The Badger Amateur Baseball Association’s season is in the books, but the organization still has one more event on its schedule for 2026.
The amateur baseball league, which dates back to 1946, will induct its latest Hall of Fame members Oct. 17 during its annual Hall of Fame Banquet at Northwinds Banquet Hall in Marion.
This year’s inductees are Lois, Dan and Patsy Brandenburg, Harvey Grosskopf, Larry Resch, Jeff Ostrowski, Al Boyd, John and Rick Boda, Bob Moe, Tim Young and Pat Peskie.
The banquet celebrates individuals whose dedication, leadership and love of the game have helped shape BABA baseball throughout the organization’s 80-year history and brings former players, families, fans and supporters from across the league together to recognize those who have made a lasting impact on amateur baseball.
The inductees are:
Lois Brandenburg
Brandenburg was a baseball activist, organizer, supporter and journalist who covered sporting events for the Marion Advertiser, (Appleton) Post-Crescent and Shawano Evening Leader. The BABA honored her for 50 years of service in 1995, and she never missed a Grand Championship game in those 50 years. She died in 2003.
Dan Brandenburg
Brandenburg played for Marion’s BABA team from 1969-80 and was the catcher on the 1973 Grand Championship squad. After retiring, he was one of the BABA’s top supporters through the Marion Advertiser. He died in 2019.
Patsy Brandenburg
Brandenburg spent years behind the scenes as a writer, photographer and editor with the Marion Advertiser working with her husband, Dan, and mother-in-law, Lois.
Harvey Grosskopf
Grosskopf started playing for Bowler’s BABA team in 1935 as a pitcher and utility man. He was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1941, played for the 301st Army baseball team, returned to the area in 1946 and picked up where he left off. He would take over the manager’s job in Bowler in 1967, a position he held until he retired in 1974 after 40 years at age 59. He died in 2000.
Larry Resch
Resch joined Birnamwood’s BABA team in 1963, played shortstop and was known for hitting the long ball after winning the league’s home run title for several years. He was part of three Grand Championship teams appearances across three decades in 1966, 1978 and 1986.
Jeff Ostrowski
Ostrowski began playing for Hatley’s BABA team at age 14. He represented the team in the BABA All-Star Game as a 16-year-old and played in 26 more all-star games. He was named most valuable outfielder in back-to-back seasons and was constantly in the top lists of the home run and batting average leaders. He spent 30-plus years as a player and manager in Hatley.
Al Boyd
Boyd played on Menominee’s Grand Championship team in 1966, with bat being a key factor in a come-from-behind win. He began managing the Shawano Lakers and compiled a record of 577-197 in a 25-year career that included leading the Lakers to the Grand Championship game in 1983.
John Boda
Boda signed with the Washington Senators in 1966 and played two years of professional baseball before returning home after a shoulder injury. He continued his baseball career with Elderon’s BABA team, was named the North Division’s home run champion in 1971 and would later manage the team.
Rick Boda
Boda, John Boda’s son, started his BABA career in 1985 with Elderon at age 14. He later played for BABA teams in Wittenberg and Leopolis from 2000-07 before returning to Elderon in 2008. There he would win the most outstanding pitcher award in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014 while leading Elderon to five Grand Championship games from 2008-15 before retiring in 2021.
Bob Moe
Moe was part of the Scandinavia Vikings in 1963 as a bat boy before joining the team as a full-time player as a high school junior in 1971. He went on to win a BABA batting title one year by batting .500 and finishing third another year. He also managed the team for a few years.
Tim Young
Young spent 27 seasons with the Star Neva and Antigo BABA teams. He was a member of Grand Championship winning teams in 1970 and 1971 and was also a player/manager on Grand Championship teams 1976 and 1977. He won the Langlade MVP award in 1977, the home run title in 1982 and the Milford Flannery Award in 1992.
Pat Peskie
Peskie joined the U.S. Army in 1965 and played baseball at Fort Irwin, California. He later joined Lanark’s BABA team in 1968, where he would become the catcher and eventually the team’s manager. He went on to play every position over his career. In his last game at age 69, he played right field against Waupaca and had two hits, including a double.
The BABA Hall of Fame & Museum and Marion Area Historical Society continue to build their partnership to establish a permanent home for the hall of fame and museum adjacent to the historical society’s grounds in Marion.
The two organizations share a commitment to preserving the history of the Marion area and the rich tradition of BABA baseball.
“The Hall of Fame is growing and so is our vision,” said Jeremy Schoenike, secretary/treasurer of the BABA Hall of Fame & Museum. “We’re excited to recognize this outstanding Hall of Fame class while building our partnership with the Marion Area Historical Society and working toward a permanent home for BABA’s history.”
The Hall of Fame is also seeking historic photographs, newspaper clippings, programs, uniforms, memorabilia and personal stories from throughout the league’s history. Community members who have items to share or who want to support the organization’s mission are encouraged to visit the website or attend this year’s banquet.
Tickets, banquet information and additional details are available at www.babahalloffame.org.
