Stars of ‘Sandlot’ returning to city for Wiffle Ball event
Stevie’s World of Wiffle Ball will be back in Springfield next month for the event’s 21st year, and once again, several actors from the cult classic baseball movie “The Sandlot” will be here too.
The Wiffle Ball event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., at the UAW Local 402 Recreation Park, 4945 Derr Road in Springfield.
The day before, there will be an autograph signing event starting at 6 p.m. at COHatch in Springfield, 101 South Fountain Ave. It will feature five actors from “The Sandlot” — Brandon Quintin Adams (Kenny), Tom Guiry (Smalls), Chauncey
Leopardi (Squints), Marty York (Yeah-Yeah) and Grant Gelt (Bertram) — plus Thomas Ian Nicholas, who also starred in “Rookie of the Year” as well as “American Pie”
John Leep, the event’s organizer, said the “Sandlot” actors are back after enjoying last year’s event.
“They were able to participate in our event, they were able to play Wiffle Ball. So that was totally off the cuff there because they’re usually just signing for hours,” he said.
Proceeds from the event go toward helping families who have children with illnesses and disabilities.
“It’s overwhelming some of the things that we’ve been able to do for the families,” Leep said.
Stevie’s World of Wiffleball was held from 1985-1994 and resumed in 2014.
While the main attraction is the tournament, the event is also known for its custom miniature fields, including versions of Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, the Dayton Dragons’ Day Air Ball Park and the Reds’ Crosley Field. This year, their new field is Rickwood
Field, which is the oldest existing professional baseball field in the United States, and the former home of the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues.
Leep asks anyone who would like to donate to do so at steviesworld.org. More information about the event can also be found through the same website.