The Alex Shore era is over, and it’s tough to put into words how truly incredible it was. In his two years managing the Dads, he went 18-2-2 overall, won two National Championships, and has turned WSEM into a powerhouse league. Getting the keys to the shiny new Dads car is none other than Chandler Phillips. WSEM has a few “faces” of the league. However, none of those “faces” are villainized like Chandler. The Evil Empire moniker is because of Chandler. The hatred other leagues have towards WSEM is because of Chandler. The rough edge WSEM has is because of Chandler. It is his turn to drive, and one thing is for sure, it won’t be a boring ride.
Chandler will get his feet wet managing first in the WSEM hosted NWLA Tournament Regional in Morenci, MI. This year, six teams will be playing in each regional, with the Morenci site playing on June 11th. He has picked a team that I wouldn’t exactly call a “B” Team, like so many did last year in Kalamazoo. This is a team that he hopes can make a statement. Enough rambling, here are your 2016 Regional Dads.
Welcome back, Austin. Austin played in the first three years of the NWLA Tournament, before being away for the entire 2015 season because of an internship. He returns in better shape, with longer hair, and is hungry to pitch again in the NWLA Tournament. Because of his time away from the game, Austin will get some action in regionals. Austin will get a start, and could also be used as a hitter, as he has been crushing the ball this year for the Wicked Aces.
Castle is returning once again to the Regional Dads, where he made a big statement last year in K-zoo. Yes, he only had three hits, but all three were clutch home runs, and it is safe to say they wouldn’t have gone 3-0-1 without his bat. He was the 1st alternate to join the team in Ohio, and you have to think he will use that as motivation this year. Castle will most likely be used for his hitting, but could see some time in the field as well.
Nate is one of two NWLA Tournament rookies, and is also the first Islander ever to play in the NWLA Tournament. Nate really exploded onto the scene in 2015, where he helped the Wicked Aces win the Championship. That caught the eye of the Islanders, where he went for the 2nd most money in the draft. In WSEM, he is a super utility player. He pitches, plays any position, and does it all at an above average rate. That kind of flexibility is something that any manager would have to love.
The 2nd NWLA Tournament Dads rookie, Scott Kujawa, has been a name that has quickly spread across the NWLA scene, and his numbers this year are tough to ignore. The Dads national team is already loaded with pitching, but Scott has definitely earned a spot on the Regional Dads. WSEM continues to pump out pitchers, and Scott is the next big name to be pumped out. I believe no other Dad will have more to prove, and no other Dad will get more attention than Scott in Morenci.
Last year, Strojny was in a six-man competition in regionals to see who would replace Austin Bischoff. Strojny ended up pitching a gem against GBL, and also led the team in hitting with a .375 AVG. He was the clear choice to join the national squad. This year, his spot for nationals is secured, but his role in Ohio is unclear. Is he simply a round robin pitcher and emergency relief, or could he be something more? His role in regionals is most likely start a game on the mound, and also see some at-bats as an EH.
Chandler almost sat out to manage only, but then there was some confusion about who the 8th man should be, and to avoid any future headaches, he ended up joining the team. Chandler has a pretty defined role in Dublin, but has never truly broken out yet. He has always been a perfect role player, so getting more playing time won’t hurt. Chandler will pitch a game, and could see some time in the field as well.
With one swing of the bat, Kyle has become a household name in the NWLA community. His walk-off HR against the Freaky Franchise will be remembered for years to come. Kyle really exploded last year in the in Ohio, but if you can recall, he struggled in both 2014, and in regionals last year. It never hurts to get more at-bats, and with Shore’s bat out of the lineup this year, Kyle will be looked at for even more production.
Werner is one of three Red Cox going to Morenci, and he will be playing in his second NWLA Regional Tournament. Werner quietly produced a lot for the Dads in K-zoo, where he had a .500 OBP, and scored four runs, which was 1/3 of the team’s total. Werner should get a lot of at-bats, and will also see some time in the field. His quick short swing, and fast speed makes him a great candidate to leadoff.
