Bill Niswander Memorial Scholarship
Bill Niswander worked tirelessly for many years, using baseball as a means to shape young people into the adults they would become. Each summer, Smithville Diamonds hosts a baseball tournament to honor his memory and carry on his life’s work. Proceeds from these tournaments are being set aside to fund an annual scholarship in Bill’s name to further develop the young people he cared so much about.
In 2025, Smithville Diamonds is granting up to four $500 scholarships to high school seniors from the Bloomington area that have been positively influenced by youth baseball / softball. To receive consideration for the Bill Niswander Memorial Scholarship, Seniors who graduate in May 2025 and are incoming college Freshman in Fall 2025 must submit the following:
- Body of Email (sent to [email protected])
- Name, address, phone number and email address
- College or University attending Fall 2025
- Planned Course of Study
- Youth baseball/Softball League you participated
- Years or Ages participated in youth baseball/softball
- Essay (attachment to email)
- 1,500 words or less
- Theme: “Baseball/Softball taught me…
Email and essay must be received by August 1, 2025. Please email submissions to [email protected] with the title "2025 Niswander Scholarship"
By submitting an essay, the student gives Smithville Diamonds Little League permission to use the essay, or excerpts from the essay, for promotional purposes in marketing material.