Inside the GBL 2017 - Episode 10 - NWLA Regional Recap/Griffleball News with Ryan Voges

This week on Inside the GBL, T.Walk is joined by Ryan Voges to recap our regional performance, discuss the news from the league, and recap what happened in Griffleball since we've been gone.

Griffleball Week Six Power Rankings and Recap

You're probably saying to yourself, "Wait, what happened to the week five rankings?" My response is to listen to last week's Inside the GBL to find out. The league as a whole was crunched for time in week five because that Saturday, the Griffleball Paw Chests went to the NWLA Regional aiming to qualify for the national tournament (SPOILER: We did). Griffleball finished 3-1 and ended up winning the regional and securing a spot in the NWLA National Tournament. After the long trip to Minnesota, the league still had games the next day (which included the whole roster for the national team) and the heat/wind followed us home. Week Six felt a bit like the regional tournament as most of the players and myself were trying to dodge the sun. On the other hand, the wind (how many times have I mentioned wind since 2015?) made our poly molded wiffleball carry a bit more than usual. Griffleball saw a season high (no need to fact check this one) 38 home runs hit in week six, THIRTY BLEEPING EIGHT. The GasHouse Gorillas swept the Ducks on the Pond (including the make-up game) powered by last year's MVP, Jeremy Ratajczyk. After a rough start to the season, Rat crushed seven home runs in week six and drove in fifteen runs (I think his average is over the Mendoza line now). On the other hand Ratajczyk's teammate, Ryan Galiher continues his MVP worthy season by only giving up one run over six innings pitched (also had three home runs and six RBI's). The next series saw the Taka Drivers (in their awesome new threads) sweep the Bird Gang. It looked like the series could have been in question because the Bird Gang were having trouble finding a second eligible player. In an interesting turn of events, Matt Zurawski made a last minute trade for the Digger Dude's Jeremy Camp and the series would go on. Camp would not help as much as expected as the Taka Drivers hit a combined sixteen home runs and scored twenty seven. After a long weekend for most of the league, it was finally time for Sunday Night Griffleball between the Nighttime Ninjas and Digger Dudes. Both games would end up being a back and forth affair making this series the most compelling of the day. The Ninjas would end up taking the first game backed by two three run bombs from Mike Kubacki. The second game came down to the wire as the Ninjas were looking to complete a two game sweep but, the Dudes found a way to sneak one by Nighttime. Only clinging to a one run lead, Peter Sepulveda hit a grand slam to give his team the lead and the victory in the second game. This was a tremendous win for the Digger Dudes as they now have the same amount of wins as the Ducks for the last playoff spot. With only four weeks (and possibly four makeup games GasHouse/Bird Gang and Ducks/Ninjas) to go, the fourth spot in the playoffs is wide open. It should be an interesting back half of the season as the top three fight for home field and the bottom three fight it out for the last playoff spot.

GRIFFLEBALL POWER RANKINGS

1. GasHouse Gorillas - 8-2 

I don't know why I always worry about GasHouse early in the season. They always turn things around and find ways to continue winning. Even without one of the best pitchers in the league, GasHouse showed their force as they won three games against the Ducks. Ryan Galiher continues his amazing 2017 campaign as he shut down the Ducks bats. While last year's MVP, Ratajczyk, found his stroke by crushing seven home runs. They have now won seven straight and they do not look like they will slow down anytime soon.

2. Taka Drivers - 10-2

Rocking their new threads, the Taka Drivers embarrassed the Bird Gang. They outscored their opponent 27 to 3 in Week Six. They continue to have the highest run differential in the league standing at plus 45. They even had a fourteen run inning in one of the games and they hit sixteen home runs as a team. They are still holding the top spot in the standings and they look to secure it before they see GasHouse at the end of the season.

3. Nighttime Ninjas - 6-4

The Nighttime Ninjas continue to play without the arms of Kuna, Arvay, and Holden. Even without them the Ninjas have only given up fourteen runs in eight games played (two forfeits). Yes, twelve of them came in the series against the Dudes but what else is there to say. They are within striking distance of first place because of the performances of Sammy Krucek and Mike Kubacki. Expect them to have reinforcements come playoff time.

