In 2015, then WBBA Executive Member Mark Scholz established the Award of Merit Scholarship with a simple but powerful belief: that anyone who gives back to the game of baseball and dreams of bettering themselves off of the field, deserves a chance to pursue that dream.

A different kind of scholarship

Mark created the Award of Merit Scholarship to complement the WBBA's existing scholarships for West Bend East and West Bend West student-athletes, but with a broader and distinct purpose. Rather than recognizing achievement on the field alone, this scholarship shines a spotlight on individuals throughout the Washington County area, regardless of age or level of play, who give back to the game of baseball in any capacity: as a player, a teammate, a manager, or even a statistician.

Mark also believed that furthering oneself in life takes many forms. The scholarship was intentionally open to those pursuing a four-year university, a two-year technical college, or a vocational training program, a reflection of his inclusive vision for what opportunity should look like.

A legacy built quietly

Perhaps most telling of Mark's character is how he went about establishing this legacy: anonymously. He laid the groundwork carefully and quietly, ensuring the scholarship would have a lasting impact long after his involvement, never seeking recognition for his generosity.

Sadly, the West Bend baseball community tragically lost Mark in 2017. In honor of the remarkable legacy of opportunity he left behind, the West Bend Baseball Association renamed the scholarship in his memory.

Beginning in 2018, it has been awarded as the Mark Scholz Memorial Award of Merit Scholarship, a fitting tribute to a man who gave back to the game, and to the people who love it, without ever asking for anything in return.

Past Scholarship Honorees:

2015: Brett Cramer, West Bend East/West Bend 7 Up
2016: Michael Prochnow, Kewaskum/Kewaskum A’s
2017: Brad Rindfleisch, West Bend West/WB Braves
2018: Zach Biermann, West Bend East/West Bend 7 Up
2019: Nick Winter, West Bend 7 Up
2020: Covid 19 - Did Not Award
2021: Evan Roell, West Bend East