HISTORY 2015
Despite going into the season as the reigning 5 league night champs, many pundits doubted the WHAT? Sftbll in 2015, assuming their pennant run was a fluke built on a hot streak late in the year. The season was the Organization 16th season. They finished with a 58–38 record in the regular season and took third place in the Tuesday Night Upper league.
Their name evokes an image that has become shorthand for head-shaking, awe-inspiring dominance, dropped into opposing team dugouts and sports pub conversations for years after they pummeled their last opponent. When the Club assembled in January for the Chula Vista, hopes were high. Not only were Jeff Johnson, Andrew Formica, Jake Economos, Kevin Colburn, Jimmy Brando, Austin Ward and Thomas Wolfer were expected to produce, their sense of purpose and playoff experience appealed to Lake County softball fans.
At the time, however, the newly-reinforced core primed to generate plenty of value, greatest accomplishment was the cruel reality to deliver on incredible promise.
While it’s easy to lament over these guys as a bust, a ball player that completely flames out before his career even gets going, of greater consternation is an underachiever.
On April 5th, infielder Kevin Colburn had announced his departure, and then on April 23rd, Shortstop Jeff Johnson said he made his decision to quit softball. Johnson would later post his farewell on the team Facebook page, and had said to everybody that he was moving out of town and was done with softball.
With no explanation given at the time, Jake Economos, Austin Ward and Andrew Formica all withdrawal from the up-coming season, leaving without any communications. Though the Club does speculate that their off-the-field troubles have overwhelmed their obligations to the Club and Teammates.
USA Today recently wrote about the importance of clubhouse chemistry, but this article wasn't very illuminating on how exactly it is that clubhouse chemistry leads to more wins. Nevertheless, still adhering to the club long-standing policy of developing players within the system, the WHAT? Sftbll organization quickly restocks the ball club through draft picks.
The WHAT? Sftbll owes much of their 2015 success to the kids known as the "Core Four" – Mike Gould, Ryan Siembal, Kyle Risinger and Bradley Daniel.
In an era when economics or fluctuations in performance force many teams to replenish or revise their club personnel almost annually, the WHAT? Squad' stability and excellence are truly singular.
Individually, they're above-average yet hardly unique. Collectively, they're peerless.
History proves that Risinger, Gould, Siembal and Daniel each have exceeded 35 game appearances for four consecutive seasons. According to softball research, no ball club since at least 2003 has possessed a quartet with equal durability for that long a period.
The WHAT? Sftbll won many of their games in thrilling fashion, with a "never-say-die" attitude that was best captured by individual performances. Mike Gould establishing himself batting a .535 / 1.364 OPS with 81 RBIs. Ryan Siembal showing off his defensive abilities, batted .625 / 1.441 OPS with 54 RBIs. Is positive thinking the reason why Kyle Risinger turned a corner - he batted .500 / 1.171 OPS with 117 Reach on Base. The roller coaster season for outfielder Bradley Daniel, which ended in a stunning performance in the playoffs. Daniel ended up in career highs in every offensive category. Batting .560 / 1.275 OPS with 20 BB’s.
Easily the most shocking story of the season was outfielder Jimmy Brando, when on Tuesday June 2nd, and after arriving 15 minutes late for the game and not in the starting lineup,
Brando storm out of the dugout and left the ballpark before the second inning. On June 20th, first basemen Tyler Henkel’s on-going off the field personal issues took a turn for the worst. Furthermore to avoid being suspended, Henkel was placed on waivers. No further statement was being release.
Both Infielders Danny Morales and Ralph Lozano were terrific, but what's truly remarkable and equally fascinating about these two ball players, was that it's not the story we all envisioned it would be six months ago.
20-year-old Infielder Evan Berliner broke out in a huge way this summer. In 32 games, he batted .562 / 1.248 OPS with 52 Runs, along with his astounding defensive abilities. Fans will tell you how great Adam Tagli name is, and it turns out that his leadership was pretty great too. Tagli batted .607 / 1.532 OPS with 17 XBH.
As is typical in this organization, the younger club had a mix of true prospects (mostly among the hitters) and a substantial
bunch of 'next level' players whose purpose is to be ready to take over.
In terms of true prospects in the mix for next season, are infielders Ryan Dolan, Clayton Stockman and Connor Fitzgerald with outfielders Brad Callahan, 19-year old Ryan Constantino and 17-year old Dylan Cartwright. Who all may not have gotten much attention, yet? But they did hold their own and even showed some power and with some defensive skills.
There are so many names so many moments I haven't mentioned because the WHAT? Sftbll squad really came to life this year, and it was great to see. With perseverance and impressive run scoring, the WHAT? Squad became the All-City Tournament Playoff Champions in Waukegan for the first time in franchise history.
The WHAT? Sftbll got off to a fantastic start at the tournament with a 2 - 1 Win/Lost Saturday record after the first day of competition. The Club on to win 2 more games in the semi-final rounds and won the final 2 games in the championship rounds.
Overall, the Squad outscored their opponents 113 - 92 over seven games. The entire Squad contributed to the team’s success.
Pitching for the WHAT? during this 7 game playoff run was Ralph Lozano.
In order to win the championship, the WHAT? Club had the daunting task of beating Bubba’s club by scoring 8 runs in the bottom of the 7th inning in a walk of fashion to a score of 24 – 23. In the final game they played and beat T.C.B. squad by scoring 5 runs in the bottom of the 7th inning in another walk of fashion to a score of 16 – 15 for the Championship.
In addition to winning the big summer tournament, the WHAT? Club also took 2nd place in the Libertyville Thursday night league playoffs. The squad did finish with the best overall won/lost league record.
This summer was certainly an impressive one for WHAT? Men’s Softball Club as all the squads from the organization went to provincial tournaments.