4. Digger Dudes - 3-9

Even without four of their six players this week, the Dudes were able to secure a win from the Ninjas. Both Derek Revis and Pete Sepulveda played well enough to possibly win both games. Sepulveda hit his first career home run and crushed a grand slam in the last game to give his team the win. With the fourth, fifth, and sixth place team all with three wins and less, the Digger Dudes continue to stay in the race.

5. Ducks on the Pond - 3-7

The Ducks on the Pond ran into a buzz-saw in week six. They do have better hitting and pitching stats then the other two teams around them but it has yet to translate into more victories. With Brian Brilmyer possibly out for a few weeks, his team is going to have to pick up the slack. They have the talent to get them into the playoffs with the likes of Diehl, Blount, Duvnjak, and Blount. It will be interesting to see how their season unfolds.

6. Bird Gang - 2-8

The Bird Gang have only scored nine runs all season and are struggling to keep a consistent roster. Even with their low offensive production they find themselves only one game out of the win column for the last playoff spot. If Matt Zurawski can find a way to get Andy Felde and Luke Baker back to the field, the Bird Gang may sneak into the last spot. For now, they need to find a way to drive in runs or risk staying at the bottom of the standings.

GRIFFLEBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

HITTER OF THE WEEK

Jackson Buzea

2 Games .785 AVG 11/14 7 HR 12 RBI 1 BB 1 K

PITCHER OF THE WEEK

Ryan Galiher

2 Games 2-0 6 IP 1 ER 2 HA 9 K 9 BB

GRIFFLEBALL SCOREBOARD

Week 5 June 4th

3 PM - Nighttime Ninjas 9 Bird Gang 0 WP - Kubacki LP - Ma. Zurawski

4 PM - Nighttime Ninjas 5 Bird Gang 1 WP - Kubacki LP - Ma. Zurawski S - Krucek

5 PM - Ducks on the Pond 8 Digger Dudes 7 WP - Duvnjak LP - Sepulveda

6 PM - Ducks on the Pond 9 Digger Dudes 5 WP - Diehl LP - Burnell

7 PM - GasHouse Gorillas 2 Taka Drivers 1 WP - Tucker LP - Voges (Tucker No-Hitter)

8 PM - GasHouse Gorillas 1 Taka Drivers 0 WP - Galiher LP - Buzea S - Ratajczyk

NWLA Regional

Game One - Brew City 6 Griffleball 0 (0-1)

Game Two - Griffleball 8 Home Run League 4 (1-1)

Game Three - Griffleball 11 Shedfield 2 (2-1)

Game Four - Griffleball 9 Bemidji 7 (3-1)

(Minnesota Regional Champs- Griffleball Heading to Nationals in July)

Week 6 June 11th

2:30 PM - GasHouse Gorillas 2 Ducks on the Pond 0 (Week 1 Makeup) WP - Ratajczyk LP - Diehl

3 PM - GasHouse Gorillas 13 Ducks on the Pond 1 WP - Galiher LP - Brilmyer

4 PM - GasHouse Gorillas 6 Ducks on the Pond 2 WP - Galiher LP - Diehl

5 PM - Taka Drivers 11 Bird Gang 2 WP - Bartley LP - Ma. Zurawski

6 PM - Taka Drivers 16 Bird Gang 2 WP - Buzea LP - Ma. Zurawski

7 PM - Nighttime Ninjas 10 Digger Dudes 5 WP - Kubacki LP - Revis S - Krucek

8 PM - Digger Dudes 7 Nighttime Ninjas 4 WP - Sepulveda LP - Kubacki

Week 7 June 25th

3/4 PM - Taka Drivers (10-2) at Digger Dudes (3-9)

5/6 PM - Ducks on the Pond (3-7) at Nighttime Ninjas (6-4)

7/8 PM - Bird Gang (2-8) at GasHouse Gorillas (8-2)

WIFFLE OUT!

Inside the GBL - Episode Nine - NWLA Roster Breakdown/Preview and Week Five Recap

NWLA Regional Roster Preview

#47 - Jeremy Ratajczyk
Age: 27
Bats: L
Throws: R
GBL Experience: 8th Season
Jeremy's name is always mentioned among the greatest hitters at the NWLA Tournament. But the last two national tournaments have been a huge disappointment for the slugger. Could Jeremy be on the decline offensively, or where the last two seasons just abberations? When he is at his best, he has the ability to hit .400 at these tournaments, and if he can re-discover that swing from earlier in his NWLA career, the GBL offense will thrive.

