Inside the GBL 2017 - Episode Four - Opening Day Recap

With one week of Griffleball in the books your host, Tyler Walk, discusses what happened on Opening Day and previews next weeks action. He also dives a bit into the National Wiffleball news.

Griffleball Week One Power Rankings and Players of the Week

Wiffleball is back in Northwest Indiana. Griffleball has made it to its eighth season on Sunday and the league congregated to Sheppard Park for opening day. With a full slate of games, it was each teams first chance to prove themselves in the 2017 season. The afternoon games featured a first round playoff rematch from last season, Taka Drivers and Bird Gang. Taka was one game away from winning the World Series last season and I bet they were eager to get back to business. On the other hand, the Bird Gang had a chance to get revenge after being eliminated by Taka last season. The evening set featured the expansion Diggers Dudes and the Nighttime Ninjas, who usually feast on opening day. Sunday Night Griffleball honored the five time champion Gashouse Gorillas and they subsequently played the Ducks on the Ponds. Even though the lights cut opening week short (9:17 PM), opening day was entertaining and there should be more to look forward to as the season progress. Let's see who trending after opening on this week's weekly power rankings.

GRIFFLEBALL POWER RANKINGS

1. Gashouse Gorillas (1-0)(--)

The Gashouse Gorillas got off to a fast start in their first action on the Sunday Night Griffleball. They score four runs in the first inning against the Duck but couldn't put up another run for the rest of the night. Those four runs was all they needed in game one due to another superb start from Jim Tucker. The second game was postponed and Gashouse is still looking for its first runs since the first inning of game one. If their pitching continues on this path, it could be another long season for the rest of Griffleball.

2. Taka Drivers (2-0)(--)

Even without Jackson Buzea, the Taka Drivers swept the Bird Gang. Both Ryan Voges and Chris Bartley contributed and excelled in their first chance back to the Janke Cage. Their arms combined to only give up one run on Sunday. and scored eight in their decisive performance. Out of all the teams on Sunday, Taka looked to be in mid-season form and could contend with Gashouse for the top spot in the regular season. 

3. Nighttime Ninjas (1-1)(--)

It's tough to lose a game by one run. It was even more difficult for the Nighttime Ninjas who lost their first game without giving up a hit. But, the Ninjas found a way to win in their second game despite a rough start to 2017. With the return of Ethan Arvay and the addition of Matt Kuna, the Ninjas offense could not find its explosiveness. Mike Kubacki led the way with four of the teams total six hits. I expect their offense to come around soon. Good news, they only gave up one run the whole series. 

4. Ducks on the Pond (0-1)(Up 1)

The Ducks lost their opener and have also yet to score a run this season. Their offense has struggled to get any momentum but that could be expected facing the five time champs. They had trouble scoring runs last season but don't expect it to continue as the season progresses. They still have a shot to split a series with Gashouse and it is because of the Ducks pitching. Mark Blount, Zach Duvnjak, and Chris Diehl have pitched eight scoreless innings and look to continue that trend next week.

5. Digger Dudes (1-1)(Up 1)

The Digger Dudes shocked the Ninjas in game one by being patient and waiting for their pitches. They won a game without a hit and let the game come to them. They impressed in their first series and it looks like they have some good arms. Nick Bobowski and Peter Sepulveda shutout an experienced Ninjas team. If they pitch well during the season, they could put themselves in a lot of winning situations. The only concern is whether their offense can capitalize on a weekly basis. 

6. Bird Gang (0-2)(Down 2)

In a tough opening day series, the Bird Gang pitching gave up fifteen hits to Taka. Their offense was not much better, as they totaled only four all day. This is not a welcome sign for the Bird Gang. as they were in the bottom three offense last season. Their arms were able to win a lot of games in years prior and they may fall there again. They will have to find a way to rebound against the defending champs next week or suffer an 0-4 start.

GRIFFLEBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Hitter of the Week

Chris Bartley

2 Games .588 AVG (10/17) 2 HR 6 RBI 4 BB

Pitcher of the Week

Jim Tucker

1 Game 1-0 3.5 IP 1 HA 5 SO

WEEK TWO

3PM/4PM - Nighttime Nijas at Ducks on the Pond

5PM/6PM - Gashouse Gorillas at Bird Gang

7PM/8PM - Digger Dudes at Taka Drivers

WIFFLE OUT!

Sunday Night Griffleball - Ducks on the Pond at Gashouse Gorillas - Week...

