East Side business team defends title in second-annual World Serious softball game

The 2024 World Serious softball game was played last Friday night at the Whitesboro High School baseball stadium. For the second straight year, the East siders came away victorious – this time by a much wider margin. Last year’s audience saw a final score of 12-9. This year’s game was a lopsided 25-13 drubbing.

Around 200 people came out to watch the contest on a clear, hot evening. The West siders (in white) consisted of Brian Collman, Superintendent Ryan Harper, Bailey Nelson, Brandi Hesse, Jessica Hughes, Kayla Treadway, Michael Parish, Whitney Seitz, Mary Nelson, Rebekah Bartush, JP Bratcher, Trace Treadway and Chris Seitz. The team was managed by Amber Parish.

The East siders (in maroon) consisted of Tanner Allred, Dalton Fallaw, Mike Burkleo, Scout Sanders, JC Bomar, Ryan Ferguson, Shawn Ablett, Matt Pike, Jeff Bruce, Scarlett Westbrook, Savannah Humphrey, Shea Fallaw, Joe Westbrook and Matthew Humphrey. The team was managed by Parish’s twin sister, Heather Burkleo.

The game was officiated by umpires Brandon Beckett and Gary Logan.

Mayor Dave Blaylock threw out the first pitch at 7:30 p.m. 

The scoring started quickly with the East putting seven runs on the board in the bottom of the first inning, and led 15-2 after the first three frames. 

The World Serious includes sudden rule changes that complicate the game and lead to comical moments. This year’s matchup had players running bases backwards, kicking a kickball for one at-bat, hitting with their non-dominant hand and some audience participation that earned their team extra runs. 
Highlights included West side player Jeff Bruce collecting three triples on the day, some spectacular defensive plays by city inspector Dalton Fallaw, and a big-whiff strikeout by Mike Burkleo.

The Whitesboro Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the event and presented prizes for contest winners. Fans took home vouchers to Golden Chick, family pool passes, T-shirts, and a cake from Chamber member Nothing Bundt Cakes in Sherman. Chillie Willy’s shaved ice was on hand with frozen treats, while Legend Bank had a table to distribute bottled waters and cardboard fans. Whitesboro ISD graciously supplied the uniforms and use of the ballpark.

This contest kicked off the Founder’s Day celebration that continued the following day. 

The World Serious game has been held since 1915 in Whitesboro. Beginning in the Vaudeville days, the game was known for its comedy, pranks and tongue-in-cheek rivalries. 
After a decades-long hiatus, the World Serious was brought back into play for last year’s Sesquicentennial Celebration.