#18 - Ryan Galiher
Age: 26
Bats: R
Throws: R
GBL Experience: 6th Season
NWLA Experience: 4th Tournament
Ryan has been a GasHouse Gorilla in the GBL with his teammate Jeremy Ratajczyk since the league's conception in 2010, and that duo has always been known as one of the best offensive 1-2 punches in the league. After a slow start to his NWLA career at the 2015 regionals, Ryan turned his game up a notch with two solid national tournaments in 2015 and 2016. Ryan is also one of the league's most athletic players and fastest sprinters from home to first.

#34 - Jim Tucker
Age: 27
Bats: R
Throws: R
GBL Experience: 7th Season
NWLA Experience: 2nd Tournament
Ever since Kyle Lidster retired (for all intents and purposes) after the 2012 season, Jim Tucker has been the best and most consistent pitcher in the league. He struggled in his lone NWLA appearance at Nationals in 2014, but coming off back to back Cy Young awards in the GBL in 2015 and 2016, he is primed and ready to make a big stride at the tournament this year. Historically, the GBL has seen huge improvements from their pitchers in their 2nd season of NWLA play (referencing Kyle Lidster's jump from 2012 to 2013 and Matt Kuna's jump from 2014 to 2015). Jim Tucker is expected to make a similar improvement this year.

#5 - Jackson Buzea
Age: 26
Bats: R
Throws: R
GBL Experience: 4th Season
NWLA Experience: 3rd Tournament
Jackson has been one of the toughest outs in the GBL as a hitter ever since he came into the league in 2014, and he displayed that same ability in NWLA play last year. He also emerged as one of the NWLA teams' best pitchers last year, and he is expected to carry that momentum into this year. Jackson was one of the best strike throwers, statistically, last year in NWLA play, and the GBL hopes he can pound the zone again this year.

#25 - Ryan Voges
Age: 25
Bats: R
Throws: R
GBL Experience: 3rd Season
NWLA Experience: 2nd Tournament
Ryan is easily one of the best all-around players in the GBL, and he is also one the most competitive players. The Paw Chests are hoping that he can be the same lights out pitcher at the NWLA Tournament that he has been in the GBL. He didn't get much of a chance at Nationals last year to prove himself at a pitcher, and he really resents that missed opportunity. He has been chomping at the bit to show his NWLA teammates that he can be a true ace, and he will get that chance at Regionals.

#21 - Sammy Krucek
Age: 28
Bats: R
Throws: R
GBL Experience: 6th Season
NWLA Experience: 1st Tournament
When people talk about the greatest hitter in GBL history, Jeremy Ratajczyk is usually the first name that comes to mind. But Sammy Krucek can make a pretty good case for himself. Since joining the league in 2012, Sammy has the highest batting average of any hitter at .517, and his 82 home runs and 166 RBI are both the 2nd most in that span. Sammy is expected to be a huge offensive addition to a team that was no-hit once and one-hit twice in last year's national tournament.

#7 - Chris Bartley
Age: 25
Bats: R
Throws: R
GBL Experience: 3rd Season
NWLA Experience: 1st Tourament
Chris will have big shoes to fill while wearing the same jersey as GBL NWLA legend Kyle Lidster, but Chris is ready to fill those shoes. Chris has earned his spot on the roster by posting All Star caliber seasons the past two years in the GBL. Chris' bat has had some big swings in it during his GBL career (including two game-winning home runs in last year's GBL World Series), and his teammates are hopeful that he can do the same in his NWLA debut.

#10 - Mike Kubacki
Age: 27
Bats: R
Throws: R
GBL Experience: 7th Season
NWLA Experience: 3rd Tournament
This will be Mike's 3rd NWLA Tournament and also his 3rd Regional. Having never been invited to Nationals, he will once again be playing with a chip on his shoulder this year. But rumor has it that this could be the year that he gets the invite to Nationals. Mike displayed at last year's Regionals that his bat should not be taken for granted, as he had some big games offensively. Mike is also expected to be the team's vocal and emotional leader.

