Lake Orion Wiffleball Association

04/26/2019

Big Announcement today at 4:00 pm!

07/07/2017

VandenBoom Field got a special drone delivery and donation from our newest members Ryan and Kari Allison last night!!

07/07/2017

Wiffleball Weekend is near! Throwback Thursday to last years Championship game!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp3z1-At164

The Lake Orion Wiffleball Association hosted its 10th Annual Tournament on Saturday, July 9, 2016. Two teams (representing US Air Force & POW/MIA) faced off ...

06/07/2017

Lake Orion Wiffleball is excited to be part of the AMAZING community project "Orion On Deck" to build an inclusive field in Friendship Park. There are many ways to contribute whether it is through our Lake Orion Wiffleball Association Draft Night Charity Dinner, donating to The Daisy Project - Michigan, having some cocktails at Lake Orion's American Summer Pub Crawl, or by test driving a new Ford at Skalnek Ford during Lake Orion's American Summer. Follow us to stay posted on everything as we get closer to Wiffleball Weekend!

05/18/2017

https://lm.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hometalk.com%2F17004338%2Fs-see-how-9-clever-gardeners-make-their-hostas-thrive%3Futm_source%3Dfacebook%26utm_medium%3Dpaid%26utm_campaign%3Dhosta_b&h=ATN0_-tMCpVKAfkCKKZzgjrAYpXyVi9c8PGcrcl0-YfeEwkogmkQBB92Nrc6yTswkOX1hFY2eLNkeopLrvDz5271FNF7TuhPRTvS-BHZUgy4LiqQQYalBDQDTU_ng9RAj4syQ-n-MOKsnA0Crbd2jv4&enc=AZN_thOs2KLmAgVlBAJHS1eiZSaxIoPLeMmWiakknPU-OV60cNE_Fwq5GxEk2eHegVA4-QyC6iYJo-Mm8g7V0WVltMHThIwfLyZSaayxBFtKO8ckdu3SNlPhmFj_zdmTB-a3q1th3Llt18c3sMHij4S0eVBVt4C3RCBqm3LeyA3-9p-c8VVoi6aV65jVErF18CS-N7yE1vHdRd3ETJyVWkVez7AB4x4VN-YILg3uTsaMZ1yllbVXbfJUsJqExRzwGQBRcH2lQzqLcr2na0EXJN6HJYuQV9DNHV67q5KcMDaUZwZQRrnVduYscY9UdovDnuqj8q1k_doyGMBzQ15Kqxgq&s=1

Get ready - you're about to become a Hosta expert!

02/05/2017

Hope everyone enjoys watching the 2nd biggest game of the year tonight!

11/10/2016

10 years ago, on a sunny yet brisk 46 degree day in Lake Orion, 16 barefooted athletes, fueled by Big K Sparkling Punch (RIP), took VandenBoom field for the 1st Annual LOWA Tournament. It was a simpler time where the Plinko Tree was thin (like most of our players) and lefty discrimination was at a minimum.

A big thank you to our tremendous fans, sponsors, and players for your support and generous donations over the years. Also, thanks to Rick and Kathy Hayes Vanden Boom for keeping the field in great shape throughout the years.

Hustle, Hustle, Hallelujah indeed

God Bless the LOWA
God Bless Our Troops and Veterans
God Bless the U S A!

From humble beginnings............our first "official" crack at a wiffleball tournament

07/09/2016

Rise and Shine Wifflers! It's Game Day!

07/08/2016

This is it ladies and gentlemen: the last player profile. And it belongs to the person who has dedicated more blood, sweat and tears to this organization than any other. Ryan Skalnek

LOWA ROLES: Co-Commissioner, President of L.O.W.A. Charities, Chairman of Anti-Left-handed Discriminatory Policies Committee for L.O.W.A., Co-Author of L.O.W.A. Commandments(Sponsor of Articles I & III)

TROPHIES/AWARDS: Reigning Chris Clayton Trophy for Most Strikeouts, Most Outstanding Play, Rick VandenBoom Award for Most Hustle

# OF TOURNAMENTS: 9

BATS: Right

THROWS: Right

FAVORITE POSITION: In between the deck and the hostas

FAVORITE WIFFLEBALL MEMORY: In order: 1)BB Gun Salute tradition for opening ceremonies 2)Neighbor struggling with his 20 hp Evinrude during 2014 Tourney 3)Tim Healy losing his shoe during inaugural 2007 tourney 4) Chris Clayton's double bakers dozen of strikeouts

IF YOU COULD RECEIVE A MUSTACHE RIDE FROM ANY FAMOUS MUSTACHED PERSON WHO WOULD IT BE? Rick Vanden Boom

OFFSEASON PREPARATION: There is no offseason for Lake Orion Wiffleball.

IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPERPOWER FOR WIFFLEBALL, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY? Being able to recover from the tournament as well as I did 10 years ago

WHAT DISGUSTS YOU MOST ABOUT LEFTIES? First, it has been an honor to serve as Chairman of the Anti-Left-handed Discriminatory Policies Committee for L.O.W.A. When I was first drafting the legislation as leading sponsor of Article III of the L.O.W.A. commandments, I knew we had to act strongly and swiftly to prevent lefties from ruining the game that we love with their weak ground rule singles into the lake. Since enacting these discriminatory policies, we have reduced left-handed tournament participation 400%. These Anti-Left-handed polices have allowed L.O.W.A. to grow into the organization it is today. Now what disgusts me the most? If you have to ask me that, you are part of the problem.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE HUSTLE? Running through first base when the odds are against you

WHO DO YOU DESPISE THE MOST? Nate Johanson

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MOST ABOUT THIS YEAR'S TOURNAMENT? Celebrating our milestone 10th in the most American fashion with a great group of Patriots.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE ADDED TO BOOM FIELD AS A NEW CHALLENGE/FEATURE? Vanden Boom Field is perfect

WHICH PLAYER IS MOST LIKELY TO SERIOUSLY INJURE THEMSELVES DUE TO IMPROPER USE OF EQUIPMENT MEANT FOR NORMAL RIGHT-HANDED USE? David Welch

NOMINATE 3 PLAYERS FOR THE LOWA HALL OF FAME:
Jim Boom - A no brainer First-Ballot Hall of Famer based on individual performance and team success.
David Praet - Highly decorated with Championships, MVP's, Best Dressed, and Miss Wiffleball awards
Chris Clayton - striking out 26 times and still winning a Championship? That is a performance for the ages that will stand the test of time.

FINAL THOUGHTS: God Bless America and God Bless Wiffleball

07/08/2016

Our 2nd Co-Commissioner, co-writer of yearly introductions, and amazing mustache groomer, Richard Vanden Boom...

LOWA ROLES: Commisioner, Best Moustache Director, Pep Band

TROPHIES/AWARDS: LOWA Championship, Most Valuable Player, Most Homeruns, Most Outstanding Play, Rick Vanden Boom Award for Most Hustle, Rollie Fingers Award for Best Mustache

# OF TOURNAMENTS: 9

BATS: Right

THROWS: Right

FAVORITE POSITION: On Top

FAVORITE MUSTACHE: Handlebar

FAVORITE WIFFLEBALL MEMORY: Aside from winning the championship, when Nike and Addidas came to the field and fit me for my aerodynamic BodyGlove suit, allow for faster speed on the base path and accurate pitches at 5.99999 mph.

MOST TIMES STRIKING OUT IN A SINGLE TOURNAMENT: 25 times or less

IF YOU COULD RECEIVE A MUSTACHE RIDE FROM ANY FAMOUS MUSTACHED PERSON, WHO WOULD IT BE? Mr. Fingers on the Oakland A's back in the day.

OFFSEASON PREPARATION: My montages speak for themself

IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPERPOWER FOR WIFFLEBALL, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Turn Lake Orion in Sparkling Punch

WHAT DISGUSTS YOU MOST ABOUT LEFTIES? I heard a rumor that they are born out of Rhinos like in Ace Ventura 2, but not sure how to confirm this.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE HUSTLE? Running through 1st base... should be the only option to answer this.

WHO DO YOU DESPISE THE MOST? Nate Johanson

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MOST ABOUT THIS YEAR'S TOURNAMENT? Hearing Eddy Money's Greatest Hits Vol. 2 on Compact Disc on my new Beats by Tre Skalnek.

WHAT FEATURE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE ADDED TO BOOM FIELD AS A NEW CHALLENGE/FEATURE? Triple the amount of hostas, and plant a hosta tree in centerfield.

