GBL Fat Cats Roster Profile

The 2016 NWLA Tournament is just weeks away and the Griffleball League is ready to reveal their squad who will travel to Ohio, the GBL Fat Cats. This will be the GBL's 5th year at the tournament, and they are getting closer to the title every year. Will this be the year they reach the top of the wiffleball world? In case you missed the video reveal (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDlJMNYvSU0), here is a more in-depth look at the roster.

JEREMY RATAJCZYK - #47

NWLA Experience: 5th Year
GBL Team: GasHouse Gorillas

Age: 26

Bats: L

Throws: R

Jeremy is the commissioner of the GBL and the captain of the Fat Cats. A career .393 hitter in NWLA Tournament play, Jeremy has made a name for himself in Ohio over the years. He had a down year last year in Ohio with just a .241 average and only 1 home run, but you can expect Jeremy to come back with a chip on his shoulder in 2016. He proved at this year's Regional that he is ready to bounce back by posting an OPS over 1.000. As always, Jeremy will be a staple in the middle of the GBL's lineup and will be relied upon to drive in runs throughout the tournament.

 RYAN GALIHER - #18

NWLA Experience: 2nd Year
GBL Team: GasHouse Gorillas

Age: 25

Bats: S

Throws: R

In his first ever NWLA Tournament last year, Ryan led the GBL with a .310 batting average. Ryan has the rare combination of speed and power. There might not be a faster player from home to first in the tournament; and although he only hit 2 home runs in 57 plate appearances last year in NWLA Tournament play, the GBL feels as if Ryan is ready to tap into his power in Ohio this year.

 JACKSON BUZEA - #5

NWLA Experience: 1st Year

GBL Team: Taka Drivers
Age: 25

Bats: R

Throws: R

Jackson has built up a reputation over the past few years as one of the "toughest outs" in the GBL. He won the GBL batting title in 2015, and will certainly be in the running again this year. Jackson made his NWLA debut at this year's Regional, and he did it all for the GBL. His OPS of 1.294 is unheard of for an NWLA rookie, and his pitching was no slouch either. He got the start against HWL and threw a complete game, 2-hitter for the victory. Jackson showed at Regionals that he deserves a spot at the top of the Fat Cats batting order in Ohio.

 RYAN VOGES - #25

NWLA Experience: 1st Year
GBL Team: Taka Drivers

Age: 24

Bats: R

Throws: R

Ryan joined the GBL in 2015 and took the league by storm, earning himself the Rookie of the Year award and establishing himself as one of the league's best pitchers. Ryan will head to Ohio with no NWLA Tournament experience, but the Fat Cats aren't worried. Ryan has one of the liveliest arms in the GBL, and the Fat Cats expect him to compete for a spot in the team's starting rotation at the tournament. Ryan is also one of the best fielders in the GBL, so he will see a lot of time in the outfield in Ohio.

 KYLE LIDSTER - #7

NWLA Experience: 4th Year

GBL Team: Taka Drivers

Age: 25

Bats: L

Throws: R

Although the GBL struggled at the NWLA Tournament in 2014, Kyle Lidster's performance was one of the story lines of the tournament. He allowed just 1 run in 16 and 2/3 innings pitched and it was unearned. Kyle walked just 4 batters out of the 61 he faced in Ohio, a ratio that is not easy to achieve. After a year off in 2015, he will return to Ohio this year as the GBL's ace pitcher.

 ANDREW FELDE - #34

NWLA Experience: 2nd Year

GBL Team: Bird Gang

Age: 20

Bats: R

Throws: R

Andrew is the youngest member of the Fat Cats and also the youngest player in the GBL. Andrew has already had some memorable games in what has been a brief NWLA career thus far. In 2015 at Nationals, he threw a complete game shutout with 10 strikeouts against SRL in pool play. This year at Regionals, he knocked off the 2-time defending champions, WSEM, with a complete game, 1-hitter. Andrew is expected to compete for a spot in the Fat Cats starting rotation in Ohio.

 NATE BRYAN - #15

NWLA Experience: 4th Year

GBL Team: Stallionaires

Age: 27

Bats: R

Throws: R

Nate has made a name for himself as one of the best fielders at the NWLA Tournament. You will be challenged to find a player who covers more ground in the outfield than Nate. Offensively, Nate has provided a lot of big hits over the years; but none bigger than his grand slam against the #1 seed SWBL in the 2nd round of double-elimination last year. Nate will once again be stationed in the heart of the GBL lineup in Ohio.

MATT KUNA - #9

NWLA Experience: 3rd Year

GBL Team: Stallionaires

Age: 27

Bats: R

Throws: R

Arguably the best pitcher in GBL history, Matt had to fill the void left by Kyle Lidster as the GBL's ace pitcher last year at the NWLA Tournament and he certainly answered the bell. Matt got the call in the 2nd game of double-elim play against the heavily-favored, offensive juggernaut SWBL and threw a complete game, 2-hitter with 15 strikeouts. Matt struck out more than half of the batters he faced in the 2015 tournament and walked less than 10% of them. Matt's role on the Fat Cats pitching staff in Ohio this year is unknown at the moment, but you can guarantee that he will be asked to get big outs in big games.