2018 NWLA Tournament Regional Roster Preview

Meet the GBL Legends

#47 - Jeremy Ratajczyk
Age: 28
Bats: L
Throws: R
GBL Experience: 9th Season

NWLA Experience: 7th Season
An NWLA Tournament participant since the tournament's inaugural season of 2010, Jeremy's name is often talked about as one of the most feared hitters in the tournament. The commissioner of the GBL will need to live up to his expectations if he wants to bring his league a national title.

#77 - Kyle Lidster
Age: 27
Bats: L
Throws: R
GBL Experience: 7th Season
NWLA Experience: 5th Tournament
One of the tournament's better strike throwers who also features plus velocity, Kyle has pitched himself into the category of ace pitchers at the tournament. Kyle missed the 2017 tournament, and his absence left a gaping hole on the GBL's roster as they finished in 16th place at Nationals.

#34 - Jim Tucker
Age: 28
Bats: R
Throws: R
GBL Experience: 8th Season
NWLA Experience: 3rd Tournament
Jim is arguably the best pitcher of all time in the GBL, but in NWLA Tournament play, his bat will be more vital to the team than his arm, as he had one of the team's best OBPs last year. He will be asked to use his acute batting eye and vicious swing to reach base for the Legends.

#0 - Jackson Buzea
Age: 27
Bats: R
Throws: R
GBL Experience: 5th Season
NWLA Experience: 3rd Tournament
Jackson is one of the toughest players to keep off of the base paths in NWLA Tournament play. He will be at or near the top of the Legends lineup for most of the tournament. He can also be a reliable relief pitcher if needed.

#25 - Ryan Voges
Age: 26
Bats: R
Throws: R
GBL Experience: 4th Season
NWLA Experience: 3rd Tournament
Ryan made a name for himself last year at Regionals with an assortment of highlight reel defensive plays. The Legends believe that he is as good of a fielder as anyone in the tournament, and he will log plenty of innings behind the team's pitching staff.

#7 - Chris Bartley
Age: 27
Bats: R
Throws: R
GBL Experience: 4th Season
NWLA Experience: 2nd Tourament
Chris is quietly one of the best all-around players in the GBL. Chris has had some memorable runs in big moments over the years in the GBL. The Legends hope that Chris can bring some of his late inning magic from Griffith to Morenci.

#22 - Caleb Jonkman
Age: 22
Bats: L
Throws: R
GBL Experience: 2nd Season
NWLA Experience: 3rd Tournament
Over the years, the GBL has always been known as a team that just hasn't had enough pitching. But in 2018, the team has ordered reinforcements. Caleb had some masterful pitching performances over his first two years in NWLA play (spent with LWA), and his presence on the mound for the GBL will be exactly what the doctor ordered.

#14 - Brett Detmar
Age: 22
Bats: R
Throws: R
GBL Experience: 1st Season
NWLA Experience: 3rd Tournament
Much like the GBL's aforementioned addition of Caleb Jonkman, Brett's addition will be just as important to the success of this team. Detmar, along with Lidster and Jonkman is figured to round out what will be a 3-headed monster pitching rotation. Detmar has posted elite numbers on the mound in NWLA play with LWA, and will be asked to do the same for the GBL.

Griffle Talk With T-Walk - Episode 8 - NWLA Regional Special

Today, Tyler Walk is here to break down the NWLA Regional and recap his Griffleball tenure. I also predict the four bids and give you a little of what I know from each team.

Griffle Talk With T-Walk - Episode 7 - Time For a Change

In another episode of Griffle Talk With T-Walk, Tyler is once again joined by family to discuss the upcoming week in Griffleball. This week Kyle Gagliardi and myself break down the new dimension changes to the field and preview/predict Week Four.

Griffleball Week Three Power Rankings and Stars of the Week

GRIFFLEBALL POWER RANKINGS

1. GasHouse Gorillas - 5-1 (LW - #1)

The GasHouse Gorillas keep finding ways to win after dropping their first game of the season. Now winners of five straight, GasHouse seems poised to reclaim their title. With a healthy Ratajczyk, GasHouse should be a tough opponent every week.

2. Taka Drivers - 4-2 (LW - #2)

The Taka Drivers have only allowed two runs all season and they have two losses to show for it. Nonetheless, the Taka pitching staff is quite arguably the best staff we have ever seen in the GBL. If they continue at this rate, a repeat wouldn't surprise anyone.

