By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
Bret Whiffen is a senior at Green Bay Southwest High School playing baseball.
Whiffen, a right-handed pitcher, plans to attend NAIA Division I William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa.
He will study exercise science and play baseball.
In his spare time, Whiffen likes to spend time with his family and friends.
Name: Bret Whiffen
Nickname: Whiff
School: Green Bay Southwest
Sport: Baseball
Positions: Pitcher, infield, outfield
Parents: Mike and Debbie
Twitter: @BigWiffa19
Tell me about your family.
“I have a younger brother named Brady who is 11, my dad is from Green Bay and my mom is from Denmark.”
Do you come from a sports family?
“Brady is starting to get into baseball, my dad played baseball, soccer and basketball in high school and my mom wasn’t into sports too much.”
Is there a high school sport you wish you had played?
“I wish I had played football.”
What’s it like playing for coach Tate McMillan?
“He expects a lot of his players, which I like a lot. With the short amount of time he’s been here (two years), he is doing good things. We are expecting to give it a good run at conference this season. He played his college baseball at Tennessee Tech.”
How frustrating is it having an April snowstorm?
“We got four games in before the April 11 snow, but it’s a little frustrating. Last year, we didn’t get any games in before the mid-April storm.”
You’re a pitcher. Talk about your pre-game warm-up and post-game routine.
“Before the game, I like to listen to music and get myself hyped up. As a team, we stretch and throw. I also throw about 20 pitches in the bullpen. After the game, I get ice on my shoulder as quickly as I can. Pitching is taxing on your arm.”
What are your main pitches, and how hard can you throw?
“I throw a fastball, changeup and a curve. I’m throwing in the low- to mid-‘80s.”
Talk about the recruiting process and how you ended up at William Penn.
“You really have to advertise yourself. I filled out a lot of college questionnaires, did lots of research and sent a ton of emails to coaches. You have to be proactive.”
Did you have other offers?
“I was also looking at UW-Superior and another school in Iowa, but I saw myself fitting in better at William Penn.”
What is your most memorable sports moment?
“When I was 12 and hit my first home run in a Little League game.”
Do you have a most embarrassing sports moment?
“In Little League when I was catching, there was a ball that got past me. The clips on the shin guards got locked up, so my legs got locked up. I tripped and fell.”
Name a person who has made a big impact on your life.
“My dad. He has always given me good advice in baseball and in life. He’s a role model to me.”
What three words best describe you?
“Hard-working, friendly, energetic.”
Do you have any bad habits?
“I procrastinate a little.”
Name three things you will miss about Southwest.
“My friends, the environment and my coach – he’s taught me a lot.”
How will Bret Whiffen be remembered at Southwest?
“Hopefully not just as a kid who played baseball, but as someone who was really nice and polite.”
Alaska for nature or Florida for warmth?
“Florida for warmth.”
Lie on the beach or ski down the slopes?
“Ski down the slopes.”
Read the book or watch the movie?
“Watch the movie.”
Carpet or hardwood?
“Carpet.”
Fruits or veggies?
“Fruits.”
Favorites
Athlete: Mike Trout
Candy: Peanut M&M’s
Holiday: Thanksgiving
Restaurant: Buffalo Wild Wings
Color: Blue