Karla Jessen Gunnlaugsson, affectionately known as the ‘Screen Ball Lady,’ has become a fixture of the Door County League, her booming cry of ‘Screen Ball!’ resonating from the stands of Washington Island’s home games. For years the Islanders have sported T‑shirts emblazoned with the phrase, a tribute that cements her place in the region’s baseball folklore.
Her love of the game traces back to a childhood spent in a baseball‑themed bar, where her father, a lifelong fan, would bellow at umpires while serving patrons. That environment nurtured a fierce competitive spirit that would later translate into a distinctive on‑field ritual.
The Roots of a Ritual
The ‘Screen Ball!’ chant itself owes a debt to former Yankees reliever Ryne Duren, whose warm‑up pitches inspired the move, and later to the 1989 film *Major League*, which immortalized the gesture as the character Wild Thing. When a runner occupies second base, Gunnlaugsson unleashes the shout, turning a simple play into a theatrical moment that has defined countless games.
The intensity of the Kolberg‑Washington Island rivalry has made such razzing a common thread, but league officials have begun to frown upon extreme taunting. Umpires like Bill Shaw, once a staple of the circuit, now face a dwindling pool of willing officials as the culture shifts toward more respectful conduct.
While the tradition persists in the Islanders’ wardrobe and the memories of longtime fans, the league is navigating a delicate balance between honoring its history and adapting to a newer expectation of sportsmanship. The evolving dynamics underscore both the enduring influence of one woman’s voice and the broader challenge of preserving the game’s spirit.