Alas, the time has come to prepare to head to Ohio for what some may refer to as, the greatest spectacle in the history of amateur sports. As I begin to write this article, merely one week after the Midwest Regional in Kalamazoo, I believe it is finally starting to sink in that WSEM is, in fact, the defending champion of the NWLA tournament. In addition, I’m also beginning to realize that we have a rather decent sized target on our backs. Simply put, I guess we can infer that the third time was indeed a charm after all. After securing a 3rd place finish in 2012 and a brutal 9th place finish in 2013, something had to give. Many questions remain; however, about this years roster: Will this years team have the same drive and will to win as they did in 2014? Will the glory of winning in 2014 get to the WSEM team? Will this team be able to compete in the absence of 2013 National Pitcher of the Year, Austin Bischoff? Was 2014 a fluke? Will WSEM compete and possibly be the first back-to-back NWLA champion? That answer will be determined in merely 38 days.
I truly do believe that WSEM is bar-none one of the most talent deep leagues in the country. In Regional play, six new members played for the Dads and the team was still able to go undefeated and ultimately win the Midwest Regional. This is not to downplay other teams, but serves as a testament to the talent we possess, as a top league in this country. Seven of eight Dad’s from 2014 will be returning to defend their title, per a promise made by Manager Alex Shore the Friday before the Tournament of 2014 – “If we win this thing, I’ll see you all back here at the same time and same place in 2015.” The NWLA Tournament in 2014 was a magical run. There were instant classic games against HRL and TBW, Stephen Farkas brought home tournament MVP, and most importantly, we accomplished our overall goal of winning the coveted NWLA Tournament Cup. As we begin the quest to conquer the two-peat, I wish all competing teams the best of luck in Ohio! Now, without further ado, here is the look of your defending champion, WSEM Dads.
1st Hitting Alternate – David Castle
1st Pitching Alternate – Craig Skinner
I truly do believe that WSEM is bar-none one of the most talent deep leagues in the country. In Regional play, six new members played for the Dads and the team was still able to go undefeated and ultimately win the Midwest Regional. This is not to downplay other teams, but serves as a testament to the talent we possess, as a top league in this country. Seven of eight Dad’s from 2014 will be returning to defend their title, per a promise made by Manager Alex Shore the Friday before the Tournament of 2014 – “If we win this thing, I’ll see you all back here at the same time and same place in 2015.” The NWLA Tournament in 2014 was a magical run. There were instant classic games against HRL and TBW, Stephen Farkas brought home tournament MVP, and most importantly, we accomplished our overall goal of winning the coveted NWLA Tournament Cup. As we begin the quest to conquer the two-peat, I wish all competing teams the best of luck in Ohio! Now, without further ado, here is the look of your defending champion, WSEM Dads.
Coaching Staff
Carl Coffee #18 - 1st Base Coach
Carl can’t seem to step away from the game, even though he is trying. He will return to coach 1st base this year. Carl will high-five you if you did something good to get on base. If you got on via a Fielder’s Choice, you do not get a high-five. Either way, he will tell you how many outs there are.Nick Coffee #0 - 3rd Base Coach
Coaching 3rd Base is more important than coaching 1st, and Nick has been doing it since the 2012 NWLA Tournament. He is rumored to have once grabbed Hatt or Bortmas, because he was scared they would be pegged out. That is probably illegal, but I think Nick was drinking a lot of Bacardi Razz that day.Michael Sessions #25 - Bench Coach
Sessions is in charge of advanced stats, spray charts, and other work that requires a computer or paper and a pencil. He will tell you he is the Bitch Coach, and no one ever corrects him. He got drunk last year, and spelled ‘Potomac Wiffleball’ as ‘Potato Wiggleball’. It was hilarious.Chris Paquin #19 - Pitching Coach
WSEM is known for pitching, so you need a strong personality to handle these guys. Paquin always seems to have a baseball glove and ball with him, and other leagues look at him funny when he warms pitchers up.Mark Phillips #71 - Hitting Coach
Mark looks really good for his age, and that is important when you are a hitting coach, right? One of his greatest accomplishments is creating Chandler Phillips from his sperm, and the league is grateful for that.Returning Players from 2014
#1 (UT) – Chandler Phillips – El Diablos
I will repeat this again; Chandler Phillips is bar none one of the most electric and controversial players in WSEM. This year he has developed into one of the most dominant dual-threat players in WSEM. Chandler tied for the team lead in regional play with three homeruns and has a career NWLA pitching stat-line of: 3W-1L-1Sv, a 1.91 ERA, with 5 ER, and 40 Strikeouts. Chandler looks to improve from last year at the dish and help bring more of an offensive look to the overall 13th out of 16th offensively ranked Dads. PSA: Chandler not only plays the part but he also looks the part – watch out for his luscious head of hair - rumor has it he hasn’t cut it since he last lost the NWLA tournament.#3 (OF/P) – Sam Hatt – Wicked Aces
