Top 5 Hitters at the Halfway Point

		The Castle Chronicle
		by David Castle

Kyle Tomlinson (El Diablos) It’s no surprise that this kid is on the top of the list, after facing the likes of Farkas and Austin Bischoff, he is still batting an astounding .370 while compiling a league best 34 hits. In my opinion, he is the toughest out in WSEM. .370 AVG | .707 SLG% | 7 HR | 26 RBI		David Castle (King Friday) Castle is picking up right where he left off in 2013 with a solid first half of the 2014 season. He is near the top in every offensive category with a .365 average and 6 big jacks. He quietly putting together a solid 2014 campaign. .365 AVG | .746 SLG% | 6 HR | 19 RBI
Dennis Pearson (Holy Balls) After a very slow start, Dennis is back in the upper echelon in just about every hitting category with 9 homers and 25 RBIs. He also is touting a pretty good average for a guy not really known for his plate discipline with a .343 average. .362 AVG | .768 SLG% | 9 HR | 25 RBI		Evan Bortmas (Westside Warriors) Having only 10 games played this year, I didn’t really look at his stats for his ranking. Everyone in the league knows this guy can hit the ball, and he will continue to do so. .311 AVG | .422 SLG% | 1 HR | 10 RBI

Dylan Braden (Holy Balls) D is having a very good year that is going unnoticed. He has a .324 average and has managed to hit 7 bombs to go along with 22 RBI. This guy deserves more recognition and will get it if he continues to rip the cover off the ball. .324 AVG | .732 SLG% | 7 HR | 22 RBI

Preseason Top 5 Hitters

		The Castle Chronicle
		by David Castle

So far this offseason we have put together rankings for just about everything, from the most underrated players in the league, to the fields we play on in WSEM. This article will just add to that notion as I rank the Top 5 hitters in all of WSEM.

Before the switch to the Griffey and ProStix bats, this was without a doubt a pitchers league, however now it’s a totally different game, one where hitters can thrive. Just like Carl, I will also release the Top 5 Hitters rankings four times throughout the year: preseason, two in the midseason, and after the season is over.

5.  David Castle  -  Westside Warriors

He had his best season offensively in his short 2 years in the league, batting over .400 and coming in second to only “The GOAT” (Dennis Pearson) in home runs with 13. It will be hard to repeat in 2014 with more teams becoming more talented, but not many can say they hit 2 homeruns off of Sam Hatt in the same game; Hatt should be thankful that Castle is on his team this year.

4.  Dakota Ladouceur  -  El Diablos

Dakota can be very clutch, but at times he can be as streaky as my underwear. He knows how to hit the ball all over the field and has above average power. Having a .326 average in a league with some of the most dominant pitching in all of the country isn’t an easy task and I salute him for that. However, this year I look for his average to dip a little and his power numbers to go up to pick up the production lost by Nicco.

3.  Dennis Pearson  -  Holy Balls

I had the privilege to play on Dennis’ team for a handful of games before the Ducks franchise sank. I don’t think I have ever seen any one hit wiffle balls as far as Dennis does, it’s a sight to see. He handedly won the homerun title hitting 22 long balls, 9 more than the second place hitter, and in the 2014 season, he will eclipse the 30 homer mark with ease.

2.  Kyle Tomlinson  -  El Diablos

I think the number two and one spots on this list can be interchangeable, however I put KT here because he isn’t as good of a hitter against top notch pitching as Evan Bortmas is. I’m not saying Kyle is a bad hitter in any way, shape, or form. After all, he did win the 2013 league MVP by batting over .400, having over 40 RBIs, and hitting 10 big jacks. I can see him repeating his MVP season with no problem.

1.  Evan Bortmas  -  Westside Warriors

Evan Bortmas can straight up hit the ball. He can utilize the whole field and can also hit for monster power. He had an awesome season last year hitting over .400, having just under 40 RBIs, and 10 homers. The way he can hit proven pitching is just amazing, he can take over an entire series with his bat, which not many players can do. I believe he will win his second MVP this year, by putting on a clinic at the plate.

End of the Season Top 10 Hitters

		Coffee Time
		by Carl Coffee

I originally said the hitter rankings would be one or two weeks after the pitcher rankings, but as you know, things go much slower in the offseason. I will just blame the delay on this; hitter rankings are obviously much tougher to decide since everyone hits.

