Inside the GBL 2017 - Episode 8 - Week 4 Recap and NWLA News

This week T-Walk brings you the recap of all the action (and some of the non-action) that occurred on the Griffle Grounds. He also has a few NWLA tidbits about what he will be doing in the upcoming regional.

Inside the GBL - Episode 7 - Week Four Preview and Way Too Early Award Predictions

Inside the GBL 2017 - Episode Six - NWLA Regional Roster & Week Three Recap

In the latest episode of Inside the GBL, T.Walk announces his regional roster for the NWLA Tournament. He also recaps all the action in last week's games.

Griffleball Week Three Power Rankings and Recap

After three weeks of Griffleball, runs have been hard to accumulate. In this week alone there were six shutouts in six games. Actually, there has been only one game this season that both teams scored a run (Week One - Taka and Bird Gang). There are many factors that could play into the slow offensive start for most teams. For starters, the new strike board may have a major impact on the hitters. It is significantly easier for pitchers to paint the corners and the board is at most hitter's shins. The weather as also been suspect (I feel like I say this every week, whether windy, cold, or humid) and this week was no exception. The wind combined with the cold temperature made it difficult to generate offense. My final reason is that many of the pitchers in the league have improved and the strike board may benefit them even more. Needless to say, the teams and players still have to compete no matter the circumstances (weather, bad calls, new elements, etc.) Week three started with the Digger Dudes and Bird Gang splitting their series. Brandon Burnell for the Dudes hit his first career home run in extras to give his squad the win. Then, the Bird Gang answered back by scoring the winning run via a base on balls. This would not be the first time this week that would happen. The Taka Drivers continued their undefeated start (jinxed it) by sweeping the Ducks on the Pond in the evening series. They won the first game by a walk off walk (since my last name is Walk, I think this is awesome) and then took the momentum to the next game to win 6-0. Finally it was time for Sunday Night Griffleball between the Nighttime Ninjas and GasHouse Gorillas (Capitalizing the H just looks stupid but apparently it took 3 years to correct it). To me this was the surprise of the night as the Ninjas swept GasHouse by two walk off home runs from Sammy Krucek (I thought at best a split). The Ninjas sweep has definitely affected this week's Power Rankings. Just keep scrolling down to see where all the Griffleball teams stand.

GRIFFLEBALL POWER RANKINGS

1. Taka Drivers (6-0)(--)

No surprise here as the Taka Drivers are clearly out to prove to the league that they are the best in 2017. After watching them for three weeks, they continue to impress by finding ways to win. They have a run differential of plus 24 and only allowed just one run. They have scored the most runs and are tied for allowing the fewest. Which seems to be a good recipe for success. They are going to continue to stay in the top spot unless they falter.

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

If you sweep the five time defending champs you are always going to move up in the rankings. If you do it without half your team, you deserve it. Without the arms and bats of Arvay, Kuna, and Holden, the Ninjas put the league on notice that they can beat you with anyone. With Krucek's bat and Kubacki's arm the Ninjas have put themselves in a good spot moving forward. If and when their offense heats up, look out.

3. Digger Dudes (2-4) (Up 2)

How many people expected the Digger Dudes to be playing this well this early (show of hands, yeah I thought so). They may have a losing record but they have been in every single game (but one) this season. It seems that they have the pitchers capable of throwing a ton of innings (Bobowski and Sepulveda). I like the way they are playing and if they keep it up they could make  push for the playoffs.

4. GasHouse Gorillas (1-2)(Down 2)

We have seen this story before. In 2015, GasHouse struggled in the first half of the season. Then they turned their season around and eventually won another championship. They have all the pieces to be the best team throughout the regular season but they usually do not play their best until needed. Their biggest concern is finding their historically great offense. They have not score a run since the first inning of their first game. That is 18 completed innings without a run (including the postponed game).

5. Bird Gang (1-3)(Up 1)

The Bird Gang finally broke through for their first win after dropping the first three. With a full roster this could be a tough team to play, but they are still looking for Shimala and Baker to make their 2017 debut. It is going to take some effort from those two if the Bird Gang want to make another push to the playoffs. From what I have seen, it could be hard for the Bird Gang to find a rhythm as they rotate their roster each week. 

6. Ducks on the Pond (0-3)(--)

The Ducks on the Pond are putting themselves in the same position as last season. This time they have yet to score a single run but their pitching as held up for a few games. They have the potential to be one of the better power teams in the league but that has not come to fruition so far. They need their bats to come around before they face the same hole they were in last year.

GRIFFLEBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

HITTER OF THE WEEK

Sammy Krucek

2 Games .417 - 5/12 - 2 HR 3 RBI (Two walk off home runs)

PITCHER OF THE WEEK

Nick Bobowski

1 Start - 1-0 7 IP 7 Strikeouts 0.00 ERA 1 HA 4 BB (Threw 5 1/2 innings of no hit in first game)

GRIFFLEBALL SCOREBOARD

3 PM - F/6 Digger Dudes 1 Bird Gang 0 - WP - Bobowski LP - Matt Zurawski

4 PM - Bird Gang 1 Digger Dudes 0 - WP - Matt Zurawski LP - Bryan

5 PM - F/7 Taka Drivers 1 Ducks on the Pond 0 - WP - Bartley LP - Blount

6 PM - Taka Drivers 6 Ducks on the Pond 0 - WP - Buzea LP - Diehl

7 PM - Nighttime Ninjas 1 GasHouse Gorillas 0 - WP - Krucek LP - Tucker

8 PM - Nighttime Ninjas 2 GasHouse Gorillas 0 - WP - Krucek - LP - Ratajczyk

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

May 21st

3/4 PM - Taka Drivers (6-0) at Nighttime Ninjas (3-1)

5/6 PM - Digger Dudes (2-4) at GasHouse Gorillas (1-2)

7/8 PM - Ducks on the Pond (0-3) at Bird Gang (1-3)

WIFFLE OUT!

