FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 30, 2026
Brandenburg Family Headlines 2026 BABA Hall of Fame Class
MARION, Wis. — The BABA Hall of Fame & Museum has announced that Dan Brandenburg, Patsy Brandenburg, and Lois Brandenburg are among the members of its 2026 Hall of Fame class. The Brandenburg family will be honored during the annual Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday, October 17, at Northwinds Banquet Hall in Marion.
Joining the Brandenburgs in this year's class are Bob Moe, John Boda, Rick Boda, Larry Resch, Jeff Ostrowski, Al Boyd, Harvey Grosskopf, Tim Young, and Pat Peske.
The annual banquet celebrates the individuals whose dedication, leadership, and love of the game have helped shape Badger Amateur Baseball Association (BABA) baseball throughout its 80-year history. The evening brings together former players, families, fans, and supporters from across the league to recognize those who have made a lasting impact on amateur baseball.
The event also comes at an exciting time for the organization as the BABA Hall of Fame & Museum and the Marion Area Historical Society continue to build their partnership to establish a permanent home for the Hall of Fame & Museum adjacent to the Historical Society's grounds. Together, the two organizations share a commitment to preserving the history of the Marion area and the rich tradition of BABA baseball.
"The Hall of Fame is growing, and so is our vision," said Jeremy Schoenike, Secretary/Treasurer of the BABA Hall of Fame & Museum. "We're excited to recognize this outstanding Hall of Fame class while building our partnership with the Marion Area Historical Society and working toward a permanent home for BABA's history."
General admission tickets are $30 and are available online. Guests may also reserve the Captain's Table, which includes reserved seating for eight guests and entry into a special Captain's Table drawing. Advance ticket purchases are encouraged to assist with banquet planning.
The Hall of Fame & Museum recently launched its official website and Facebook page, providing a central location for banquet information, Hall of Fame news, and updates as the organization continues to grow.
The Hall of Fame is also seeking historic photographs, newspaper clippings, programs, uniforms, memorabilia, and personal stories from throughout the league's history. Community members who have items to share, or who wish to support the organization's mission, are encouraged to visit the website or attend this year's banquet.
Tickets, banquet information, and additional details are available at www.babahalloffame.org. Follow the BABA Hall of Fame & Museum on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BABAHallOfFame for updates and announcements.
The BABA Hall of Fame & Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history of amateur baseball throughout the Badger Amateur Baseball Association.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2026
BABA Hall of Fame & Museum, Inc. Receives 501(c)(3) Status; Preparations Underway for October Hall of Fame Banquet
The BABA Hall of Fame & Museum, Inc. is proud to announce that it has officially received recognition as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization from the Internal Revenue Service, marking an important milestone in preserving and celebrating the rich history of amateur baseball throughout BABA communities.
The new designation allows the organization to accept tax-deductible charitable contributions, pursue grant opportunities, and continue building toward its long-term vision of establishing a permanent Hall of Fame and Museum dedicated to honoring the players, coaches, volunteers, families, and communities that have shaped BABA baseball for generations.
"This is an exciting step forward for our organization," said President Craig Brei. "The Hall of Fame has always been about preserving our history and recognizing those who made amateur baseball special. Receiving our 501(c)(3) status gives us the tools to ensure that legacy continues for many years to come."
The organization is now preparing for its annual Hall of Fame Banquet this October, where 12 new inductees will be honored. The event will once again bring together former players, families, supporters, and baseball enthusiasts from across the region to celebrate the traditions and stories that define BABA baseball.
As part of this next chapter, the Hall of Fame is launching several new initiatives, including:
• A Founding Supporter Program, scheduled to launch later this year and continue through December 31, 2027, recognizing the individuals, families, and businesses that help establish the organization during its formative years.
• The creation of a BABA Hall of Fame & Museum Facebook page to share historical content, inductee spotlights, and organizational updates.
The organization remains committed to its mission:
"To preserve, celebrate, and share the rich history of amateur baseball while honoring the people and communities that built it."
Community members interested in becoming Founding Supporters, volunteers, or artifact donors are encouraged to contact the organization at babahalloffame@gmail.com or follow the Hall of Fame on Facebook for future announcements and opportunities to get involved.
Additional details regarding banquet tickets, the Founding Supporter Program, and the 2026 Hall of Fame class will be released in the coming weeks.
Board of Directors
Craig Brei, President
Alan "Wally" Breitenfeldt, Vice President
Jeremy Schoenike, Secretary/Treasurer
Contact Information
Email: babahalloffame@gmail.com
About the BABA Hall of Fame & Museum, Inc.
The BABA Hall of Fame & Museum, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the history and traditions of amateur baseball throughout BABA communities. Through recognition programs, historical preservation efforts, and future museum development, the organization seeks to ensure that the stories of players, coaches, volunteers, and supporters are remembered and shared with future generations.