Pickleball and Baseball Unite: Wichita’s Chicken N Pickle hosted a special pickleball tournament Saturday morning to celebrate the city’s long-standing National Baseball Congress (NBC) event, marking 90 years of history. The fundraiser aimed to support the next generation of baseball players through clinics, tournaments, and events.
A Community Celebration of Baseball and Pickleball
Jessica Viramontez, a local resident, spoke about the significance of the NBC event.
“I grew up going to the NBC, my brother played in the NBC, and everyone knows what the NBC is. That’s what you did in the summer here in Wichita,” (Jessica Viramontez).
The NBC has become a major part of the city’s identity, and this year’s celebration combined the excitement of pickleball with the historic baseball tournament.
Katie Woods, the director of the NBC tournament, emphasized how quickly pickleball has gained popularity. She saw the event as the perfect opportunity to fundraise for the future of baseball in Wichita.
“To have 90 years of an event in one city… we’re one of the largest running sports events in the country and maybe in the world,” (Katie Woods),
expressing her excitement for the celebration.
Challenges for Hutchinson Monarchs
Casey Lippoldt, head coach of the Hutchinson Monarchs, also shared his team’s experiences. The Monarchs won last year’s World Series but faced many challenges during the season. Originally planned to have 18 pitchers, the team started with only eight, forcing Lippoldt and his coaching staff to adapt quickly.
“One of the toughest things was figuring out who could do what,”, describing the season’s challenges. (Casey Lippoldt)
Supporting the Future of Baseball
The proceeds from Sunday’s event will go towards supporting local baseball players, helping fund clinics, tournaments, and other youth programs. The pickleball tournament brought together the Wichita community to celebrate a historic sports tradition while helping ensure future generations have access to the resources needed to grow in the sport.
As the NBC celebrates its 90th year, the event demonstrated the continued passion for baseball in Wichita, while also embracing the excitement of new sports like pickleball. With this fundraiser, the future of baseball in the city looks bright.
News in Brief: Pickleball and Baseball Unite
Wichita’s Chicken N Pickle hosted a special pickleball tournament to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the National Baseball Congress (NBC). The event raised funds to support the next generation of baseball players through clinics and tournaments. NBC director Katie Woods highlighted pickleball’s growing popularity, while coach Casey Lippoldt of the Hutchinson Monarchs shared challenges from the past season. Proceeds will help fund youth baseball programs, ensuring a bright future for the sport in Wichita.
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