2 0 2 3  S e a s o n

So, what happened this season? To put it bluntly, this team was too inconsistent in all game phases. Errors, walks, strikeouts, a lack of run support, and inexperience all affected the overall production of this squad. The defense was average at best this season, as the WHAT? Sftbll Club were last in the league in fielding percentage. Errors, mental and physical, can decrease the overall confidence of a team.

Lets begin by looking the positive signs of the 2023 season – The WHAT? Sftbll Club finished the season with a 13-7 record, their best record in 5 years.. They had a power hitter in the form of Jake Munson with 10 home runs, .621 Avg, 1.084 SLG, 23 extra base hits and 50 RBIs.. Drake Larriuz led the club with a .699 Avg, 5 HRs, 60 runs and 79 base hits with 27 extra base hits.. Junior Creekmore, Ito Rivera and Ryan Siembal all belted 5 home runs themselves.

Summer  Roster

Summer League Standing

As noted in the epilogue, the WHAT? Sftbll Club started the season hot but, after the mid-season break, it collapsed. This is where the GM Rusty Shackleford did his best job. The team acquired Collin Glassman and Peter Hyde, who brought fresh air to the clubhouse and in a way saved the WHAT? Sftbll’ season.

Now, you have to remember that we are talking about the WHAT? Sftbll Club, who, for some reason, can’t get over itself. There is always something bad lurking around the corner when something positive happens to this franchise. There was a Noah sign on the sky for Noah Roth to appear from the darkness!

The WHAT? Sftbll’ 2023 season came to a disappointing close with a two-game playoff sweep. After a thrilling regular season that saw the WHAT? Sftbll make the playoffs in a full season completely healthy, for the first time in years with a winning record, the abrupt exit left fans with mixed emotions … The WHAT? Sftbll’ playoff dreams were dashed as they lost both games of the short series, culminating in an 18-8 loss in the final game. The WHAT? Sftbll struggled to ignite their offense throughout the series, failing to find their groove when it mattered most.

Despite the disappointing playoff exit, the WHAT? Sftbll Club can look back on the 2023 season with pride and satisfaction. This year marked a significant turning point for the franchise. The race between age and expertise is what determines whether an softball players can have the best season of their career after their body begins to fail. But in this case, there seems to be some maturity coming along from current ballplayers. Some of the standout performers of the season were Brad Callahan, Jake Munson, Kyle Risinger and Connor Fitzgerald.

Another glaring issue was the WHAT? Sftbll’ struggles to score runs consistently, and despite their playoff run, they lacked the offensive firepower needed to compete at the highest level. Investing in their offense will be crucial if they hope to become serious contenders in the future.

Season Stats

Summer League Stats

STARTERS#PossGmPAABRunsOBHitsO.B.P1H2H3H4HS.L.GX.B.RBIsKOBBA.V.GO.P.SRERFCSFDPR / GOB / GH / GBI / G
ARCHIBALD Aaron8SS2810797396756.62643850.7631334010.5771.38917211.42.42.01.2
CALLAHANBrad9RC206663234037.60629431.79481803.5871.40005101.22.01.90.9
CREEKJames69P288870255234.59134000.486015318.4861.07702370.91.91.20.5
CREEKMORE Junior17C289484285342.56431605.7501133510.5001.31415121.01.91.51.2
FITZGERALD Connor31B247970223425.43021301.44342649.357.87307320.91.41.01.1
LARRIUZDrake34MF28113113607979.6995217551.071274830.6991.77004102.12.82.81.7
MUNSONJake27LC2610095416559.65036121101.084235085.6211.73415121.62.52.31.9
RISINGERKyle13RF269083325446.60035443.807112367.5541.40718311.22.11.80.9
RIVERAIto25UP269590305852.61137915.867154415.5781.47711621.22.22.01.7
ROTHNoah7UP103535112020.57114213.94361500.5711.51402101.12.02.01.5
SANCHEZJason5OF247672243429.44726201.47231634.403.92016401.01.41.20.7
SIEMBALRyan283B2810183316042.59428815.8071432118.5061.40101301.12.11.51.1
GLASSMANCollin14OF266233.5003000.5000000.5001.00001001.01.51.50.0
HYDEPeter2UP62424599.3755202.7084500.3751.08301000.81.51.50.8
KUSTERKevin0UP255011.2001000.2000030.200.40000000.00.50.50.0
MARCINKUSTony0OF277033.4293000.4290000.429.85700000.01.51.50.0
TUTTLEJustin0C254121.4001000.2500011.250.65001000.51.00.50.0
Totals 2810911001374634538.581399772141.7791393593890.5371.360656291713.422.619.212.8
STARTERS 281044955366616521.590386752139.7911353543489.5461.381653291713.122.018.612.6

Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.

