HISTORY 2014
Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defines “heartbreak” as “a very strong feeling of sadness, disappointment, etc.” or “crushing grief, anguish, or distress.” I don’t think any other word more perfectly sums the 2014 WHAT? Softball.
On Sunday night, at which point I knew I would be writing this article for the WHAT? faithful, I assumed this would have a more playful tone. There was a 2 game lead; it seemed the series was all but over. Since the All-City Championship games have ended though, I’ve struggled to find the words to put down — to make it all okay.
The truth is, WHAT? fans, nothing in this world is going to make those losses okay. That pain you feel? It’s gonna stick around until the middle of January. That’s when the excitement of ball players reporting to Chula Vista Tournament. But until then, you’re going to need to deal with this pain, this wound on your heart.
That should not, however, overshadow a season in which so much else went right. This is a club that was able to emerge from a tough Tuesday Upper League with 17 wins while winning back-to-back league titles. On their way to another Summer Classic, the WHAT? Sftbll squad sent the A.V.P., Mob Squad, Anti Hero and Green Town Tavern clubs home early.
But here’s the plus side of things:
There was very pleasing to see the performance of a number of top young ball players that came through for the WHAT? Sftbll over the summer.
First Basemen Andrew Formica barely got in a full season at the upper levels, but he made a big impression in that short time, hitting .647 / 1.926 OPS, with 36 doubles, 6 triples, 48 home runs, and 200 RBIs. Formica made his debut on October 21st 2013 against Casey’s Corner at SportsPark, C’ going (4 for 6, 2 RBIs / 2 Runs).
Thomas Wolfer also hit very well, playing around the outfield. The right-handed hitter showed his changed approach at the plate in hitting .638 / 1.536 OPS, with 24 doubles, 8 triples, 9 home runs, 127 Runs and 117 RBIs. Wolfer also led his Squad in Games Played (89), Reach-On-Base (228) and Singles (160).
While he was an “older” rookie at 22, the emergence of Jimmy Brando as the fourth outfielder was a very positive development for the WHAT? Sftbll in 2014.
Brando had not had much chance to show his skills on the field at the upper level, when he hit .692 / .713 / 1.186 over 58 games and 247 plate appearances, 31 doubles, 11 triples, 23 home runs, and 120 RBIs.
Teams need to have leaders on the field, and that's why the presence of veteran players on every roster is so important. Ralph Lozano (.602 avg), Joe Yonke (.568 avg), Russell Shoumake (.514 avg), Matt Hermsen (.487 avg) and Bert Ramirez (.465 avg). But, perhaps the most important part of the 2014 season was not the veterans or one of the team's soul-stirring personality.
What followed was an incredible first-year showing that culminated with a Rookie of the Year award, was All-Star shortstop Jeff Johnson sensational 2014 season. Johnson made his debut on June 16th, against Bombers club at SportsPark, B’ going (0 for 2). Collected his first home run on Tuesday June 24th, vs American Outfitters Squad, Gm 2’ at SportsPark, A’. In 36 games played, Johnson batted .612 / 1.854 OPS, with 17 doubles, 3 triples, 20 home runs, and 84 RBIs. Johnson, who was the Player of the Month for August, also won the Sports Personality of the Year and Defenseman of the Year award.
The Club opened the season boasting of their saturated farm system. It was a luxury that became a necessity as the organization ended up having so many holes to fill.
In the end, WHAT? Sftbll used 15 rookies, several of which stepped into critical spots. The 45-man roster included a combination of players on the 15-man roster; 7 to 15-day injured lists, the medical list and the bereavement list, as well as the younger squad.
Without lifts from rookies Jeff Johnson, Kevin Colburn, Jimmy Brando, Matt Maldonado, Tyler Henkel in particular, the season would never have extended to the final days of August.
Other rookie ball players who made their summer debut were infielders Pedro Martinez, Taylor Young, Kyle Schrader and outfielder Tanner Erbach - all played for winning outfits in High School and brought that mentality with them to WHAT? Sftbll.
In between, filling the holes in their outfield and reconfigured the batting order became more of a priority. Their offense gelled and the reinforcements all came from within the organization, as the club only outside acquisition shortstop (Danny Morales) came in August.
Defining moments, there were a collection of them all season. On Tuesday June 3rd down by 1 run going into the bottom of the 7th inning, infielder Andrew Formica cleared the bases with a 3 run home’er to win the game against T.C.B.. During a 6 game span, the defensive unit allowed 16 runs on 23 base hits, only 2 extra base hits in 42 innings of play. It was around that time when it became clear how special the WHAT? Sftbll club were becoming. Players talked openly amongst each other about their potential, and they brainstormed about ways they could make a difference.
88-51 over-all record included a, Tuesday Night Upper League, Tuesday Night Lower League, Monday Night Lower League and a Libertyville Wednesday Night League Champion’s.
Also included was a 2nd place in the All-City Tournament Playoff series. But, the apex of the WHAT? season came on August 12th, when the Squad became Tuesday night league champs for the second consecutive season in a row and 13th over-all league night champs.
Unlike the previous three seasons, the WHAT? Softball club generally kept their best players healthy. The one exception was first basemen Clark Collins, who missed the final three months due to an off-the-field incident. For all the talk about the improved team chemistry, the biggest improvement happened on the infield, where WHAT? Sftbll played like champions all season. Outfielder Thomas Wolfer did his homework to learn how to play right field and went on to put together one of the best Month of July by a player in franchise history. Shortstop Jeffrey Johnson rediscovered his potential and flourish, producing one of the best playoffs push by a ball player in club history.
After injuries and underperformance by older Squad members of Juan Cisneros, Bert Ramirez and Ray Quinones, the Coach turned to the Younger Squad and watched them dominate the final two months of the season. Since situational hitting began being tracked regularly, no team has had near the success with runners in scoring position that the WHAT? Sftbll did this year. With highly-touted prospects in a group that already included the likes of Thomas Wolfer, Jeff Johnson and Kevin Colburn who lived up to their billing when they made their debut.
With the high turnover rate seen this summer, there were several rookies and veteran players who took the field. Some were highly talented with huge expectations, while others were just happy to be strapping on the gear and realizing their wildest dreams. Needless to say, every year some immediately rise to the top while others find out that the game moves a lot faster than expected.
Though the signing of Andrew Formica and Matt Hermsen was questioned by some, they both quickly made the Free-Agent worst signing lists in Softball History.
Formica was one of the game's most exciting players during his time with the WHAT? Sftbll, as he defied gravity with his explosive bat and brought an impressive mix of defense and power offense.
However, Formica was always a good second or third player on a team, as he continued to put up solid offensive numbers, but; he is far from beginning a team leader. That is no one's fault but the WHAT? Sftbll for expecting too much from him.
Hermsen was always lauded for his hustle and his all-out style of play, and he was a fan favorite during his stints in WHAT? Sftbll and Mob squad. Then things really went south as he eventually decided to play with Mob squad for the playoffs, and then he ventured out behind the scenes, assembled a ball club using WHAT? Softball resources. The WHAT? Club will be counting the days until this acquaintance is over.
Regardless to what happens now, they're going to be good again because they'll still have plenty of tough outs up and down in the lineup. With MVP starting pitching as in Ralph Lozano and an elite infield squad, the expectations will be high, but there are no guarantees. But, the WHAT? Men’s Softball club will begin 2015 season with the usual beliefs.