For the first time in the 7+ year existence of the GBL, the league has recruited a player from another NWLA-sanctioned wiffleball league, as the GasHouse Gorillas have signed former WSEM member Alex Shore.
Shore spent five seasons in Wiffle In Southeast Michigan from 2011-2015 before retiring from the league in 2016. Shore earned trips to the WSEM All Star Game, in 2011 and 2014. After one year away from the game, it appears Shore is ready to play wiffleball again, but with a different league.
"I have weighed out some options, and I have been leaning on one in particular. Can you say, rock, chalk, blacktop? #LetsBringTheGasToTheHouse" Shore said on choosing to join the GBL over other NWLA leagues. He will join the league's most prolific franchise, the GasHouse Gorillas, who have won the last five GBL World Series titles. Although his availability will be limited throughout the GBL season, he will certainly serve as a nice compliment to an already loaded roster that already includes the league's reigning MVP Jeremy Ratajczyk and the league's reigning Cy Young award winner Jim Tucker, among other talented Griffleball players.
On the NWLA front, Shore is also excited at the opportunity to try out for another league that participates at the national tournament. "If I were to return to action in the NWLA (Tournament), it would be the same player in a new place. Having retired from WSEM, I feel that I could be of use to other leagues in need of roster improvement."
The GBL announced earlier this month that Ratajczyk has stepped down as the league's NWLA manager and handed the managerial duties over to Tyler Walk. Ratajczyk stated that the change was made to "spice things up" and create a more competitive atmosphere for the team. If Walk chooses to add Shore to the GBL's NWLA roster in 2017, then Shore could certainly help show Walk what it takes to be a successful NWLA manager. Shore managed and played on both of WSEM's NWLA Tournament champion teams in 2014 and 2015.
