2023 Male Player: Ryan Thiede

This North Aurora first baseman/Additional Hitter started playing slowpitch after playing college baseball. In 2002 he started participating in local leagues. In 2003 he played C/D with Icehouse Dogs and the Fury. By 2004 Ryan made the jump to Class B with a local team, Creative Design. After one season with Creative he joined the Rope Club.  

After the 2005 season he was asked to play with KA Softball where he stayed for two seasons. This was the turning point in his USSSA Conference career. 

In 2008 Ryan joined Rope Club (A/B) in which he was 5th in the nation with a .773 on base percentage earning him All Conference honors. After the 2008 Men’s Major World Series Ryan was approached by John Daniels of Long Haul Softball Club a Major team. After one season with Long Haul, he was asked to play for one of the most premier teams in Major ball at the time, Dan Smith Softball out of California. With Dan Smith he represented Louisville Slugger and marked a .763 on base percentage earning him first team All-Conference honors.  

After an unexpected split Ryan transitioned back to Class A playing for long time sponsor (2018 IL USSSA Hall of Famer in the Sponsor Category), Eric Weller of EWS. In that year this slugger hit .750 placing him in the top ten in the nation once again.  

After putting up those numbers Ryan was asked to play Major softball once again by National USSSA Hall of Famer, Brett Helmer of Laser Vision Softball. There Ryan played two years winning a Major World Series in 2013.  

2014 would mark his last season of Conference softball and local team, Precision of Joliet, ran by fellow 2017 IL Hall of Famer William Wax. In his last season Ryan would win his second World Seies Championship earning All World Tournament honors. 

From 2006-2014 Ryan was a 16-time All-Tournament Team member and a two time All World Tournament selection. Ryan also served as a player representative for bat manufactures, Louisville Slugger, Miken Sports, and Easton Sports.