Chandler will get his feet wet managing first in the WSEM hosted NWLA Tournament Regional in Morenci, MI. This year, six teams will be playing in each regional, with the Morenci site playing on June 11th. He has picked a team that I wouldn’t exactly call a “B” Team, like so many did last year in Kalamazoo. This is a team that he hopes can make a statement. Enough rambling, here are your 2016 Regional Dads.
Austin Bischoff #24, P Wicked Aces
Welcome back, Austin. Austin played in the first three years of the NWLA Tournament, before being away for the entire 2015 season because of an internship. He returns in better shape, with longer hair, and is hungry to pitch again in the NWLA Tournament. Because of his time away from the game, Austin will get some action in regionals. Austin will get a start, and could also be used as a hitter, as he has been crushing the ball this year for the Wicked Aces.David Castle #50, OF/EH Red Cox
Castle is returning once again to the Regional Dads, where he made a big statement last year in K-zoo. Yes, he only had three hits, but all three were clutch home runs, and it is safe to say they wouldn’t have gone 3-0-1 without his bat. He was the 1st alternate to join the team in Ohio, and you have to think he will use that as motivation this year. Castle will most likely be used for his hitting, but could see some time in the field as well.Nathan Gendron #47, UT Islanders
Nate is one of two NWLA Tournament rookies, and is also the first Islander ever to play in the NWLA Tournament. Nate really exploded onto the scene in 2015, where he helped the Wicked Aces win the Championship. That caught the eye of the Islanders, where he went for the 2nd most money in the draft. In WSEM, he is a super utility player. He pitches, plays any position, and does it all at an above average rate. That kind of flexibility is something that any manager would have to love.Scott Kujawa #25, P Red Cox
The 2nd NWLA Tournament Dads rookie, Scott Kujawa, has been a name that has quickly spread across the NWLA scene, and his numbers this year are tough to ignore. The Dads national team is already loaded with pitching, but Scott has definitely earned a spot on the Regional Dads. WSEM continues to pump out pitchers, and Scott is the next big name to be pumped out. I believe no other Dad will have more to prove, and no other Dad will get more attention than Scott in Morenci.Travis Strojny #14, P/EH Wolfpack
Last year, Strojny was in a six-man competition in regionals to see who would replace Austin Bischoff. Strojny ended up pitching a gem against GBL, and also led the team in hitting with a .375 AVG. He was the clear choice to join the national squad. This year, his spot for nationals is secured, but his role in Ohio is unclear. Is he simply a round robin pitcher and emergency relief, or could he be something more? His role in regionals is most likely start a game on the mound, and also see some at-bats as an EH.Chandler Phillips #1, P/OF El Diablos
Chandler almost sat out to manage only, but then there was some confusion about who the 8th man should be, and to avoid any future headaches, he ended up joining the team. Chandler has a pretty defined role in Dublin, but has never truly broken out yet. He has always been a perfect role player, so getting more playing time won’t hurt. Chandler will pitch a game, and could see some time in the field as well.Kyle Tomlinson #21, OF El Diablos
With one swing of the bat, Kyle has become a household name in the NWLA community. His walk-off HR against the Freaky Franchise will be remembered for years to come. Kyle really exploded last year in the in Ohio, but if you can recall, he struggled in both 2014, and in regionals last year. It never hurts to get more at-bats, and with Shore’s bat out of the lineup this year, Kyle will be looked at for even more production.Stephen Werner #29, OF Red Cox
Werner is one of three Red Cox going to Morenci, and he will be playing in his second NWLA Regional Tournament. Werner quietly produced a lot for the Dads in K-zoo, where he had a .500 OBP, and scored four runs, which was 1/3 of the team’s total. Werner should get a lot of at-bats, and will also see some time in the field. His quick short swing, and fast speed makes him a great candidate to leadoff.