2005  S e a s o n

The WHAT? Softball Club offense didn’t fully come together until after the Mid-Season break. Since then, however, The Rebel lineup has looked like the deep, well-rounded group of hitters most expected it to be when the club acquired Nathan DeRohan in early June.

DeRohan especially has taken off in the second half, slashing .767/.851/1.542 with 18 extra base hits and 25 RBI. Only Rick Garza and Chris Minor have driven in more runs in that span. After eliminating his leg kick, outfielder Steve Guarini ignited the lineup out of the lead-off spot with his ability to hit the ball to all fields and elite speed.

The WHAT? Sftbll Club 2004 playoffs run. This version of the WHAT? Sftbll won 31 games, and took second place on Tuesday night, earned three Gold Gloves Awards, Silver Slugger Award, and the Comeback Player of the Year Award. It also had three members in the lineup who each recorded over 50 Runs. It was also a team that featured Nathan DeRohan, Rick Garza, and Ralph Lozano, who became known collectively as the MV3, since all three players were in the running for the MVP Award.

By August of 2004, this team looked like a sure Championship winner and maybe the greatest team ever assembled by the WHAT? Sftbll Club. It was an offensive steamroller and defensive juggernaut that seemed unstoppable as it went into the All-City Playoffs Tournament.

Summer  League  Roster

Pitchers

Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders

Utility Players
Jeff  WilsonJonathan  Schumacher Dallas  Rixie David  Hill Chris  Minor
Kevin  Lowery Marco  Cenventes Jerry  Vasquez
Nathan  DeRohan Mike  Sroka Tony  Cauvall
Ralph  LozanoRick  Garza
Ross  Jensen Steve  Guarini
Steve  Turk Tim  O'Connor

By August of 2004, this team looked like a sure Championship winner and maybe the greatest team ever assembled by the WHAT? Sftbll Club. It was an offensive steamroller and defensive juggernaut that seemed unstoppable as it went into the All-City Playoffs Tournament.

Summer  League  Stats

#PossTEAMGmPAABRunsOBHitsO.B.P1H2H3H4HS.L.GX.B.RBIsKOBBA.V.GO.P.SRERFCSFDPR / GOB / GH / GBI / G
8SSDEROHANNathan28110102547565.6824091331.069254408.6371.75022001.92.72.31.6
16LFGARZARick38139131628474.60442173121.015327618.5651.62029001.62.21.92.0
22LCGUARINISteve166254314132.66125340.79671528.5931.45813001.92.62.00.9
173BJENSENRoss269779326443.66033604.7721046418.5441.43236001.22.51.71.8
091BLOZANORalph34123116547566.61047928.888194707.5691.49826001.62.21.91.4
35RFO'CONNORTim238177294843.59337321.68862314.5581.28112001.32.11.91.0
25UPSCHUMACHERJonathan37124104476945.55644100.442121320.433.99945001.31.91.20.6
272BTURKSteve3410999356249.56948100.505130310.4951.07437001.01.81.40.9
29CVASQUEZJeery237565164533.60030300.554329410.5081.15424000.72.01.41.3
4PWILSONJeff3211198286249.55942151.643726313.5001.20106000.91.91.50.8
34OFCENVEANTESMarco3210583336338.60036200.482225122.4581.08237001.02.01.20.8
0UPCOUVALLTony218069374732.58821452.7541115211.4641.34145001.82.21.50.7
18OFHILLDavid255222.4002000.4000100.400.80001001.01.01.00.5
353BLOWERYKevin124643242922.63089141.047141803.5121.67741002.02.41.81.5
20PMINORChris145149263429.66719532.939102702.5921.60531001.92.42.11.9
10SSRIXIEDallas124644192921.63018210.56831322.4771.19933001.62.41.81.1
13OFSMOLEZach298576.77850101.0001401.7501.77800002.53.53.02.0
0UPSROKAMike247772233527.45523112.50042155.375.95535001.01.51.10.9
18OFTORRESLouie277254.7143100.7141500.5711.42901001.02.52.02.5
STARTERS421031925388625499.606388532929.75411135721106.5391.3602050009.214.911.98.5
T O T A L S 4214931335570893695.598535784339.73116050034158.5211.32940750013.621.316.511.9

However, this is the team that fell short of a City Championship title, being swept by the Jesse Oak’s and then Z-Force club in two games. Therefore, can a team be called the greatest team in franchise history and still not win a City Championship? I believe you can and this version of the Rebel Softball Club could be called, at the least, one of the greatest.

Most  Valuable  Player

Nathan DeRohan was terrific in 2005. The man seems to be able to do it all: rob base hits, steal extra bases, and crush the ball. He won a Gold Glove. He reached base at a .600 clip and delivered 25 extra-base hits in 28 games. He was the man on the Rebels, but never believed he was The Man in the Lake County Leagues. The All-Star infielder Nathan DeRohan hit .637 / .682 / 1.069 with 3 home runs, 9 doubles and 13 triples in 28 games. The Come-Back Player of the Year award winner, proved quite versatile as well, starting games at shortstop, second base and left center field throughout the season. DeRohan incredible 7.6 WAR season marked the second time in his big league career, the other being that 2003 rookie campaign, in which he registered a 8+ WAR. Undoubtedly DeRohan has been one of softball’s best since his arrival.

Rookie of the Year

One of the biggest single factors in the Rebels’ improvement this season was the solidification of the status of 24-year-old right fielder Tim O’Connor as one of softball’s best and youngest superstars. The Rookie of the Year award winner Tim O’Connor hit for a .558 / .593 / .688 slash line with 7 extra base hits, 23 RBI, and 29 runs scored.

Tim O’Connor made his team debut on June 2nd, 2005 against Cardinal Health at Jefferson North, going 1 for 3. Collected his first triple on Tuesday June 14th, 2005 vs. Go Jo’s Softball, Gm.1 at Belvedere North. Collected his home run on Thursday June 30th, 2005 vs. Club 18 Softball, Gm.2 at Belvedere North.

This is a genuine softball card of the famous shortstop, Nathan DeRohan and Rookie outfielder Tim O'Connor. DeRohan card was made during his last days with the Rebels. This is an authentic card of young shortstop super star and Rookie of the Year Tim O’Connor comes with a certificate of authenticity on the back of the card.

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