Indy Thunder Complete Perfect Season to Capture Sixth NBBA World Series Championship

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA)
Contact: Richie Flores, President – President@nbba.org

Indy Thunder Complete Perfect Season to Capture Sixth NBBA World Series Championship

Edwardsville & Caseyville, IL – August 1, 2025
The National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA) proudly announces that the Indy Thunder are the 2025 Beep Baseball World Series champions, capping off a flawless 26–0 season and claiming their sixth championship title. The Thunder’s dominance was on full display in Illinois, where they overcame intense competition and historic heat to once again etch their name in beep baseball history.
This year’s World Series faced significant challenges, including extreme heat that pushed the heat index to 113 degrees and unexpected venue changes. Thanks to schedule adjustments, determination, and an outstanding volunteer corps, all games were completed safely and successfully under the leadership of NBBA first Vice President and Tournament Director Cassie Hopkins. We thank Cassie for all of her hard work, grit, and dedication to the sport of beep baseball and the NBBA.

The communities of Edwardsville and Caseyville, Illinois, warmly welcomed the NBBA, providing facilities and volunteers that were key to the success of the event.

A Week of Competition and Community

This year’s World Series brought together 19 teams from across the globe, including the much-anticipated return of the Taiwan Homerun, who last attended in 2018. Taiwan placed 7th overall, earned the coveted Sportsmanship Award, and celebrated as their pitcher Leo Lin and catcher Chen-Kuang Wang were officially inducted into the NBBA Hall of Fame at the awards banquet.

The tournament featured four home runs:
• Dustin Youngren (Chicago Comets)
• Kyle Lewis (Indy Thunder)
• Zach Buhler (Indy Thunder)
• Zion Prince (Gateway Archers)

A defensive highlight came from Alex Quick (BCS Outlaws), who turned an incredible double play during the week.

Champions and Standout Performances

The Indy Thunder swept the top honors, led by Zach Buhler, who earned Offensive MVP with a record-breaking .900 batting average—the highest ever recorded in NBBA history. The Thunder also captured the Best Pitcher/Catcher Combo Award, with Jared Woodard and Darnell Booker finishing with an extraordinary 9.35% strikeout percentage.
The Gateway Archers, representing the host city region, earned the Spotter Award, as Orlando Gonzalez, Shayy Morris, and John Walker combined for a stellar 63.64% fielding percentage.
We also congratulate the Northeast Dynamic Divas, winners of the 2025 Women of Our League exhibition game, and extend recognition to the many additional award winners and new Hall of Fame inductees celebrated this year.

Gratitude to Hosts and Partners

The NBBA extends heartfelt thanks to our co-hosts MindsEye and the St. Louis Lighthouse for the Blind, whose support helped deliver two consecutive world-class World Series tournaments.
A special moment came when General Wilson delivered a powerful rendition of the national anthem before the championship game.
The NBBA is also grateful to the St. Louis Cardinals for their ongoing partnership and support of beep baseball. Cardinals’ beloved mascot Fredbird delighted attendees by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.
Additional thanks go to the St. Louis Airport Marriott, which graciously served as the host hotel for the second straight year, and to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) for opening their outstanding facilities to our teams.
The NBBA also thanks The Delta Gamma Foundation for their generous grant, which helped fund our officials and score keepers.

Looking Ahead

The NBBA is already preparing for the 50th Anniversary Beep Baseball World Series, which will be held August 2–8, 2026, in Aurora, Illinois. The milestone event, hosted by the DuPage County Sports Commission, promises to be a celebration of five decades of competition, community, and the transformative power of adaptive sport.

About the NBBA:

The National Beep Baseball Association (NBBA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and expanding the sport of beep baseball for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Founded in 1976, the NBBA provides opportunities for competitive play, community building, and empowerment through sport.
For more information, visit www.nbba.org.