This season was all about pitching. We did not have anyone hit over .400, and only five players hit over .300. The pitching was so dominant, it has caused us to make some rule changes next year to help boost up hitting.

Instead of boring everyone with stats, I am going to try to make this article a little bit more personal. I will be mentioning the ten guys’ strengths, and how their offensive abilities helped their respective teams. There will be some stats thrown in here and there, but it won’t be overkill. Congrats to everyone who made the list!

10. Joel Crozier  –  Whiteford Wicked Aces
Joel Crozier is the ultimate grind it out type of player. I would compare him to Andy Dirks, who does a lot of things well. Even though Joel’s stats aren’t eye poppingly amazing, all of his offensive stats are above average. His stats impressed the league enough to vote him onto the very talented Ringler All-Star team. Joel is the guy any team would love to have, and I expect another big year out of him in 2013.


9. Alex Linebrink  –  Campus Commandos
I love seeing Alex on this list, and he deservingly earned a spot on it. Alex’s 2012 season earned him both the Most Improved Player award, and a spot on the Garcia All-Star team. He was the glue to the Commandos, and his 24 games played were highest on the team. Alex will not return to the Commandos in 2013 but instead will run his own team. I believe he deserves to have his #7 retired at Lafayette Park.


8. Dennis Pearson  –  Thunder Ducks
Dennis sure did set the bar high in 2011, so although he had a terrible season for his standards, he still had a decent year for league standards. His batting average and RBI total took a dive, but he is still one of the most feared power hitters in the league. Dennis once again had double digit home runs with 10, which was fourth best in the league. The Ducks will live with Dennis batting ~.250 if he continues to pound the ball next year. However, I expect with the new rules in place, he will see his average once again rise over the .300 mark.

7. Austin Bischoff  –  Whiteford Wicked Aces
What doesn’t Austin Bischoff do? Well, not much. The Clown Shu winner also is one of the top hitters in the league. His stats are similar to Joel’s, just a tad better in every category. I don’t believe you will ever see Austin win a HR or a batting title, but he brings consistency, which is very valuable.



6. Josh Nagorski  –  Thunder Ducks
Cue Rodney Dangerfield, “I get no respect”. That should be Josh’s battle cry, because quite frankly, I don’t think the league knows how good he truly is. Josh had a .333 batting average which is good enough for fourth best. He brings occasional power as well, along with nearly a .400 OBP. Josh has now flown under the radar for two seasons, and you have to wonder if he will finally earn some respect in 2013.


5. Sam Hatt  –  Manchester Punchouts
Sam Hatt was the third best hitter on the Punchouts… let that soak in. No wonder this team went 26-2 and most likely would have won the title if they had more than two players in the end. Even though Sam is more known for his pitching, he is nowhere near a slouch in the batters box. Sam was one of the five players in the league to bat over .300, and also is one of the quickest on the base baths. His power numbers are average, but he served as the perfect table setter for his teammates.


4. Dylan Braden  –  Thunder Ducks
When I first started thinking about who would make the list, I knew Dylan would find his way on it. I figured Dylan, who has always been looked at - in my eyes - as the sidekick of the DD Boys to Dennis, would be in the 8-10 range. Looking at his stats, though, he is now the leader of the DD Boys and a true power hitting star. Dylan was third in the league in both home runs (13) and OPS (.986). For the second straight season, Dylan’s power numbers earned him a spot on the All-Star team. Dylan is quietly becoming one of the best hitters in the league, and I only see him getting better.

3. Dakota LaDouceur  –  Manchester Punchouts
Dakota had a huge season hitting 20 home runs and had 64 RBIs. He probably deserves to be ranked second, but a lot of his home runs came against a weak Seamen team, and an Adam Grant pitching Commandos team. I wish I could have seen more of Dakota, and I hope the rumor of him taking over as the captain of the Punchouts is true.

2. Kyle Tomlinson  –  Belgian Wiffles
Kyle came out of nowhere to have an amazing rookie season, which earned him the Rookie of the Year award. His lightning speed and quick bat equaled a .346 batting average which was second in the entire league. Unlike some of his teammates who have been known to chirp on and off the field, Kyle quietly plays the game, and is well respected for it. I believe you have to put Kyle in the preseason conversation for 2013 MVP talk, he is just that good.