Griffleball Preseason Power Rankings and Stat Projections

It is almost that time of the year again. Griffleball is just a few days away and the Griffle Grounds is ready for some wiffle action. Week One is right around the corner and the defending champions are looking to hoist another banner. While the other teams in the league would like to change their fortunes and dethrone the champs. They are two teams who I believe are worthy (besides Gashouse) who can win it all this year. They are the Taka Drivers and Nighttime Ninjas. The Taka Drivers were just one game away last season and they want to get rid of the awful taste of defeat that is still lingering. On the other hand, the Nighttime Ninjas came on strong at the end of last season and added a few more pieces that could help them accomplish their goal. Even though I believe that those are the only two teams who have a realistic shot at defeating Gashouse, you can never count out any team. The Bird Gang are looking to make the playoffs for a second straight season and came within one game of making the World Series. The Ducks on the Pond are trying to make their first postseason in their second season. Last but not least, the expansion team, the Digger Dudes, are trying to show the GBL that they could be the next expansion team to watch out for. It should be a fun ride for Griffleball's eighth season. Outreach on may social media websites is growing and sponsorship continues to grow. If you did not see the commissioners new announcement, (https://www.facebook.com/178315048884574/videos/1281460061903395/) he mentions that Bridge's Scoreboard will be hosting the 2017 Home Run Derby and All-Star Game. We also still have Biliztik Sports who approached us last season. It is a good time to be not only Griffleball fan, but a wiffleball fan as well, since many of the leagues in the country are starting soon. Stay tuned to the blog for weekly updates and follow me on Twitter at @TWalkGBL, follow our Facebook Page, and check out the league website at http://leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=griffleball. Can't wait to see everyone on Sunday!

PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS

(And Player Stat Projections)

1. Gashouse Gorillas (2016 - 15-5 - Won World Series)

No surprise here as the five time defending champions take my preseason top spot. They have the main core returning (Rat, Tuck, Galiher) and added John Reyna, when available. When a team has both the MVP (Jeremy Ratajczyk) and Cy Young (Jim Tucker) winners and have another bat with the caliber of Galiher, it is easy to see why they rarely lose. Gashouse is always in the playoffs with their great hitting and good pitching combination. Expect them to easily make the playoffs once again. There is a great chance they could make another run to a banner.

STAT PROJECTIONS

(*IP Based on 20 Games=100 IP)

Jeremy Ratajczyk 

20 Games .488 AVG 19 HR 55 RBI 

4-2 44 IP 2.98 ERA 35 SO

Jim Tucker

14 Games .495 AVG 12 HR 31 RBI

8-1 33 IP 1.12 ERA 59 SO

Ryan Galiher

14 Games .380 AVG 16 HR 25 RBI

2-2 18 IP 5.14 ERA 9 SO

John Reyna

6 Games .297 AVG 2 HR 8 RBI

0-1 5 IP 4.25 ERA 4 SO

2. Taka Drivers (2016 - 12-8 - Lost in WS in 7)

After losing another series to the Gashouse Gorillas, the Taka Drivers look to have the best shot at beating the champs once again. They also have every core member returning (Buzz, Voges, Bartley) and they were one win away from winning their first championship. I expect their hitting numbers to improve entering their third season making them that more dangerous. All three of the Taka Drivers are strong in every facet of Griffleball. They are interchangeable parts that most teams wish they could have. The Taka Drivers are going to have to take their play up just one more level if they want to get past their rivals (Gashouse).

STAT PROJECTIONS

Ryan Voges

20 Games .415 AVG 7 HR 34 RBI

6-2 38 IP 1.88 ERA 52 SO

Jackson Buzea

16 Games .501 AVG 6 HR 26 RBI

4-1 30 IP 2.31 ERA 34 SO

Chris Bartley

20 Games .420 AVG 13 HR 41 RBI

5-1 26 IP 3.10 ERA 17 SO

Mark Miecznikowski

4 Games .260 AVG 1 HR 6 RBI

1-0 6 IP 4.00 ERA 4 SO

3. Nighttime Ninjas (2016 - 9-11 - Swept in 1st Round)

If any year would be the year for the Ninjas, 2017 would be their year. They bring back their two most consistent players from last year in Sammy Krucek and Mike Kubacki Jr. They also added another arm to their rotation at the end of last season in Jeffery Holden. The Ninjas will also benefit from the return to full time of the 2015 MVP, Ethan Arvay and added Matt Kuna from the draft. From a glance their roster can compete with any GBL team in the league. The Ninjas have always been known for their hitting prowess but, with the extra help their pitching can be the best it has ever been. Expect them to be a contender all season.

STAT PROJECTIONS

Mike Kubacki Jr.

