by: Drew Slater
Headed to Ohio, the BWBL Breaker Boys are excited, motivated but most of all full of questions. Who will be present on the mound? Who's going to step up on the big stage? Who will fill the shoes that Steve Dotzel, Andy Peck, and Brandon Haydt left? All of those questions should be answered within the coming weeks.
Seen by many as a very weak side, the Breaker Boys are out to show that they are very capable and could do what it takes to make a run in the NWLA Tournament. Being labeled as the "Dangerfield Favorites" should give them even more of a reason to want to go and show what they are made of. A tie with a national favorite in Hess Wiffle® Ball during regionals also gives them a confidence boost and puts them on Cloud Nine. They should be staged to potentially make a run with the band of talented players they have assembled from those who were at regionals.
Kevin Sickle: The skipper of the Breaker Boys, his guidance and extensive Wiffle® ball knowledge will be crucial to the success of this side at nationals. Assembling a team from the entire BWBL, he has the utmost confidence in his squad. Seeing only one at bat in his NWLA career, he doesn't have much in-game experience. However, he may need to see some time in the batter’s box and possibly on the mound when pool play comes up Saturday in Ohio.
Doug Novitski: He was a huge piece of the success in regionals. Sporting a .600 batting average with five RBI and a home run to boot, his bat will be much needed when nationals rolls around. He is also the favorite to be the ace of the staff as he only allowed three runs in five innings of work. His blazing speed could also turn a no-brainer single into a double, no questions asked. When not on the mound, he will most likely be asked to hold down left field like he did in regionals. The Breaker Boys will be looking for great production out of Doug at nationals.
Daulton Shearer: The only veteran of sorts that the BWBL side is bringing with them to nationals, they will look to him as a potential number two pitcher and a power bat in the lineup. He struggled at regionals, only managing to eek out one hit. He also saw trouble against a very talented Hudson Valley squad, and couldn't quite make it out of the inning in his only appearance on the mound. If he could put regionals behind him, the rest of the field better watch out because he has potential to have a HUGE tournament.
Drew Slater: He was a huge question mark coming in to regionals as he had the least experience with this type of pitching and play style. He held his own, batting .333 and even smacking a home run and driving in six. He also had the most walks on the team, but did show some signs of being swing-happy. He is also a candidate for being the number two pitcher, as he saw three innings at regionals and allowed two runs. He will most likely be in the field for the majority of the tournament, just like he was at regionals.
However, there were some that could not make it to the NWLA Tournament with the Breaker Boys. Dotzel, Peck and Haydt will not be making the journey, so Sickle had to look elsewhere for the production and brought in two very suitable and talented players.
J.J. Neely: In his second season in the BWBL, he is putting up great numbers both at the plate and on the mound. A potential number two or bullpen pitcher, Neely brings the depth the Breaker Boys need.
Brett Rooney: He is a three year player in the BWBL and is getting his shot on the NWLA stage. His power numbers are there, but his pitching is a bit of a concern. If needed, he could be a formidable pool play pitcher. Coming in with a good eye, the Breaker Boys will need him to get on base.
This team has changed a lot from regionals to now, and with nationals less than two weeks away, they will need to figure out roles and a solid lineup and pitching staff. They are all looking forward to the tournament and can't wait to show off what they got on the big stage.
Headed to Ohio, the BWBL Breaker Boys are excited, motivated but most of all full of questions. Who will be present on the mound? Who's going to step up on the big stage? Who will fill the shoes that Steve Dotzel, Andy Peck, and Brandon Haydt left? All of those questions should be answered within the coming weeks.
Seen by many as a very weak side, the Breaker Boys are out to show that they are very capable and could do what it takes to make a run in the NWLA Tournament. Being labeled as the "Dangerfield Favorites" should give them even more of a reason to want to go and show what they are made of. A tie with a national favorite in Hess Wiffle® Ball during regionals also gives them a confidence boost and puts them on Cloud Nine. They should be staged to potentially make a run with the band of talented players they have assembled from those who were at regionals.
Kevin Sickle: The skipper of the Breaker Boys, his guidance and extensive Wiffle® ball knowledge will be crucial to the success of this side at nationals. Assembling a team from the entire BWBL, he has the utmost confidence in his squad. Seeing only one at bat in his NWLA career, he doesn't have much in-game experience. However, he may need to see some time in the batter’s box and possibly on the mound when pool play comes up Saturday in Ohio.
Doug Novitski: He was a huge piece of the success in regionals. Sporting a .600 batting average with five RBI and a home run to boot, his bat will be much needed when nationals rolls around. He is also the favorite to be the ace of the staff as he only allowed three runs in five innings of work. His blazing speed could also turn a no-brainer single into a double, no questions asked. When not on the mound, he will most likely be asked to hold down left field like he did in regionals. The Breaker Boys will be looking for great production out of Doug at nationals.
Daulton Shearer: The only veteran of sorts that the BWBL side is bringing with them to nationals, they will look to him as a potential number two pitcher and a power bat in the lineup. He struggled at regionals, only managing to eek out one hit. He also saw trouble against a very talented Hudson Valley squad, and couldn't quite make it out of the inning in his only appearance on the mound. If he could put regionals behind him, the rest of the field better watch out because he has potential to have a HUGE tournament.
Drew Slater: He was a huge question mark coming in to regionals as he had the least experience with this type of pitching and play style. He held his own, batting .333 and even smacking a home run and driving in six. He also had the most walks on the team, but did show some signs of being swing-happy. He is also a candidate for being the number two pitcher, as he saw three innings at regionals and allowed two runs. He will most likely be in the field for the majority of the tournament, just like he was at regionals.
However, there were some that could not make it to the NWLA Tournament with the Breaker Boys. Dotzel, Peck and Haydt will not be making the journey, so Sickle had to look elsewhere for the production and brought in two very suitable and talented players.
J.J. Neely: In his second season in the BWBL, he is putting up great numbers both at the plate and on the mound. A potential number two or bullpen pitcher, Neely brings the depth the Breaker Boys need.
Brett Rooney: He is a three year player in the BWBL and is getting his shot on the NWLA stage. His power numbers are there, but his pitching is a bit of a concern. If needed, he could be a formidable pool play pitcher. Coming in with a good eye, the Breaker Boys will need him to get on base.
This team has changed a lot from regionals to now, and with nationals less than two weeks away, they will need to figure out roles and a solid lineup and pitching staff. They are all looking forward to the tournament and can't wait to show off what they got on the big stage.