WHICH PLAYER IS MOST LIKELY TO SERIOUSLY INJURE THEMSELVES DUE TO IMPROPER USE OF EQUIPMENT MEANT FOR NORMAL RIGHT-HANDED USE? Timmy, Drew Hartner, David Praet

NOMINATE 3 PLAYERS FOR THE LOWA HALL OF FAME:
Jim Boom, David Praet, Ryan Skalnek (Cal Ripken never won a championship either)

FINAL THOUGHTS: I love what this tournament has become...more than a game. This weekend has engrained into everyone's hearts, minds and souls. We are living in the good times my friends. When we think of the second week of July, only ONE thing crosses our minds....Wiffleball my friends. God Bless America and God Bless Wiffleball!

07/08/2016

Draft Night is tonight! Let's celebrate the day by honoring our 3 founding fathers. We'll start with Jim Boom

LOWA ROLES: Co-Commissioner

TROPHIES/AWARDS: LOWA Championship, Most Valuable Player, Most Homeruns, Reigning Best Dressed, Reigning Rollie Fingers Award for Best Mustache

# OF TOURNAMENTS: 9

BATS: Right

THROWS: Right

FAVORITE POSITION: Shortstop, unless Chris Clayton is at bat in which case it'd be pitcher.

FAVORITE MUSTACHE STYLE: Wario

FAVORITE WIFFLEBALL MEMORY: Both winning the 2011 Championship with a walk off HR in extra innings, or being a part of Chris Clayton's epic strike out performance while capturing the Championship.

MOST TIMES STRIKING OUT IN A SINGLE TOURNAMENT: 25 times or less

IF YOU COULD RECEIVE A MUSTACHE RIDE FROM ANY FAMOUS PERSON, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY? Chuck Norris because he doesn't have a mullet, his mustache just has a backup.

OFFSEASON PREPARATION: Writing a book titled, "How to Win with a Lefty on Your Team" but naturally it's a complete failure

IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPERPOWER FOR WIFFLEBALL WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY? The power to lose hand-eye coordination so I can experience the feeling of striking out 26 times in a tourney

WHAT DISGUSTS YOU MOST ABOUT LEFTIES? In general: disproportionately large left forearm, shaggy brown hair, facial hair, boat, and two huskies just to name a few.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE HUSTLE? Doing whatever it takes in that moment to make a play. Not to be confused with toughness, hustle takes a screw or two loose in your head to either not know or not care you're about to get hurt. (i.e. Kevin Clayton running through the outfield fence and belly flopping on hope plate)

WHO DO YOU DESPISE THE MOST? If was in a room with Hi**er, Mussolini, and Nate Johanson.... oh never mind... let's just say it's Nate

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST ABOUT THIS YEAR'S TOURNAMENT? Girls in Bikinis! And getting drenched in beer from the Championship Cup after winning it

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE ADDED TO BOOM FIELD AS A NEW CHALLENGE/FEATURE? A net separating the field and the stands so I don't run over Grandpa Skalnek again when hustling through home plate

WHICH PLAYER IS MOST LIKELY TO SERIOUSLY INJURE THEMSELVES DUE TO IMPROPER USE OF EQUIPMENT MEANT FOR NORMAL RIGHT-HANDED USE? I am. I've had a bat thrown at me almost every year and it's bound to hit me soon

NOMINATE 3 PLAYERS FOR THE LOWA HALL OF FAME:
Rick VandenBoom- pushed through the adversity of the 'classy' draft night boundaries and founded the Rollie Fingers Best Stash Award
David Welch- fought thought though wearing a coconut bikini and all other adversity to keep coming back year after year... hahahaha yeah right!!!!
David Praet- Revolutionized the phrase of 'dress nice' by showing up to Buffalo Wild Wings in a freaking tuxedo and starting the Best Dressed award
Tim Healy- maybe the most active member in LOWA especially in the off season, his hustle/lack of athleticism has set the tone for how one should play the game. From slide tackling me 11 years ago while running from 2nd to 3rd in a pickup game on a Sunday afternoon and spraining my ankle, to losing his shoe in the muck in left field in the first tournament which has yet to be found, the guy is a gamer.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Don't get me wrong, I love the Good Lord and my family... but the LOWA tourney weekend is one I look forward to more than Christmas and Thanksgiving combined