20 Games .325 AVG 6 HR 24 RBI

3-3 28 IP 5.10 ERA 10 SO

Sammy Krucek

12 Games .525 14 HR 30 RBI

2-1 16 IP 3.98 ERA 7 SO

Ethan Arvay

16 Games .453 16 HR 36 RBI

3-2 30 IP 3.76 ERA 18 SO

Matt Kuna

10 Games .410 AVG 3 HR 20 RBI

2-1 15 IP 1.98 ERA 14 SO

Jeffery Holden

6 Games .280 AVG 2 HR 10 RBI

2-1 11 IP 1.20 ERA 17 SO

4. Bird Gang (2016 - 11-9 - Lost in 1st Round in 5)

After a successful 2016 campaign, the Bird Gang are now trying to take that next step. Both of their playoff appearances ended in the first round and both went to the max. Matt Zurawski had his team finish over .500 last season but a lot of those wins came from the arm of Andy Felde (who is now retired). I do not think it will be easy to find a replacement for the workload A.Felde dished out last season. If they do find someone that could take that workload, it would have to come from either Ryan Shimala, Mike Zurawski, or Cole Felde. On the other hand, if the offense can pick up the slack, their pitching concerns may not even be an issue. 

STAT PROJECTIONS

Matt Zurawski

20 Games .225 AVG 3 HR 8 RBI

1-4 19 IP 5.88 ERA 4 SO

Mike Zurawski

16 Games .370 8 HR 20 RBI

1-3 25 IP 5.00 ERA 4 SO

Luke Baker

8 Games .385 AVG 2 HR 8 RBI

0-2 8 IP 5.22 ERA 4 SO

Cole Felde

10 Games .260 AVG 3 HR 10 RBI

2-4 30 IP 4.40 ERA 12 SO

Ryan Shimala

14 Games .250 AVG 2 HR 6 RBI

0-3 18 IP 4.90 ERA 8 SO

5. Ducks on the Pond (2016 - 7-13 - Missed Playoffs)

Halfway through last season, the Ducks couldn't buy a win and yet they put themselves in a position to make the playoffs by the end of the year. Each player on the team began to define their roles and accustom themselves to the GBL. They found success off by adding Chris Diehl late in the year and the emergence of their offense. I expect the second half 2016 to be the norm for the Ducks in 2017 being led by Zack Duvnjak, Brian Brilmyer, and the aforementioned Diehl. They also added Mark Blount and Zach Muller during the offseason which could add some extra hitting. They have a favorable chance to make their first playoffs.

STAT PROJECTIONS

Brian Brilmyer

10 Games .280 AVG 8 HR 19 RBI

1-2 18 IP 5.10 ERA 12 SO

Zack Duvnjak

14 Games .370 AVG 6 HR 21 RBI

5-2 27 IP 2.99 ERA 20 SO

Chris Diehl

16 Games .436 AVG 10 HR 24 RBI

2-4 23 IP 4.85 ERA 8 SO

Shawn Siokis

 16 Games .277 AVG 1 HR 11 RBI

1-1 18 IP 6.10 ERA 8 SO

Mark Blount

10 Games .280 AVG 3 HR 7 RBI

1-1 14 IP 3.70 ERA 8 SO

Zach Muller

2 Games .200 AVG 0 HR 1 RBI

N/A

6. Digger Dudes (2016 - Did Not Play)

With the Stallionaires out of the league, Nick Bobowski added his own team to the GBL. The Digger Dudes will be a team will have three rookies (Brandon Burnell, Peter Sepulveda, and Jeremy Camp) joining the GBL and it could be a tough transition. The good news is that they drafted Nate Bryan in the draft and could help the new players during the season. If they do succeed during the season they will have to find a reliable arm to go along with the experience of Bryan and Bobowski. Without seeing the other half of the roster, it will be tough to gauge their potential.

STAT PROJECTIONS

Nick Bobowski

20 Games .225 AVG 1 HR 5 RBI

0-4 18 IP 5.78 ERA 5 SO

Nate Bryan

14 Games .375 AVG 8 HR 22 RBI

2-3 20 IP 4.88 ERA 8 SO

Derek Revis

8 Games .260 AVG 1 HR 11 RBI

0-2 8 IP 5.20 ERA 5 SO

Brandon Burnell

16 Games .290 AVG 2 HR 18 RBI

1-3 22 IP 4.50 ERA 11 SO

Peter Sepulveda

12 Games .265 AVG 5 HR 20 RBI

1-3 22 IP 4.97 ERA 10 SO

Jeremy Camp

10 Games .200 AVG 1 HR 8 RBI

0-1 10 IP 5.50 ERA 2 SO

WIFFLE OUT!

SEE YOU SUNDAY!

Inside the GBL 2017: Episode 3 - Griffleball's Big Three

  

This episode, T.Walk breaks down the Nighttime Ninjas, Gashouse Gorillas, and Taka Drivers. He also covers his playoff predictions and award predictions. Finally, he previews the upcoming opening week of GBL Season 8.

Inside the GBL 2017 - Episode 2 - Predicted the Bottom Half of the Standings

Today, T.Walk takes a look at the 6th, 5th, and 4th place teams in his predictions. He also breaks down each teams's player to watch, x-factor, and what would it take foe each team to exceed expectations. Enjoy it WiffleNerds!