In the end, the 2023 season was a tale of two sides for the WHAT? Sftbll Club. While the playoff sweep was disappointing, the season as a whole marked a significant step forward for the franchise. The WHAT? Sftbll have rekindled excitement among their fanbase, tasted postseason softball once again, and demonstrated their potential to contend in the future. The ball is now in the players’ court to decide if they are willing to make the financial push necessary to take the next step towards greatness.

Most  Valuable  Player

Ito Rivera, has previously been close to the award, but this was his best shot by far. His previous top-10 finishes were fifth (2013), sixth (2016), fourth (2018) and eighth (2019) before being the top dog this season. Ito Rivera hit .578 Avg / .611 OBP (1.477 OPS+) with 9 doubles, a triple, 5 homers, 44 RBI, 30 runs and 4.9 WAR during the abbreviated 2023 campaign.

Winning both August Player of the Month Award and Utility Player of the Year Award, it’s arguably Ito Rivera best season of a stellar career with the WHAT? Sftbll, along with his first winning season, even if it was an abbreviated 26-game campaign. It also was a bit of a proving ground for the 48-year-old, who came to Spring Training in the best shape of his life.

We all have a soul family, the ones that ignite and support our truth. They feed something in us we weren’t aware we needed before them. They’ll make you face yourself and become raw and authentic. You’ll roam but never too far from eachother for the invisible thread of connectedness; once opened can never be locked. They are the ones who will see you through all the awkward days of your life no matter what tributes and trials you face. They’ll just be there, in presence, in synchronicity or in spirit.

Rookie of the Year

WHAT? Sftbll utility player Noah Roth is Softball America’s 2023 Rookie of the Year, making this his first ever major league award to be won in his up and coming career. The Nevada native, earn the honor in unanimous fashion, receiving all 30 first-place votes cast by members of the Softball Writers’ Association of America.

Made his team debut on Tuesday, May, 9th, 2023 vs. PF Flyers Squad, Gm 1. at SportsPark A’.. He ranked first among Lake County rookies in bWAR, fWAR (3.6), home runs (3), triple, RBIs (15), while batting .571 with an 1.514 OPS in 10 games and winning a Silver Slugger Award in the utility category.

Fall League Stats

TEAM#PossGmPAABRunsOBHitsO.B.P1H2H3H4HS.L.GX.B.RBIsKOBBA.V.GO.P.SRERFCSFDPR / GOB / GH / GBI / G
ARCHIBALD Aaron8SS113634131815.5006513.91292012.4411.41212301.21.61.41.8
CALLAHANBrad9RC6181861110.6117201.8333700.5561.44410201.01.81.71.2
CREEKJames69P11302710139.4339000.3330413.333.76710020.91.20.80.4
CREEKMORE Junior17C113737182525.676106091.568152300.6762.24301201.62.32.32.1
FITZGERALD Connor31B113128172319.74297121.214101413.6791.95610001.52.11.71.3
GLASSMANCollin14OF7191791311.68410001.8241602.6471.50800101.31.91.60.9
HYDEPeter2UP113634121917.52811411.76561202.5001.29202201.11.71.51.1
LARRIUZDrake34MF113736172322.62216402.88961311.6111.51100401.52.12.01.2
MUNSONJake27LC113331161917.576112041.00061412.5481.57600111.51.71.51.3
RISINGERKyle13RF9232171311.5657112.9524812.5241.51801100.81.41.20.9
RIVERAIto25UP113732192621.703141061.25072015.6561.95300101.72.41.91.8
SANCHEZJason5OF9221981512.6829300.78931103.6321.47102100.91.71.31.2
SIEMBALRyan283B113631192520.694126021.03281105.6451.72700001.72.31.81.0
VAUGHANKyle0UP288466.75041011.2502400.7502.00000022.03.03.02.0
Totals 11403373175249215.61813542434.98480167730.5761.6024818515.922.619.515.2

Team Memorabilia

This is a 2023 authentic softball trading card of Gold Glover’s from WHAT? Right Center Fielder’s Brad Callahan and Jake Munson. SP Chirography Card represents Brad Callahan and Jake Munson. There is a certificate of authenticity from the CEO of Softball Trading Cards on the back of the card.

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