West Bend Baseball Diamond Of Honor Banquet

One night of the year, the “Boys of Summer”, take off their cleats off and put on their “Sunday’s Best” to honor the boys and girls of the past, reflect on the past year, and look forward to the following year of baseball in the Washington County area from youth baseball, to high school baseball, to adult baseball. The event also serves as a fundraiser for the season support of local teams, short and long term projects, scholarships, and the support of the Wisconsin Amateur Baseball Classic Men’s Amateur Baseball Tournaments.

Dinner, Auction, and Featured Keynote Speaker

A first class, sit down banquet style meal along with full bar warm up the guests for the night of celebration and fellowship. A major highlight of dinner is the keynote address from a local well know athlete or personality with a connection to the game of baseball. In years past speakers have included Brewers greats Larry Hisle and Don August, Major League Baseball Scorekeeper and Wisconsin Baseball Hall of Fame member Tim O’Driscoll, to local media members Drew Olson and Mitch Nelles.

After dinner and keynote, attendees have the opportunity to bid on items from the athletic and media world. Thanks to our wonderful partners at Jeff’s Sports in Brookfield and local West Bend Businesses, the West Bend Baseball Association holds both silent and live auctions. Items ranging from wine baskets donated by West Bend Baseball Association Wall of Fame member Greg Wilcox’s winery in California, to priceless autographed baseballs from current and past greats, to signed autographed DVD and movie posters from the movie Major League, to a once in a lifetime opportunity at Miller Park to cheer on our local Milwaukee Brewers.

Wall of Fame Honorees

The Diamond of Honor Banquet is also an opportunity for the baseball community of West Bend and surrounding areas to honor those who have made an impact both on the field and off the field by enshrining them into the West Bend Baseball Wall of Fame at Carl M. Kuss Field. The WBBA honors anywhere between 3 to 5 individuals a year. To be qualified for the honor the individual has had to make an meaningful impact on the game of baseball in West Bend and surrounding area. The Diamond of Honor official presents each honoree with their individual plaque, along with being able to address the attendees about their experiences playing the game in West Bend.

Past Season Awards

The West Bend Baseball Association also takes the time to honor those individuals that have made an impact during the previous season and shine a light on their accomplishments. Honorees from Little League, to High School, to our Men’s Amateur Teams are honored with awards from our local leagues, the local Man of the Year Award named after West Bend resident George “Doc” Kraemer, and the Philanthropic Award named after West Bend matriarch, Prudence Pick Hway.

Awards Given:

West Bend Baseball Association President’s Award
West Bend Baseball Association Award of Merit
George “Doc” Kraemer Man of the Year Award Presented by West Bend 7 Up Bottling Company
Prudence Pick Hway Philanthropic Award
Mark Scholz Scholarship
Washington County Men’s Amateur Player of the Year