Adults play hardball just for the fun of it (slide show)

ARLINGTON — John Weinkauf had never played organized baseball before.

By Brandon Adam • July 31, 2015 4:30 pm
John Wienkauf has never pitched for an organized baseball team before
John Wienkauf has never pitched for an organized baseball team before

ARLINGTON — John Weinkauf had never played organized baseball before. Not t-ball, Little League, Babe Ruth, American Legion or high school.

But at age 31 he’s playing on one of the four teams in the Arlington Aces adult baseball league. He has always thrown a ball, but never played on a team.

That’s a shame because he has a great arm, his teammates said.

“I’ve never been passionate about it,” he said.

Weinkauf, 31, works at Volant in Sedro-Woolley as an aerospace interiors specialist. His sport of choice is skateboarding, but his brother-in-law and teammate Steven Curley kept enticing Weinkauf to play.

“He’s got a good curveball and can throw fast,” Curley said.

Curley, 35, lives between Sedro-Woolley and Concrete and commutes to Everett to work for Boeing. He’s been in baseball leagues before, but wanted a place between his work and home.

It’s Curley and Weinkauf’s first time in the league, and they both enjoy it.

“I haven’t got hit yet,” Weinkauf said.

Others had great careers prior to joining, such as Tracy Wammack, who starred Lakewood High School. He has been in the league for five years.

He lettered a couple of times at his high school and played a bit at Skagit Valley, but eventually just focused on school. Now, 28, he works as a 911 dispatcher.

“It’s great to get out and play baseball any way we can,” he said.

Wammack appreciates the professionalism in the league.

“It would be difficult if it was just people arguing,” he added.

Another player is Jordan Stauffer whose “wife and baby get to watch too,” he said.

“You miss it once you graduate,” Stauffer said.

Stauffer, 24, works as a tugboat captain and likes to play for the Aces to stay fit and to socialize.

Younger players like Steven Cook, 20, are just happy to find a baseball league.

“There’s softball leagues, but it’s hard to come by a hard-ball league,” Cook said.

Cook graduated from Everett High School in 2013. He’s glad to continue playing.

“It’s not super competitive, and it’s not like an expensive traveling league,” Cook said.

The league is comprised of four teams with players coming from Stanwood, Lakewood and Arlington.

The four teams meet and play every Wednesday until Aug. 26 at Evans Field.