Marty Skutnik

Career Overview

Martin “Marty” George Skutnik competed from 1984 through 2006 and remained the heart of the Cleveland Scrappers program for nearly three decades. Marty was an exceptional all-around athlete whose competitive spirit shaped not only his team but the broader NBBA community. He passed away September 10, 2013.

Marty played primarily for the Cleveland Scrappers and appeared with Chicago Insight at the 1993 World Series. Across 80 documented World Series games, he compiled 276 at-bats, 155 runs, 109 putouts, and an outstanding .562 career batting average.

His impact extended far beyond statistics. Marty was a player, manager, leader, mentor, and one of the foundational figures in establishing the Scrappers as a respected NBBA program.

World Series Excellence

Marty earned World Series All-Star recognition twice:

• 1992 at St. Louis Park, MN with a .694 batting average and 24 putouts
• 2001 at Cleveland, OH with a .694 batting average

His World Series résumé includes a remarkable .895 batting average in 1990 and consistent high-level production throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Tournament Honors

In addition to his World Series success, Marty earned numerous regional and invitational honors, including:

• 1987, 1988, and 1990 Eastern Regional at Binghamton, NY
• 1999 Offensive honor at the Ohio Invitational in Columbus, OH
• 2000 MVP with a .619 batting average at the Viper Classic in Columbus
• 2001 Offensive honor with a .727 batting average and 19 putouts at the Viper Classic
• 2003 MVP at the Viper Classic and MVP at the Indy Thunder Tournament
• 2005 Offensive honors at Bolingbrook, IL and the Viper Classic, along with 16 putouts

He was also the 1997 Jim Quinn Award recipient, recognizing his leadership and service to the league.

Athletic Background and Adapted Sports

Marty was a gifted athlete long before beep baseball. In high school, he experienced sudden partial vision loss while playing junior varsity basketball and lost the remainder of his sight on the morning of his graduation.

After enrolling at Cleveland State University in 1976, Marty became deeply involved in adapted sports. From 1980 to 1984, he excelled in track and field at USABA Nationals, winning medals in shot put and discus in the Class A totally blind division. He also competed in goalball.

His love for baseball, however, never faded. After learning about beep baseball through Michael Berwald and the Cleveland Telephone Pioneers program, Marty joined in 1981 and quickly embraced the sport’s competitive potential.

Building the Cleveland Scrappers

Inspired by their experiences, Marty and teammates formed the Cleveland Scrappers in late 1983 and fielded their first team in 1984. Under Marty’s leadership as player-manager, the Scrappers grew steadily in strength and confidence.

Winning the 1987 Eastern Regional at Binghamton gave the team the momentum to join the NBBA. Their first World Series appearance in 1987 resulted in an 0-4 record, but Marty saw it as a valuable learning experience. He believed playing the best would make them better.

His leadership style was defined by quiet intensity and example. In a 1989 interview with the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Marty said, “It’s just like any amateur team. We go out to do our best and have a heck of a lot of fun trying.” That sentiment captured his approach to competition.

Family and Support

Marty’s brother, Richard “Dr. Skutty” Skutnik, served for years as the team’s primary sighted volunteer, driver, catcher, and equipment repairman. Marty’s wife Sherry and their children, David and Audrey, were constant supporters of the Scrappers.

Legacy

Marty Skutnik combined talent, determination, and leadership in a way that helped elevate Cleveland into a respected NBBA program. His .562 career World Series batting average, All-Star honors, Jim Quinn Award recognition, and decades of service reflect a life devoted to competition and community.

His support of the NBBA and the Scrappers continued until his untimely passing. His example, competitive fire, and commitment to excellence continue to inspire those who follow.