Inside the GBL 2017 - Episode Five - Week Two Recap and Week Three Preview

This week your host, Tyler Walk, dives into multiple topics. He seems to get off track quite often in this week's episode. He recaps week two, previews week three, gives you a 2017 GBL jersey ranking, and multiple other news and notes. Enjoy it Wiffle Nerds.

Griffleball Week Two Power Rankings and Recap

Griffleball would not let a little bit of rain (little bit = downpour) cancel Sunday Night Griffleball in week two. Even though the early games were canceled, it was still showtime for the Taka Drivers and Digger Dudes. Under the bright lights, the Taka Drivers took care of business despite the horrendous conditions. The first game of the night turned out to be a pitchers duel between Nick Bobowski and Jackson Buzea. With the rain causing the grip on the bats to be non-existent, neither pitcher allowed a hit until the last frame. It also turned out to be one the quickest played Griffleball games in recent memory, ending in under twenty five minutes of video time. It looked like we could have been here all night with both teams searching for a hit. Then, Chris Bartley stepped up and continued his early power surge by crushing a walk off home run. That was the push that Taka needed to get their offense going in the next game. Taka would win game two 9-0 by scoring three runs in three different innings and completed their sweep on Sunday Night. Hopefully next weeks weather will comply with the week three schedule (seriously Indiana weather is the worst). With only two teams playing on Sunday, the Power Rankings still need to be seen by the wiffle world. Take a look below to find out where your team stands.

GRIFFLEBALL POWER RANKINGS

1. Taka Drivers (4-0)(Up 1)

The Taka Drivers have started the 2017 season just the way they envisioned. They have only allowed one run in four games and have score eighteen runs. I would consider that a dominant start to any season. It definitely feels like every game they play has the atmosphere of a playoff game. They move up to the top spot heading into week three.

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

Gashouse has had four games scheduled and have only completed one. From the action we have seen from them so far, the league knows the champs are primed and ready for another postseason run. I think this could be the season where they face some adversity. This can be contributed to the likes of every team in Griffleball playing their best when they see Gashouse on the schedule. They move down a spot due to Taka's ferocious start.

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

The Ninjas have more weapons this season than in years prior. With the return of Arvay, the addition of Kuna, and the surprise from Holden last season, the Ninjas can be one of the most dangerous teams this season. They did look a bit rusty at the plate to start the season but, their offensive numbers always seem to climb throughout the year. Don't sleep on the Ninjas, they may sneak up on you. 

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

The Ducks on the Pond are in the same situation as Gashouse. They have only completed one game in two weeks. Even without Brilmyer playing (managing for now) for most of the season, the Ducks have the tools to make it to their first season. I am confident in their ability to hold opponents to a few runs but, it is the offense that is concerning. I believe they will find some offense but they need to do it now before risking another win-less start (did not win a game until mid-season in 2016).

5. Digger Dudes (1-3)(--)

I did not expect much coming from the Digger Dudes in 2017 but, it looks like they will be competitive throughout the season. Their record can easily be 3-1 instead of 1-3 if they were able to score. Nick Bobowski is looking like the same CyBo from last season and if he keeps it up, the Dudes could be fighting for the last playoff spot by the end of the year. Also, Nate Bryan in the field has taken away a number of hits and will probably continue to throughout the year.

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

Before the season I believed the Bird Gang would tumble into the bottom of the standings. As of right now, I am correct on making that assumption but it is a long season. They dodged a tough start by the rain washing out their games with Gashouse and they can look forward to a few winnable series. It should be interesting to see if Baker and Shimala will make their debut this week. It should tell us a lot more about their squad when they do.

GRIFFLEBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

HITTER

Jackson Buzea

5 Hits in 9 AB 1 HR 5 RBI 2 BB

PITCHER

Ryan Voges

2-0 3.5 IP 6 Strikeouts 0 ER 1 HA 1 BB

WEEK THREE SCHEDULE

3 PM / 4 PM - BIRD GANG (0-2) AT DIGGER DUDES (1-3)

5 PM / 6 PM - DUCKS ON THE POND (0-1) AT TAKA DRIVERS (4-0)

6:45 PM (IF POSSIBLE) - RESUME DUCKS AT GASHOUSE (BTM 5 0-0)

7 PM / 8 PM - GASHOUSE GORILLAS (1-0) AT NIGHTTIME NINJAS (1-1)

GRIFFLEBALL SCOREBOARD

WEEK ONE

4/23/17 - Taka Drivers 4 Bird Gang 0 - WP - Bartley LP - Felde

4/23/17 - Taka Drivers 4 Bird Gang 1 - WP - Voges LP - Mike Zurawski

4/23/17 - Digger Dudes 1 Nighttime Ninjas 0 - WP - Bobowski LP - Kubacki

4/23/17 - Nighttime Ninjas 2 Digger Dudes 0 - WP - Arvay LP - Revis

4/23/17 - Gashouse Gorillas 4 Ducks on the Pond 0 - WP - Tucker LP - Diehl

4/23/17 - Gashouse 0 Ducks on the Pond 0 Bottom 5th (PPD)

WEEK TWO

4/30/17 - Nighttime Ninjas at Ducks on the Pond (Series PPD)

4/30/17 - Gashouse Gorillas at Bird Gang (Series PPD)

4/30/17 - Taka Drivers 1 Digger Dudes 0 - WP - Voges LP - Bobowski

4/30/17 - Taka Drivers 9 Digger Dudes 0 - WP - Voges LP - Bryan

WIFFLE OUT!

Sunday Night Griffleball Digger Dudes at Taka Drivers Week Two