3. Nighttime Ninjas - 4-2 (LW - #3)

After a couple of 1-0 wins, the Ninjas see themselves as contenders for the World Series. They are neck and neck in every category with GasHouse and Taka (AVG, RUNS, ERA, etc.). At this rate, it is hard to argue they aren't on the same par as the top two.

4. Leroy Legends - 2-4 (LW - #4)

Without ace, Caleb Jonkman, the Legends were swept for the first time this season. Even though Jonkman was not there, their pitching held up. It was their offense, which did not plate a run in both games. It will interesting to see their approach in the coming weeks.

5. Digger Dudes - 1-4 (LW - #6)

The Dudes have had their fair share of close games due to the strength of their arms but, they have also faced some of the best arms in the league. If they can put a few runs on the board, they may contend until the end of the year.

6.. Ducks on the Pond - 1-4 (LW - #5)

The Ducks on the Pond need to find a way to string together some hits before thinking about making a return to the playoffs. They are currently seven for sixty seven (.104) on the season and that is good for worst in the GBL.

GRIFFLEBALL STARS OF THE WEEK

1. Ryan Galiher - (P) 1-0 7 IP 11 SO 5 BB 0 HA (No Hitter) (H) .416 AVG 1 HR 1 RBI

2. Kyle Gagliardi - (P) 2-0 9 IP 8 SO 4 BB 1 HA (No Hitter Game Two)

3. Ryan Voges - (P) 0-0 5 IP 7 SO 1 BB 2 HA 1 SAVE (H) .444 AVG 1 RBI

Griffle Talk With T Walk - Episode 6 - The Edge Gags Special

On episode six of Griffle Talk, T.Walk is joined by Edge (Kevin Edgington) and Gags (Kyle Gagliardi) to answer some questions for the fans and give their takes on Griffleball.

Griffle Talk With T-Walk - Episode 5 - Week Two Recap

In Griffle Talk this week, I touch on a few things about the NWLA criteria, recap week two, give you a standings and stats (yes finally stats) update, and preview and predict week three. #GriffleTalk

Griffleball Week Two Power Rankings and Stars of the Week

GRIFFLEBALL POWER RANKINGS

1. GasHouse Gorillas - 3-1 (LW - #5)

It has been a while since GasHouse held the top spot in the rankings. Last week they brought back Ratajczyk from injury and Mark Nelleman made his debut. They both did not disappoint as they helped GasHouse secure the sweep along with the tremendous pitching from Tucker and Galiher.

2. Taka Drivers - 2-2 (LW - #1)

After another split, the Taka Drivers only move down one spot. Jackson Buzea threw a perfect game (2nd Griffleball Perfect Game already) and looks poised to try and capture another MVP. Taka has one of the best all around teams in the league and every player should be considered a threat.

3. Nighttime Ninjas - 2-2 (LW - #3)

The additions of Kyle Gagliardi and Kevin Edgington have proved to be a significant gain for the Ninjas. Edge is showing he can be a tough out after going 7 for 11 in week two. On the other hand, Gagliardi has only allowed one run pitching all year.

4. Leroy Legends - 2-2 (LW - #3)

Leroy has shown Griffleball that they can stay in any game due to their pitching depth. And, we have not even seen their full roster come to play yet. If Caleb Jonkman pitches every week, it will be hard to beat the Legends twice in one week.

5. Ducks on the Pond - 1-2 (LW - #6)

Even with minimal offense, the Ducks on the Pond have found a way into the win column thanks to Chris Diehl. He has been crucial to the Ducks success and won a game on a walk off home run last week. And, in 13 innings pitched he has only allowed two runs. The Ducks go as Diehl goes.

6. Digger Dudes - 1-2 (LW - #4)

The Digger Dudes were the only team swept last week but, they had to deal with stiff competition. They have played tough and have been in every game due to their arms. Cole and Andrew Felde have only allowed 4 earned runs this season and should give fits to the opposition.

GRIFFLEBALL STARS OF THE WEEK

1. Jackson Buzea - (P) 1-0 5 IP 6 SO 0 HA 0 BB (Perfect Game) (H) .571 AVG 4/7

2. Kevin Edgington - (H) - .636 7/11 2 RBI 2 BB

3. Chris Diehl - (P) 0-0 6 IP 5 HA 1 ER 8 SO 1 BB (H) .200 2/10 1 HR 1 RBI (Walk Off Home Run)

Sunday Night Griffleball - Week Two - Digger Dudes at GasHouse Gorillas