What began as one idea shared between two baseball men has grown into one of the Midwest's most respected amateur baseball tournaments, and a source of tremendous pride for West Bend and Washington County.

From a dream to a movement

The Wisconsin Amateur Baseball Classic was conceived by WBBA Secretary Craig Larsen and Kewaskum A's manager Jim Ziegler, who shared a vision of bringing Wisconsin's top amateur baseball leagues together in a single, high-level tournament. Their goal was simple: create a competitive, well-organized event that showcased the best amateur baseball the state had to offer.

What started as a dream of one weekend tournament has far exceeded its original ambitions. The WABC now draws teams from across the Midwest, operates with a waiting list, and has grown into multiple tournaments, an end-of-season Wisconsin State Tournament, and a statewide association, a testament to the passion and dedication of everyone who helped build it.

Putting West Bend on the map

With support from the West Bend Baseball Association, the WABC uses its tournaments to shine a spotlight on the outstanding baseball facilities in West Bend and the surrounding Washington County area. At the center of it all is Carl M. Kuss Memorial Field in West Bend, the flagship venue of the WABC tournaments and a facility that reflects the community's deep commitment to the game of baseball.

The WABC champions:

2013 -
Appleton Legends
Champions

Kewaskum A’s
Runner Up

2014 -
Brownsville 49ers
Champions

Brookfield Bulldogs
Runner Up

2015 -
Pewaukee Muskies
Champions

West Allis Nationals
Runner Up

2016 -
West Bend 7 Up
Champions

Sparta Miller
Runner Up

2017 -
Pewaukee Muskies
Champions

Chicago Rippers
Runner Up

2018 -
Sheboygan A’s
Champions

Appleton Legends
Runner Up

2019 -
Hartford Hawks
Champions

Milwaukee Beavers
Runner Up

2020 -
Postponed due to COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 -
Kewaskum A’s
Champions

Appleton Legends
Runner Up

2022 -
Sheboygan A’s
Champions

Kewaskum A’s
Runner Up

2023 -
Sheboygan A’s
Champions

Kewaskum A’s
Runner Up

2024 -
Hartford Hawks
Champions

Appleton Legends
Runner Up

2025 -
Kewaskum A’s
Champions

West Bend Spirits
Runner Up

Wisconsin Amateur Baseball Classic
Started by Craig Larsen and Jim Ziegler