Meet the HWL Committee
Historically the HWL has always been “ran” by one man. Granted, it was one man with tons of help, but still... one man. For a while, Josh Smith was that man. In late 2015, that man passed the torch to Patrick Rayl, where he made his mark and brought the league back from the brink in 2016! But after that year…..an idea! What about a 5 man committee to run the HWL? That, my friends, is the beginning of what would become the most well-oiled machine that Huntington had ever seen! 2017 was the beta year for the committee idea but we think we've worked out the bugs in 2018. So allow me the pleasure of me introducing you to the 2018 Huntington Wiffleball League committee:
Josh Blair
Josh came to the HWL as a player in 2016. Teamed with eventual solid long term players, like Ian Handy, he made up the team of the Ballarinas. I know what you’re thinking. 'Really? What is up with that name?' These guys aren't very imaginative with their team names…. but could they play wiffleball. Josh was a fantastic player right out of the gate. He quickly made a reputation for himself as an established hitter and formidable fielder. With no regard of his body he made some of the best plays seen in the 2015 season. As a matter of fact, he won south fielder of the year in 2015 from the NWLA. Above all else, Josh had passion about the game. You could see it every time he stepped on the field. When the committee started in 2016, he was selected as a member as a replacement to another member who could not commit the time as needed. What a fantastic selection he has been. Reliable to show up to the tournament format and willing to setting up or tearing down of the fields. Josh is a success story in himself, he has a great story. But I let him tell you all he has overcome. He’s been a great addition to the committee and looks to be an asset for years to come.
Brice Clark
Brice, came to the league on a full-time basis in 2016. He came with some of his friends from Mason County, West BY GOD Virginia! His team, The Mothmen took HWL by storm! Winning almost every monthly tournament they attended that year, they came up just short of the overall season title due to missing some tournaments. In 2015 a point system was used and attendance to tournaments was a must. After the 2015 season concluded, you could see he Brice was hooked. His young talent and thirst for wiffleball was undeniable. Brice joined the committee in 2016, like Josh Blair he was a replacement for someone who could not commit the time. Being that he was from Mason County and not able to be at all tournaments in 2015 like Josh, he was a bit of a gamble. But he has proven to be reliable in almost all areas of the league. Now in his second season as a committee member, he is always looking to make the HWL huge and has recently taken some leadership roles with the NWL. But home is where his heart is. The HWL is home for Brice and we look forward to having him around and building the league up for years to come.
Anthony Stidham
Strange to write about yourself, especially in a role like this. When the committee was just an idea from a few of the founding father of the league, I was one of the ones they had in mind for a shoo-in for a spot. I started in 2015 with a historic team known as The Plain White Tees. Historic as being the only 0-20 team in HWL history. I came in to the game with such arrogance going 2-2 in my first two at-bats blasting home runs in what was then a fast pitch format and a loaded pitching league. Over my next 7 at bats….0-7! Regardless, I was HOOKED! I tried my best to pick the brain of Josh Smith to just get as much knowledge as I could. That badgering turned into a passion and want to expand this league into greatness. Josh seen that immediately. I was lucky enough to play alongside Josh on what may be the most underachieving and most fun team in HWL history, Make Wiffleball Great Again. Also on that team was then commissioner, Patrick Rayl. Seeing the month to month ops of the league, I wanted in! Now as a member of the committee I wear a few hats. Equipment manager, treasurer, article contributor and podcast co-host/host. I’m excited to see what this new direction the league is going holds. Whatever it is, it will happen with the best 5 guys possible to be running the league.
Jeremy Ray
What can I say about Jeremy Ray? HWL Icon would be a good start. Jeremy is widely known as a fireballer. Countless NWLA and HWL awards for his play since joining the league in 2014. His battles on the mound over the years with guys like Josh Smith and the unicorn himself, Drew McClanahan are stuff of legends! He is most famous for captaining a team of both epic success and epic failure. Sit on my base has been a front running every year he has played on that team. For years though they were known for dominating the regular season and falling short in championships. That all changed in 2016 with his team finally winning a season championship. So, when the committee was put together, Jeremy was an obvious choice. Passionate and dedicated to the growth of the league, he has been a tremendous addition to the committee. Thinking outside the box with heading up teams to take to the NWLA tournaments and improving our own brand here in Huntington. Jeremy is a no doubt hall of famer in this league and quite possibly in the NWLA! His veteran leadership and willingness to work in this league makes him vital to the leagues success.
Josh Smith
Josh Smith started thinking about this wiffleball adventure all those years ago, when that baseball hit him in the face and he thought plastic may hurt less. Josh is a visionary, and since 2012, along with his best friend , Greg Sowards (a HWL Hall of Famer) founded the league. Josh has played on so many teams over the years. Chicken and Wiffles, Make Wiffleball Great Again, Green Bears, Asthamatics and the Terrorhawks. I could go on for days. A staple and household name in wiffleball. Josh was one of the few that was putting together the committee back in 2016. In 2017 he enjoyed his first, and thus far only year as a player only. But once 2017 ended, and some time was freed up in his personal life he had an interest in contributing to the league in some sort of fashion again. With the stepping down of Patrick Rayl, the committee members voted to ask Josh to join them. And he has done so with a fire and passion that has brought new life and great changes to the HWL. His knowledge of the game makes him an asset to any wiffleball organization. His want to see his baby grow into something amazing makes him a no brainer as a committee member. As a friend, it’s great to be able to work with Josh again, even better to have him back and on this great committee.
This committee worked so well together in 2017, and while we all hated to see Patrick Rayl step down, he left his spot in great hands. We will continue to work together in 2018 with the big and exciting changes this season. We think this maybe one of the best season yet! Stay tuned for more great articles to be written by some fantastic writers this season!