Griffleball Week Four Power Rankings and Recap

After four weeks, it appears that the World Series Runners up, the Taka Drivers, are putting the wiffle world on notice. Even if they did not play last week, their record now stands at 8-0 (two wins via forfeit from Ninjas) and they have a commanding lead in the standings. They have established themselves as the team to beat in 2017. With a showdown with the GasHouse Gorillas coming in a few days, they have their chance at revenge from the last two seasons. Speaking of GasHouse, they bullied the Digger Dudes as they got back in track with a sweep. Now at 3-2, GasHouse continues to look up in the standings (something they are not accustomed to) and has a chance to chip into the Taka choke-hold on first place. Even with the biggest series in 2017 on the horizon, we can't forget about other teams who look to make a push to the World Series. The Nighttime Ninjas are looking to rebound after some unfortunate circumstances forced them to forfeit their last two. They have the potential to be considered a title contender but, each week could result in a new lineup. Which can result in the timing and rhythm of a lineup. Looking at the bottom half of the standings, the Ducks on the Pond got their first win of the season in a series split between the Bird Gang. In that series we had two 2017 debuts by Brian Brilmyer and Andrew Felde that fed into the excitement of Sunday Night Griffleball. As mentioned earlier, the Digger Dudes were swept by the champs and still have trouble scoring. If they don't figure out their offense fast they could be stuck at two wins for the rest of the year. It seems (as most predicted) to be a three team race at the bottom of the standings for that last spot in the playoffs. Here are the Power Rankings after for weeks of action.

GRIFFLEBALL POWER RANKINGS

 1. Taka Drivers 8-0 (--)

Even without playing last week, Taka still made a tremendous impact by adding two more wins to their record. As a team, they lead the league in batting average (.337) and on base percentage (.488). And on the mound, they have an 0.16 ERA in 32 innings pitched. They are ready for a series with the champs.

2. GasHouse Gorillas 3-2 (Up 2)

GasHouse has bounced back nicely after being swept by the Nighttime Ninjas. They found their offense in week four by crushing five home runs and scoring fourteen runs. That is the kind of offense we are used to from the champs. They will have their hands full next week as they rematch with the Taka Drivers.

3. Nighttime Ninjas 3-3 (Down 1)

Hard to imagine just a few weeks ago that the Ninjas swept the GasHouse Gorillas. They added two losses to their record because they could not field a team. It was the first forfeit losses since 2015. What it is even more surprising is seeing that they have three losses and they have not given up an earned run (so that's a positive). Griffleball can be crazy sometimes.

4. Bird Gang 2-4 (Up 1)

The Bird Gang split another series with their opponents after being swept during opening day. They may not have an offense that can hot for power (0 home runs) but they find ways to win. Manager Matt Zurawski has been their best hitter (.261) and gives his team plenty of base-runners (OBP .485). He just needs a bit of help on the offensive end as they struggle as a team to score.

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

The Ducks notched their first win a little earlier this season compared to 2016. Brian Brilmyer made his debut and pitched exceptionally as he took a no-hitter into the fifth. Their offense finally cam around last week as Shawn Siokis clubbed his first home run of the season (grand slam). Let's hope another slow start to the season does not hinder them during a playoff push.

6. Digger Dudes 2-6 (Down 3)

The Dudes have had a major problem at the plate. They have hit .116 as a team and only getting on base at a .208 clip. Overall, last week was not kind to the Digger Dudes but they do have a few things going well. Nick Bobowski has an 0.88 ERA in 17 innings and Brandon Burnell is hitting .250 with 2 HR and 2 RBI. It is not all doom and gloom quite yet.

GRIFFLEBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

HITTER OF THE WEEK

Ryan Galiher

2 Game .529 (9/17) 4 Home Runs 12 RBI 3 BB 2 K

PITCHER OF THE WEEK

Brian Brilmyer

1 Game Started 1-0 4 IP 1 HA 0 ER 2 BB 4 K

GRIFFLEBALL SCHEDULE

WEEK FIVE (June 4th)

3 AND 4 PM - Nighttime Ninjas (3-3) at Bird Gang (2-4)

5 AND 6 PM - Digger Dudes (2-6) at Ducks on the Pond (1-4)

7 AND 8 PM - Taka Drivers (8-0) at GasHouse Gorillas (3-2)

NWLA REGIONAL (June 10th)

9:30 AM - GBL Paw Chests (19-21) at BCW Keg Crushers (1-12)

10:30 AM - HRL All-Stars (27-11) at GBL Paw Chests (19-21)

12:30 PM - SFWL Loons (3-6) at GBL Paw Chests (19-21)

1:30 PM - GBL Paw Chests (19-21) at BWB Bombers (0-0)

WIFFLE OUT!