Mark Rubel, wiffleball

Mark Rubel is a gamer -- "a prime-time player," Dick Vitale might say.

But basketball isn't where he excels, at least not any more. He's more focused on wiffleball these days.

Two years ago Rubel sponsored his own tournament in his own back yard. Home-field advantage paid off as Rubel put on a show in the championship, belting a game-tying home run and following with a walk-off game-winning home run in the next at-bat.

A year later Rubel, playing at another local field, led his team to another championship by sparking an eight-run third inning with a home run.

In 2002, Rubel swung a magic bat again in the final inning with two outs, his team down four, and two runners on. The ball carried over the fence but was brought back in.

"Honestly, I didn't think it was going over, but when it did and when he caught it, I was pretty upset," Rubel said.

Clutch performances have been in Rubel's blood since high school when he played basketball at Notre Dame High School

Rubel played basketball at Notre Dame for four years before graduating in 2001. He was a co-captain in his senior year and helped lead his team to its first district championship in six years.

Pressure was no stranger to Rubel, now 20.

"Basketball is much more intense, and much more a mind game. But I'm just as competitive when it comes to wiffleball. The desire to win is the same. I want to win everything I do," Rubel said.

Wiffleball was no stranger, either.

"I have been playing with my brother since I was 10. Then I started playing with my friends in high school and I just never lost, so I kept playing," Rubel said, laughing.

The wiffleballer's future plans include creating a new field when he finds a house that has the right sized back yard.

"I'm renting the house based on its back yard. And when I get the house, the field is going to have bleachers, lights, everything. I already have all the equipment."

Rubel says he hopes to have a full season scheduled, complete with the playoffs, a world series and an all-star game.

"The ultimate dream would be to have my own stadium, a place where fans would come and watch. We would play a league, have trades and free agents," Rubel wonders on.

Whether the dream comes true or not, two things are for certain.

"I will always be carrying a wiffleball," he said, "and I will always be swinging for the fences."

-- David Unterreiner