school baseball history in Wisconsin.

There were no divisions in high school sports in the 1940s and early 1950s, so tiny *Millersville is forced to compete against schools with twenty times as many students in order to qualify for the state championships. After graduation five of their players are offered pro contracts.”

*Gays Mills was renamed Millersville by Langan in his book.

2015 wbca baseball memories AWARD

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PLAYERS of ThE YEAR

Spring

shane coker athens

Shane Coker was a three time 1st Team All-Con-ference player at Athens High School. He was the Marawood Conference Player of the Year in both 2014 and 2015, and was 1st Team All-State both years as well. He finished his career with over 20 career wins on the mound. As a senior, he batted .692, and was named “Wissports Outfielder of the Year”, as well as “Central Wis-consin’s Athlete of the Year”. Coker is attending college in Creigh-ton, where he will be playing baseball for coach Ed Servais.

rudy rott la crosse aquinas

During the 2015 sea-son Rudy Rott was an all-around player. On the mound he posted a record of 6-0, with an ERA of 1.13. At the plate he hit for an incredible .592 average. The result was Rott being named 1st Team All-State Utility Player. He was a 1st Team All-Conference player all four seasons at La Crosse Aquinas, and

was also named La Crosse Tribune Player of the Year for 2015. He is playing college baseball for Division I Ohio University in Athens, and is in competition for either 1st Base, or DH this season.

logan wonn oconomowoc

In 2015, Logan Wonn posted a record of 11-1, with an ERA of 0.30. He struck out 121 opponents during the season. Wonn was the Little Ten Conference Player of the Year in both 2014 and 2015, and was a WBCA 1st Team All-State pitcher. He has accepted a scholar-ship to play baseball at Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida. Coach Arno Kirchenwitz states, “Logan is one of the hardest work-ers we have had at Oconomowoc. He was an excellent role model, and left everything out on the field between the lines.”

doran turchin oak creek

Doran Turchin was a four year starter for Scott Holler at Oak Creek. During his career he led the Knights to a State Championship in 2012, and three consecutive Greater Metro Conference Championships. He is Oak Creek’s career leader in RBI’s, with 121, and hits with 146. He was a three time first team All-Conference selection, and two time WBCA 1st Team All-State player. He was also a two time NOW Newspapers of Southeast Wisconsin Player of the Year, and Wiscon-sin Baseball Old-Timers Association Player of the Year. He earned a baseball scholarship to the University of Illinois.

summer

WBCA mEDIA PERSoN of ThE YEAR

JoE NIESE – Chippewa fallsJoe Niese is an author, a librarian, and a member of the Society for American Baseball Research. His writing and re-search focuses on the history of baseball in Wisconsin. Niese has had numerous articles posted in The National Pasttime and Nine: A Journal of Baseball History and Culture. He has written two books on Wisconsin baseball players: Handy Andy: The Andy Pafko Story and Burleigh Grimes: Baseball’s Last Legal

Spitballer. An Eau Claire native, Niese lives in Chippewa Falls.

kEN kIRBY UmPIRES of ThE YEAR

DErEk fREEmAN – Nekoosa Derek Freeman has been an umpire since 1991. Since that time he has become one of the better umpires in Wisconsin. Since 2010 Freeman has worked Legion State Tournaments, WIAA Sectionals, and two WIAA State Tournaments. He has also worked both the ABCA All-Star Classic, and the American Legion All-Star Game. In 2016 he will be umpiring a National American Legion Tournament. In the past he has also worked college and minor league spring training games. He annually works between 70-80 games a year.

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kEVIN gRoSSoEhmE – milwaukee Kevin Grossoehme has umpired a lot of college baseball games, and got back into high school umpiring 10 years ago. Over the past eight years he has officiated in every spring and summer Sectional tournament. Grossoehme has also worked in two State Tournaments. He is active in the Wisconsin Umpires Association, being a former Vice-President, and has been President for the past three years. He has been a partner for Paul Feldhausen for several years, and considers Paul as his mentor.

VoLUNTEER CoAChES of ThE YEAR

RoN CARPENTER – Wausau River RatsRon Carpenter organized the Wausau River Rats Traveling Baseball Team, which has served Wausau, DC Everest, Merrill, and Marathon for over 35 years. He uses his own funds to support this team. Carpenter is also a member of the Central Wisconsin Baseball Hall of Fame. During his time running the River Rats, Carpenter has won approximately 95 Traveling Baseball Championships.

mIkE SUBoTICh – Wilson Park Little League/milwaukee hamilton high School

Mike Subotich has been working with the Wilson Park Little League since 2007, and with the Milwaukee Hamilton high school team since 2009. In 2013 Subotich was severely injured, and was unable to walk until his surgery in March of 2014. From his wheelchair, Subotich continued to work with his players, opening the weight room and open gyms. He even coached for a while in a wheelchair. Subotich has contin-ued coaching since his recovery.

