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.