Bartelt Elected To WSL Hall of Fame

            Jason Bartelt, who led
the Sheboygan A’s to two championships and was named the all-league shortstop
in all five of his seasons, was elected to the Wisconsin State Baseball League
Hall of Fame and will be inducted into the Hall on Saturday
night, Jan. 24, 2015 at the league’s Annual Awards and Hall of Fame Dinner in
Sheboygan.

            Bartelt becomes the second A’s shortstop to join the Hall
in as many years. Tom Gardner was inducted last year.

            Joining Bartelt in this year’s WSL Hall of Fame class are
Rich Graham, Addison, 1992-95, 1997-2000, Lombard, 1996;  Dave Halford, Madison, 1973, 1975-80;  Josh Krowiorz, Sheboygan, 1997-98, Manitowoc,
1999-2011, and Joe Shere, Janesville, 1998-2007, 2009.

            The 2014 class of five brings the number inducted to 38
since the charter class of 2007.

            Confident, hard-nosed and usually bleeding, Bartelt was a
favorite of A’s fans and a highly respected teammate.

            Dave Moyer, who coached Bartelt both at Lakeland College
and with the A’s said of his prize shortstop: “There may have been others
who competed as hard, cared as much about winning, or were as good a teammate
as Jason, but there were none better.  Everything is a team effort, but he
was always the integral part to every successful team that I ever managed or
coached that he was a part of.  It’s a lot of pressure to carry, but we
always figured he would come through when we needed him, and I don’t recall too
many times that he ever let any of us down.”

            Craig Kloes, who managed Bartelt with the A’s in 1999 and
2000, had glowing memories as well. “He played with a calmness that exuded
confidence which carried over to his teammates. He was clutch, both offensively
and defensively. He had the respect of his teammates and opponents alike,
because of the way he went about playing the game. It is always great to see toughness,
dedication, leadership ability and respect in a player.  Barty is/was all of these,” Kloes said. 

            The league’s Rookie of the Year in 1997 and MVP in 2000,
Bartelt led the Sheboygan A’s to championships in both those years. He was a
.379 career hitter, an average that ranks him sixth among all players with 700
or more plate appearances.

            Bartelt hit .434 in his rookie season and led the league
in runs scored and hits.  He hit .397 in
1998 and followed a sub-par (.316) season in 1999, with a robust league-leading
.421 2000 season.  He led the league and
set one-season records in games played, plate appearances and at bats in 1999.  He also led the league in stolen bases in 1999
and 2000 and doubles in 2000.  And he ranks
in the top 10 in several one season and career offensive and defensive lists.

            Bartelt, who is from Green Bay and played at Ashwaubenon
High School, is currently the Director of Athletics and Head Baseball Coach a
Marian University. He resides in Fond du Lac with his wife Ann and sons Casey
and Carter.

            “It is a tremendous honor,” Bartelt said. “It is
unbelievable to now be a part of the family of talented players that is
represented in this group.  The best
memories I have of playing with the Sheboygan A’s are all tied to the WSL and
the players that were in it. I am blessed to have played for the best
organization in the best league in the Midwest.”

            The dinner where the six will be inducted will be held
Saturday, Jan. 24, at Breaking Bread, 6451 S. Business Drive in Sheboygan.  Dinner is at 6 p.m., following a 4:30 p.m.
social hour.  The program will begin at 7
p.m.  Cost is $30 per person.  Reservations and payment must be received by
Jan 17. Make checks payable to Wisconsin State League and send to the WSL, PO
Box 32, Sheboygan, WI  53082-0032