Griffleball Power Rankings and Players of the Week: Week 2

After a solid week one, with no interruptions, the GBL finally hit its first setback. The weather (nothing new for the GBL) postponed week two's nightcap between the Stallionaires and Ducks on the Pond. Near the end of the last game between the Nighttime Ninjas and Gashouse Gorillas, rain began to fall. Then, the wind picked up and the bitterness of cold set in to many of the players/crew/fans. Even with this small hiccup, the day games were still played and two of them finished in extra innings. Free wiffleball seems to be a common theme for Season Seven.

The sun doesn't exist in Northwest Indiana.

The weather also played a factor in the way the ball traveled off the bat. Nearly every fly ball or line drive died while flying through the air. This prevented many hits and possible home runs. It also may have impacted some box scores for this week. It seemed to have a major impact on the set between the Taka Drivers and the Bird Gang. They combined for a total of four runs in two games. The end result was a split between the two teams. Then, the Gashouse Gorillas and Nighttime Ninjas had trouble scoring in the first game, which ended in a extra inning victory for Gashouse. Eventually, the champs found their stroke (especially Ryan Galiher) in game two and finished the series with a convincing sweep of the Ninjas.

With two weeks in the books, only two teams in the league have played all four scheduled games. This will typically create havoc in the standings and and in the power rankings. There was a bunch of shuffling between the top five and tough decisions between teams 3-5. After a week two weather report, let's take a look at the official Griffleball Week Two Power Rankings.

Week Two Power Rankings

1. Gashouse Gorillas 2-1 (Week One - #2)

After a brief absence, the Gashouse Gorillas are back on top. It took them extra innings to take game one from the Ninjas but, game two was a whole different story. Ryan Galiher went bonkers at the plate. He accounted for eight RBI's and three home runs in that game alone. He even did this on a day where the weather became a factor against the trajectory of each ball-in-play. If Galiher keeps hitting like this, the Gashouse Gorillas may be even better than last year. If that's even possible.

2. Taka Drivers 2-1 (Week One - #1)

It seems that I just cannot make up my mind between the Taka Drivers and Gashouse Gorillas. They have alternated the top spot since the preseason rankings. It was a bit easier this week because of a Taka loss to the much improved Bird Gang. There was little offense from Taka this week. There only runs came via a Jackson Buzea walk-off home run (in the last innings of game two). Taka went eleven innings without scoring until that moment. I don't expect them to repeat that feat for the rest of the season. 

3. Stallionaires 1-1 (Week One - #4)

Even without playing a game this week, the Stallionaires moved up in the Power Rankings. I still worry about their offense but, their approach seems to have them fighting for a championship at the end of the season. As long as they get there, that is all that matters for this squad. Their pitching will be the strongest part of their game and will keep them in every game for the rest of the season. If the Stallionaires start hitting, they will be very difficult to deal with on a weekly basis. 

4. Nighttime Ninjas 2-2 (Week One - #3)

The Ninjas would have still been third in my power rankings but, the beating they took in game two prompted a one spot drop. Their offense had trouble scoring without MVP, Ethan Arvay. Without him the Ninjas only managed to score three runs in two games (the weather may had a factor on this as well). On the other hand, Sammy Krucek made his debut and went 6 for 11 with two RBI. He was the lone bright spot in a week to forget for the Ninjas. 

5. Bird Gang 2-2 (Week One - #5)

The Bird Gang have found themselves in a better position then they were in last year. It took the Bird Gang four weeks last year to get two victories. The more impressive feat is that they split these games between two playoff teams from last season. Their offense last week may have also been effected by the weather (which can be said for every team this week). If they want to move into the top four they have to stay consistent through the rest of season. 

6. Ducks on the Pond 0-2 (Last Week - #6)

The Ducks on the Pond were ready to go on Sunday but, the rain came down and postponed their first nightcap. Manager Brian Brilmyer was in attendance and I believe that he will be a big factor on the Ducks success this season. Without him in Week One, the Ducks looked lost. He needs to be the leader of the this squad if they want to be in contention by the end of the season. 

Players of the Week: Week 2

Hitter of the Week - Ryan Galiher - 10 Hits 22 At-Bats 3 Home Runs 11 RBI

Pitcher of the Week - Jeremy Ratajczyk - 1-0 7 IP 2 Hits Allowed 0 ER 8 K 1 BB