EThICS IN CoAChINg

mARk ZEE – marshfield Mark Zee spent 18 years as the head coach at Marshfield High School. During that time he not only maintained a successful baseball program, but also became a great role model for his student-athletes. Zee placed great value on integrity, work ethic, and discipline of character. These traits were not only on display on the baseball field, but in the classroom as well, where Zee earned a Kohl Scholarship. Highly respected as a coach, throughout his career Zee has embodied character and integrity. Receiving the “Ethics in Coaching” award is richly deserved for Zee.

JERRY DoWNS – Potosi

Jerry Downs has been an assistant coach at Potosi High School for 38 years. During that time he has served in many capacities – JV Coach, Varsity Assistant Coach, Legion Coach, Youth Coach. Down’s enthusi-asm and passion for the game of baseball has helped Potosi’s program tremendously. He has a great love for the kids he coaches. He has been a tremendous role model, strong on character development, and in his faith. He has helped mold many young men thru the years, and is looked upon as a mentor to young coaches and teachers in Potosi.

2015 WBCA Scholarship Winners

Bryce Ducharme - hudsonRanked 1st in his graduating class of 398, Ducharme is a motivated indi-vidual in and outside the classroom. Ducharme has volunteered at various causes in his community and school. Ducharme was named team captain for both his junior and senior Baseball seasons. Coach Ryan Huppert writes, “Bryce is unquestionably one of the most driven student-athletes in the HHS baseball program. His strong work ethic and his desire to achieve excellence is noticed by his peers, his coaches, and the community.” Heading to the University of Wisconsin to study mathematics.

Connor hock - Bay PortIn addition to participating in the All Star Classic, Hock was named 1st Team All-State, and Tri-State Player of the Year in helping Bay Port reach the State Tournament. In addition to being an outstanding student, Hock participated in an incredible number of extra-curricular and volunteer activities. Coach Mike Simoens writes, “Connor is an excellent teacher and role model . . . an exceptional young man with strong moral character and integrity, excellent study habits, and unparalleled motivation.” Heading to Notre Dame to study science or business.

Sam kohnle - kewauneeA three-time All-Conference and All-District player, Kohnle was recently named to the 3rd Team All-State Team, as well as participating for the North team in the All Star Classic. Kewaunee Coach Matt Kohnle writes that “Sam truly has done everything possible to make himself the best he could be.” In leading his team to their first conference championship in 23 years, Kohnle broke four batting records at Kewaunee. Heading to Winona State to study composite materials engineering.

Jonathon Stiever - CedarburgThough Cedarburg High School does not offer class rank, Stiever would be near the top with a Cumulative G.P.A. of 4.204. Quite an accomplishment, considering he took eight Advanced Placement classes and spent numerous hours volunteering in his community. A team captain for three years, veter-an head coach Jack Friess writes of Stiever, “He is one of the most coachable players I have ever had in my 37 years.” Adding, “He does everything to help our team be successful.” Heading to the University of Indiana.

Zach Van Wie - Wisconsin DellsRanked first in his graduating class, Van Wie was able to juggle baseball, volunteer work, and a difficult class load and find success in all three. Coach Mike Michalsky writes, “Zach is very well-rounded young man . . . he is one of the finest individuals I’ve dealt with . . . intellectually gifted in the class-room, and a fierce competitor on the athletic field.” Named captain both his junior and senior years, Van Wie gained all-conference and all-district rec-ognition as well. Heading to the University of Wisconsin to study Business.

Logan Wonn - oconomowoc Recently named Tri-State Player of the Year, Wonn has built himself quite a resume on the baseball field and in the classroom. Participating in the All Star Classic was only the most recent in a long list of accomplishments for Wonn on the baseball field this spring. His leadership helped propel Oconomowoc to the state tournament this spring. In the classroom, Wonn challenged himself with a strenuous class load and finished near the top of his class. Heading to Jacksonville University (FL) to study either finance or accounting.

On behalf of the WBCA, congratulations and best wishes to each of the 2015 WBCA Scholarship Winners. Bob Gawlitta, Wisconsin Rapids