The Origin of WooshBall
Co-founder Mike Jirik was on vacation playing tennis when a young family assembled on the ball field next to the court. The parents handed the little tikes a tennis racket to use as a bat, and they had a blast smacking the ball all over the field. Mike thought, wait a second, why not make a bat that used strings as the barrel and get a similar result? He conveyed the concept to his innovator colleague Tazio Grivetti who whipped up several designs and 3D printed prototypes. Over a dozen iterations followed, each tested with real-world players. Then Tazio realized that to truly change the game, new rules were needed.
The Origin of WooshBall
Co-founder Mike Jirik was on vacation playing tennis when a young family assembled on the ball field next to the court. The parents handed the little tikes a tennis racket to use as a bat, and they had a blast smacking the ball all over the field. Mike thought, wait a second, why not make a bat that used strings as the barrel and get a similar result? He conveyed the concept to his innovator colleague Tazio Grivetti who whipped up several designs and 3D printed prototypes. Over a dozen iterations followed, each tested with real-world players. Then Tazio realized that to truly change the game, new rules were needed.
Meet the WooshBall Team
Besides keeping her male counterparts on track and carrying the weight of the team’s good looks, Shannon brings a competitive drive, public-facing focus, and an air of refinement to the team.
A lover of recreational play, but by no means a professional athlete, Shannon loves how WooshBall blends both worlds, inviting people like her — and so many others — to enjoy a new way to play.
SHANNON JIRIK
CEO - Director of Marketing Strategy
After nearly 31 years working for a large corporation, Mike decided it was time for a change. Bringing a fun idea to life for others‘ enjoyment had always been a dream and one he could finally pursue. With the constant support of his wonderful wife and amazing family, Mike is thrilled to be an instrumental part of bringing WooshBall and the WooshBat to the world so that anyone and everyone who plays or watches can have a crazy fun time together!
MIKE JIRIK
Co-Founder - Business Development & Operations
Tazio Grivetti grew up playing baseball in the hot Illinois summers, on a dirt field strewn with rocks - on a team that wore old blue jeans and a t-shirt for a uniform - and it was a fantastic time. Then, grade school ended...and never played again. To him, Wooshball is the mechanism to deliver a great amount of FUN to the greatest number of people, young and old. His 27 years specializing in innovation for a Fortune 100 company, with dozens of patents filed are emblematic of his creative nature.
TAZIO GRIVETTI
Co-Founder - Product Development