Belleville Wiffle Ball tourney pays homage to childhood friends, fallen heroes

To honor brothers of two close friends, a former metro-east high school and college baseball star Hayden Schaefer is organizing a Wounded Warriors Wiffle Wars to take place on July 26 at the Shiloh Eagles field.

The tournament will pit teams against each other in the classic game of Wiffle Ball, the baseball like sport Schaefer and generations before him enjoyed on summer days in their back yards.

Wiffle Ball came out in 1953 and distinguishes itself from other plastic, confined-space games by its signature slender yellow bat and slotted ball, which in the hands of an experienced Wiffle Baller can be made to curve, rise, sink or run in toward the batter depending on how it is gripped.

Schaefer said the game evokes pleasant childhood memories.

“It’s a good way to get in touch with the good old days,” he said.

It’s also provided a way Schaefer can honor fallen friends and others who made sacrifices for their country through their military service.

Staff Sgt. Tanner Hackstadt, who died in 2019, and Senior Airman Marcus Smiley, who died in 2024, will be honored during the Wiffle Wars.

Hackstadt, 23, died on Dec. 13, 2019, while stationed in Charleston, South Carolina. He was a military police officer, serving in the 628th Security Forces Squadron, and a co-worker mentioned his dedication and enthusiasm. The Air Force listed sudden illness as the cause of death. His parents, Wayne and Aisel Smiley and Chad and Paula Hackstadt, still reside in O’Fallon.

On Jan. 16, 2024, Marcus Smiley, 29, died serving in the Air National Guard in Colorado as an aircraft inspection journeyman. He was known for his “outgoing spirit and love of life,” his obituary stated.

The families of both men are supportive of the tournament and will be present at the tournament, Schaefer said.

“This event serves as a way to gather in remembrance of these young men to honor them for being incredible service members, sons, brothers and friends. They were wonderful guys,” Schaefer said.

“It’s a good way to show the families how much we love them and bring people together. It’s a fun time for the community to get together to support the families,” he said.

Marcus’s brother, Dominic Smiley, and Tanner’s brother, Chase Hackstadt, are among the eight organizers. Garrett Herring, Kurt Ober, Grant Herring, Justin Dye and Holden Schaefer are the others.

All O’Fallon Township High School graduates, they played in a local Wiffle Ball tournament for years until that tourney shut down.

“It was a super-fun event, one we looked forward to every summer, one of the best days of the year. So, we thought it would be good to do it ourselves, give back to the troops,” Schaefer said. “We grew up together, playing baseball, and all but one of us were in the O’Fallon HIgh School Class of 2017. We’ve known each other since middle school.”

Schaefer, who moved to Washington D.C. a few years ago, worked as a Secret Service agent for two years, and now works in intelligence for the Department of Homeland Security. He played baseball all four years at O’Fallon High School, then at McKendree University.

“One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to the non-profit Wounded Warriors Project,” Shaefer said. “I have great respect and appreciation for our Armed Forced members and want to do my best to support them.”

The nonprofit group Wounded Warrior Project, established in 2003, is the leading national veterans service organization. Through programs, services and advocacy, they hope to empower and make a difference in the lives of injured veterans, their families and their caregivers.

“I don’t think people realize what all the soldiers do for us. Being able to help them means a lot,” he said.

Event Details

Schaefer said the Wiffle Wars is in its third year. It started in 2021, was suspended in ‘22 and ‘23, then resumed last summer.

It’s now a slow-pitch double-elimination format with a minimum of four players on a team. Each player’s fee is $25. There is no limit on how many teams can participate. Those who want to participate, but don’t have a team, can still register and will be placed with a team that comes up short players.

“They can reach out to me on the Facebook page, leave a comment, and we’ll get them set up,” he said.

The tournament’s back-up date is Sept. 6, if needed.

Registration will take place on July 26, a Saturday; there is no advance sign-up. The games start at 9:30 a.m. at the Shiloh Eagles field, 100 Eagle Drive, Belleville. Schaefer estimated that play would be finished around 4:30 or 5 p.m.

Food, games and raffles are also part of the day.

“We’re going to have a food truck. We encourage people to bring family and friends out. It’s going to be a good day for socializing,” Schaefer said.

“We’d like it to be the biggest and best year yet. Our goal this year is to raise $3,500 for the Wounded Warriors Project,” he said.

For sponsorships and donations forms, visit the Wounded Warriors Wiffle Wars III Facebook page.

This story was originally published July 19, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Belleville Wiffle Ball tourney pays homage to childhood friends, fallen heroes."