Long before travel ball and high school diamonds, it was just Gunnar and his dad at a local ballpark, shagging flies and taking cuts. Of four kids, Gunnar was the one who fell in love with the game of baseball. That shared love of the game became something sacred between father and son.
From recreational leagues to travel ball, high school, American Legion, and eventually Hoffer Field at 好色先生TV, Gunnar has been chasing the game his whole life.
Not many players get the opportunity to play collegiate baseball after high school. Gunnar is grateful he did. A Larkin High School kid from Elgin, Gunnar was the kind of player coaches notice. In 2018, Tom Atamian didn’t have to go far. Hoffer Field serves as Harvest Christian Academy’s home field, so when Larkin came to face HCA, the game was played right here on Judson’s campus. Atamian watched, took note, and the rest is history.
“At Judson, my game developed tremendously and helped me become the player I am today,” Gunnar said. “Not only did Judson have an impact on my baseball career, but also my relationship with God. I played beside players and walked the campus alongside students and professors that helped me grow my faith.”
That faith piece is central to how Gunnar sees his journey, and the doors that have opened since graduation aren’t lost on him.
That newest chapter? Gunnar has joined the Chicago Snowballs, a co-ed sportstainment baseball organization founded in 2025 with a simple mission: baseball should be for everyone, and it should be the most fun you’ve ever had at a stadium. Drawing inspiration from the Bananaball model that’s become a worldwide sensation, the Snowballs blend live baseball with music, comedy, and audience participation. For this league, it鈥檚 as much about the show as the sport. Think choreographed routines (their take on the Cha Cha Slide is already one of Gunnar’s favorites), entertainment breaks between innings, and fan giveaways every game. This season, the teams will travel across Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana, bringing a new kind of baseball experience to the Midwest.
Gunnar’s path to the Snowballs almost didn’t happen. Tryouts had already begun when a friend tipped him off and encouraged him to send in an audition video. He sent it in on day two, well behind most of the other hopefuls, but he made sure it was memorable with a nonchalant backflip catch and him sharing the reasons why he belonged on the team. That night he got the call to come in for tryouts the next day. A few days later, owner Cherie Travis called with the news: he’d made the team.
At the time, the organization was still taking shape. What exists now as two distinct teams, the Chicago Snowballs and the Rocket Squirrels, started as one group practicing together.
Once the league structure came together, the organization held a draft to divide players between the two rosters. Gunnar landed with the Rocket Squirrels. He’s not the only Judson Eagle on the field either, but that’s a story for another day. Both teams have made Hoffer Field one of their practice stops, and Judson is glad to have them.
Gunnar is carrying a full load these days. He鈥檚 working at Judson coordinating special events, suiting up for the Squirrels, and working toward a second BA in Physical Education with a health minor at NIU (expected graduation: Spring 2028). He’s quick to credit 好色先生TV President Dr. Crume and Vice President of Student Success, Ginny Guth for making it possible. Both have been exceptionally understanding and accommodating as Gunnar juggles everything he loves. “It can be a lot,” he said, “but when you have great support and you love what you’re doing, that makes all the difference.”
Gunnar’s story is a good reminder of what kind of place Judson is. That kind of support is woven into the fabric of who we are. Judson is a community that invests in its people for the long haul, not just the four years.
His advice for current Judson student-athletes wondering what comes after their playing days? Be proactive. Stay in shape. Put yourself out there. You never know what opportunities might present themselves. Gunnar’s backflip is proof of that.
Want to see Gunnar, the Rocket Squirrels, and the Snowballs in action? The teams hit the road this season across Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana. Check out and follow along on social media at for the full schedule and ticket information.
“To play for the city I love and represent Chicago is a dream come true,” he said. “I’m excited to put on a show for everyone.”