If there were one player that I would peg as the “Ideal” NWLA tournament player – It would be Sam Hatt. Last year he struggled at this dish, but rose to the occasion in other aspects of the game. In Round Robin play, it was Sam Hatt, who got the nod versus the 2012 Champion and 2013 Runner Up, Freaky Franchise. He responded by pitching a 12 strikeout – no hitter. Defensively, in double elimination vs. HRL, Sam Hatt threw out the game-tying run at the plate, which ultimately saved the game and tournament for WSEM. Hatt has a career 1.30 ERA in the NWLA tournament and has proven to be a crucial player in the Dad’s lineup. He will return in 2015 as the primary right fielder and will hit in the Dads lineup.#8 (P) - Evan Bischoff – Wicked Aces
When I announced, nearly a year ago today, that I was going to take Evan Bischoff to the NWLA Tournament, I was countered with a lot of criticism and confusion. It is safe to say that after last year’s tournament, Evan Bischoff has silenced those people. This year alone, Evan Bischoff has pitched 44 innings, walked 13, and has recorded 117 strikeouts to complement his 0.55 ERA and 0.59 WHIP. In last year’s tournament, Evan came into the championship game down 1-0 in the third inning and led the dads to a 7-5 victory over Tampa Bay, securing the NWLA title. Evan Bischoff or “Little E” as he is known in the WSEM realm, will serve as a starting pitcher in double elimination play for WSEM. I am fully confident that he will be able to fill the void that Austin and Sunny have left behind.#9 (OF/EH) – Evan Bortmas – Wicked Aces
It goes without saying that Evan Bortmas is without a doubt the best hitter in WSEM History. This season alone, he has posted a .352 AVG, which is a landslide for the league lead in a heavily pitching friendly and pitching dominated league. He led the Dads in both batting average and on base average in their 2014 championship campaign. Evan “Big Hit” Bortmas is most famous for his clutch homerun in the ever-so controversial game versus HRL in 2014. Facing Evan Bortmas is a nightmare for most pitchers in WSEM. Bortmas will be called upon heavily to perform in both the hitting and fielding aspects for the WSEM Dads. Also, he will be the primary Left Fielder in double elimination play for WSEM. Bottom Line: Evan Bortmas is the deadliest man on earth... with a yellow bat.#21 – (OF/EH) – Kyle Tomlinson – El Diablos
The two-time WSEM MVP will be returning for the 2015 WSEM Dad’s quest for a two-peat. Politely put, Kyle Tomlinson had a disappointing tournament from a hitting standpoint and looks to make drastic improvements in that aspect. Regardless, he is still one of the few hitters in WSEM this season that has posted a respectable batting average and his speed and fielding ability also make him a notable threat for opposing teams. Despite his lackluster performance in NWLA last year, he is one of the major threats in this lineup. I will credit his 2014 performance it to a rookie slump. Everyone in WSEM knows what Kyle is capable of doing and I believe this is his year to show everyone else in NWLA what we as a league already know to be true.#33 (DH) – Alex Shore **Manager/Player** – Wicked Aces
“With Austin Bischoff’s relocation to North Dakota, Alex Shore is now the only 4
th year player left on the team. Alex has played in every NWLA Tournament, and has been impressive both as a player and a manager. Including the recent Regional Tournament in Kalamazoo, Alex has a career 10-1-2 record as the WSEM Dads manager. As a player, Alex has a career NWLA .274 batting average, .504 OBP, and .968 OPS. He will be primarily used as an extra hitter, but has seen time in both outfield positions in previous years. Alex has always hit in the #2 spot, providing a spark at the top of the lineup. His clutch performance in the 2014 Tournament made him a Tournament MVP candidate.” – Carl Coffee#48 (P) – Stephen Farkas – Ryan Alex-See Yas
Where does one begin to describe Stephen Farkas – he is the most friendly and energetic player in WSEM and also happens to be the reigning NWLA Tournament MVP and National Pitcher of the Year. If that wasn’t good enough, in tournament play in 2014, he posted a 0.00 ERA recording 30 Strikeouts while only issuing 8 Walks. In WSEM play, He has an astounding 108 strikeouts, 0.31 ERA, 0.64 WHIP and has only given up 2 Earned runs and 15 walks in 39 innings pitched. Farkas will serve as the teams Ace pitcher and will receive very few at bats. In the words of Herb Brooks – “If you hit the ball on Stephen Farkas, I suggest you keep it because it doesn’t happen often.”New Player for 2015
#14 (P/EH) – Travis Strojny – Wolfpack
An incredibly hard decision for any manager to make in a talent filled league is, who is the man that is capable of filling Austin Bischoff’s open spot on the roster? My Answer: Travis Strojny. Strojny had a stellar regional performance posting a 0.00 ERA and 10 strikeouts while only walking one batter in a 3-0 win over a National Tournament guaranteed team – the Griffleball League. At the dish, Strojny led the regional team in batting average at .375; he tied for the lead in hits, including a crucial go ahead RBI versus KWL, and he led the team in OBP with a remarkable .545. It his Strojny’s dual-threat ability that makes him a perfect fit for the 8th and only open spot on this year's team. His charismatic and outgoing personality will make a great fit with the team chemistry that already exists within the WSEM Dads. Look for Travis to serve as a force in both the dads pitching rotation and hitting lineup. Congratulations to you, Travis – hope you are looking forward to some rookie hazing!Alternates
In the event that a player fails to comply with team deadlines or is unavailable to attend the NWLA tournament. The Alternates are as Follows:1st Hitting Alternate – David Castle
1st Pitching Alternate – Craig Skinner
