The youth-industrial sports complex roars on, sucking up everything in its path.
Do any kids know how to create their own fun these days?
Grant Theisinger does.
Grant Theisinger
In 2 weeks, he’ll be a Staples High School freshman. He’s also a Wiffle ball fanatic. His friends love the game too.
Two summers ago Grant, and Harlan and Hayes Bauer, decided to develop a league, with organized teams.
That was fun. But they wanted more.
Last year, they took it to the next level. Grant saved up money from holidays and birthdays. He bought bases, a pitching mound and home plate turf.
2023 players.
They followed Major League Wiffleball regulations for length and width of the field.
The boys made foul posts out of PVC pipes. Grant’s mom Kristy painted lines. She and his dad Marc installed a chain link fence in their yard — a major upgrade from the previous plastic fence.
Grant and the Bauers enlisted 5 other captains. Each drafted a team. Captains were responsible for finding subs whenever players had conflicts.
Nagly’s Nuggets. Their name and shirts were inspired by one boy’s grandmother.
Their 3-page document of rules includes being respectful to each other, keeping the grounds clean, and more.
Some teams made jerseys. Some wore eye black. Some brought family members, dressed up as mascots.
Games are played in blazing sun, chilly temperatures, and during rain.
Some of the 2024 players.
Over the past 2 seasons, they’ve played more than 200 games. There was a home run derby, All-American game, playoffs and World Series.
Grant kept track of stats. Trophies were awarded at the World Series, in a formal ceremony.
“High Heat” brings the heat. From left: Justin, Grant, Nolan, Dylan.
Parental involvement was minimal. Marc and Kristy welcomed all the boys each game, whether they were there to play or watch.
The yard was filled with 20 to 40 youngsters each time. They ate hot dogs and hamburgers, and snacks sent by players’ parents.
Signage posted around the Cavalry Road neighborhood on game days encouraged spectators to come, grab some food and watch the action.
It’s not a game without burgers and dogs.
It was (almost) like the big leagues. Madison Furniture Barn sponsored the boys, and sent banners to hang on the fence.
Anderson Septic Service provided bats and balls. Owner Brian Anderson played a few innings, and learned pitches from Grant.
Official sign, courtesy of Anderson Septic.
At the end of the season the parents donated two 8-foot benches for the sidelines. from Westport Woodworks.
“Official” benches
But make no mistake: This was the kids’ league.
There was no parent coaching. The boys learned as the league evolved. They made changes when they had to.
Opening day: the national anthem.
Always, they kept their eye on the prize: Having fun.
And of course, winning the World Series.
2024 champs: Cameron, Finn (on phone), Ian, Dean and Grady.
Independence, camaraderie, decision-making, managing their own schedules — and all without any adult telling them what they “should” do: It sounds like Grant Theisinger are already champions.
EXTRA INNINGS: This weekend, Grant takes his love for the game to another level. He’ll represent Westport at the MLW Long Island Wiffs Tournament at Lasorda Legacy Park in Yaphank. Best of luck in the 13-15 age division to Grant, Finn, Dean and Kyle!
FUN FACT: According to Wikipedia, the ball most commonly used in Wiffle ball was invented by David Mullany at his home in Fairfield in 1953, when he designed one that curved easily for his 12-year-old son. The game was named when his son and friends called a strikeout as a “whiff.”
(“06880” celebrates Westport’s youth whenever we can. If you enjoy stories like this, please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)
2023 champs (from left): Brody, Mateo, Henry, Patrick, Gabe, Kyle. (All photos/Kristy Theisinger)
Awesome story, these are future leaders of America!
This is the greatest
Two thumbs up!
Good, clean (!?) summer fun. Amazing!
Bravo! Great job guys and good luck this weekend!
I just loved this story . Fantastic
Great read! This should be featured on ESPN or any major news outlets!
Kudos to these nice kids (redundant I know because ALL Westport kids since Lou Nistico led the recreation commission are nice, look at ME, for example) for staying young and carefree as long as possible despite “grownups” who keep pushing them to turn a sandlot style pickup game of wiffleball into the World Series, complete with rules, regulations and the corruption that organization always brings.
BTW, don’t you think the term “freshman” needs to be “humanized” in favor of the less hateful, sexist and hierarchical “first year student”? This is Westport and Staples. You’re KILLING me Smalls!!!!
Thank you Dan for posting this most uplifting story.All is beautiful in Westport.
Kathleen Dehler
Fun story to read this morning. Let the kids play!
My son has played since the beginning and has been a captain the last few seasons. It’s truly impressive how the boys, mostly Grant, have arranged it all. An occasional suggestion is needed such as perhaps draft twins to the same team for their mom’s sake. The boys did all the drafting , trading and scheduling. The moms just told when the games are and sometimes surprised by kids they didn’t know climbing into their car at BMS pickup. Kristy (and Marc’s ) hosting skills are unmatched. There were a lot of lunches served !! I know it’s mentioned with the picture but the benches are beautiful and was one of the mom’s ideas to source from Keenan at Westport woodworks. Most of all the boys loved the whole thing and hopefully expressed their gratitude to Grant for all his hard work and dealing with all the grumbling snd complaining that comes along with wrangling a lot of teen boys !!
Kudos to Grant to create a whole league. Inspired by the movie “The Sandlot”, my son tried to organize a pickup baseball game that might have lasted two games? In Wisconsin, there is a sports restaurant “Rookies” that has a wiffle ball field in the back.