HISTORY 2011
The last few years, the Rebels have been in the middle of the pack. While they have been competitive, they haven’t been great, but they haven’t been terrible either. They’ve been a team, who you can’t sleep on, but more importantly, no one ever knows what to expect from them; this year was the same story for these Rebels.
The Rebels came out of the gates very slowly winning only 4 of their first 9 games; however, they were able to eventually get their record above five hundred, and became very competitive as the young season went on. Their early season revival was thanks to their elite core of guys, but also the surprise season that veteran pitcher Ralph Lozano put together. After two mediocre seasons, Lozano had a very productive year with the Rebels. He hit over .600 for most the year, and has was the Rebels most consistent hitter; however, while Lozano was highly successful last summer, two other veterans struggled.
As the Rebels played their way back to respectability, two key veterans held them back from making that playoff run – Joey Ratliff and Ron Inden. While both players were on the back nine of their careers, they both hit under .440 and were even benched at times due to lack of production at the plate that held the Rebels back from making a true playoff run.
You can point to a number of things, but none was more obvious than the worst injury to hit the team in recent memory, perhaps ever. With All-Star shortstop Matt Mitchell going on the 4-week disable-list on June 29th with an ankle contusion, the team performance level was not what the club had projected. Collectively, the Rebels didn't play as consistently as in previous Months.
On that same day first basemen Clark Collins and catcher Chuck Breucher both announced that they would also be temporally out of the line-up for twenty days.
A Little too much came on Friday Night July 22nd; when rookie outfielder Justin Yonke decided he did not want to play. After a 10-day holdout, Justin returns to the line-up on August 3rd against the P.F. Flyers club, but his return was short and brief again Justin Yonke walk away from the team, and broke off all lines of communications.
We’ve been spoiled with a plethora of rookie riches over the past several seasons. Several rookies have stepped into everyday lineups and have become key contributors for Lake County clubs.
Lately, they haven’t even been the prospects we’ve expected to make the biggest impacts in a given season.
It started last season with Noah Sullivan and ascended to rookie outfielder Rich McGowan who made his team debut June 28th against Other Place Squad at SportsPark , A’ going (1 for 3, Run).
McGowan collected his first extra base hit (Triple) on Tuesday July 12th, 2011 against Time Out Club, Gm 1. at SportsPark, C’. - Rookie outfielder Jared Yonke made his team debut on July 5th vs. Outdoorsman Squad at. SportsPark ‘B’, going ( 1 for 4 , RBI ).
Two of this year’s top rookie contributors, OF Drew Recker and IF Riley Inden, were on the Top 50 prospects list this season.
Both made their team debut on July 9th at Logger Park, against Thunder Wolfs Club. Recker went (1 for 3, 2 RBIs) / Inden went (1 for 3, RBI).
The Rebels Tuesday night squad record was 6 wins and 14 lose. With (8) of those (14) games lost came against - CTL Global and Elite Club. The Anastasia’s Wednesday night squad record was 8 wins and 12 lose.
The Squad had to endure the likes of - Lake County Knights, Bubba’s and W.T.P. Softball.
The Rebels Tuesday night squad record was 6 wins and 14 lose. With (8) of those (14) games lost came against - CTL Global and Elite Club. The Anastasia’s Wednesday night squad record was 8 wins and 12 lose. The Squad had to endure the likes of - Lake County Knights, Bubba’s and W.T.P. Softball. On witch all three clubs finish - 1, 2, 3 in the standings and in the finals with W.T.P. Softball winning the All-City Championship.
The WHAT? Men’s Traveling Softball Club entered 9 summer tournaments and ended up with a record of (22 wins and 20 lost). The Rebels finished the season with a 43 and 60 overall record.
Their season was a roller-coaster ride, which featured streaky runs, veteran players both progressing and declining, as well as a fire sale, and even featured the rise of a young phenom.