1. Evan Bortmas  –  Manchester Punchouts
Evan Bortmas had a very similar season as the 2011 MVP, Joey DeLano. Both guys led the league in batting average and home runs in their respective MVP seasons, but finished second in RBIs to just miss a Triple Crown. Like DeLano, Bortmas was an easy and well deserved choice for MVP. Besides RBIs and triples, Bortmas led the league in every single offensive category, even walks. The captain of the Punchouts took the league by storm, but it appears won’t be back next season. If that is the case, Evan Bortmas sure knows how to make a mark.

Top 5 Hitters at the Halfway Point

		Coffee Time
		by Carl Coffee

#5 - Dylan Braden - Git r' Done

Preseason Rank: Not Ranked

Dylan Braden cracks the list at #5, narrowly beating out Bobby Hoppe, Jeff Biegas, and Brian Constanti. The deciding factor are his power numbers. Dylan is tied for 2nd in home runs at 7, and his 21 RBIs rank 3rd. Dylan is one half of the DD Boys, and I did predict these two would both be Top 5 In home runs this year. I have no doubt that prediction will come true when the season closes.

#4 - Alex Shore - Westside Warriors

Preseason Rank: Not Ranked

In the mess that is the Westside Warriors, their only consistent player has been captain Alex Shore. Their four wins are all because of clutch hitting performances from Alex, and I put clutch performances on a pedestal. Alex is easily the most powerful and dangerous lefty in the league with 6 home runs, and many times that lefty power can cause trouble for opposing defenses. With Nick Woods leaving the team, Alex now has to carry the load as the offensive leader for the Warriors.

#3 - Joe Seto - Campus Commandos

Preseason Rank: Not Ranked

What doesn't Joe Seto do? Mr. Seto made both lists at #3. In the very first game of WSEM history, Joe went 5 for 7 with 4 home runs and 10 RBIs. We knew he couldn't keep up a pace like that, but he hasn't fallen off very far. His AVG, SLG, and OPS numbers are among the best in the league, and his six home runs put him in a tie for 3rd. Who would have thought this Donkey would make such a big splash as a Commando?

#2 - Dennis Pearson - Git r' Done

Preseason Rank: #3

Dennis Pearson joins Joe Seto as another player on both lists. Dennis barely missed being #1 on both lists, but I wouldn't put it past him to have that honor when the season closes. Dennis leads the league in 2 of the 3 Triple Crown categories (HR, RBI), and is 2nd in AVG. Dennis has one simple strategy when at the plate, and it is the same strategy when he pitches: HE GOES ALL OUT! Dennis swings for the fences every at bat, and that strategy has obviously paid off.

#1 - Joey DeLano - Wiffling DeLoppes

Preseason Rank: #1

Did I put Joey at #1 so I could get one of my predictions right, or because I didn't want Dennis to be #1 on both lists? How dare you ask that! Joey DeLano deserves this spot. He leads the league in AVG, and I also say he leads in OBP, since the two guys ahead of him are part timers. When you break down every stat, AVG and OBP are the two most important stats offensively [Ed. note: Really? Not SLG?]. Another reason DeLano beat out Dennis is because of his lightning quick speed. His nine doubles and three triples both lead the league, and he leads his team in home runs at four. I've often said there's only two ways of getting Joey DeLano out: striking him out, or have him pop out. When this guy puts one on the ground, he will be on base.

I did a little better in the hitters' rankings, getting 2 of 5 right. #5 Nick Woods (WW), #4 Brandon Corbett (FS), and #2 Brian Constanti (AK) all dropped out of the rankings. When I do an end of the year rankings for hitters, I will change it to top 10. Too many players with great half seasons were left off this list. On podcast #4, I will make sure the guys left out will get some love.

Top 5 Hitters

		Coffee Time
		by Carl Coffee

After reading my first two "Coffee Time" articles, you probably think I only care about the pitchers and the defense. Yes, it's easier to rank the Top 5 pitchers. Yes, our rules do favor the defense. However, I still haven't forgotten about the hitters. As exciting as dominant pitching or a diving catch can be, a home run still takes the cake. As someone who only pitches during batting practice, or if we have a dominant lead in the 5th inning, I can only get my glory from a big at bat. Through the years I have played against a number of great hitters, and just like with the Top 5 Pitchers Rankings, I will use past stats, future potential, and personal experience to rank my Top 5 Hitters. A lot of teams and players are new, so if you get left off now, don't feel bad. You still have a chance to get on them later, because once the season starts, I will adjust these rankings.

#5 Nick Woods [Westside Warriors]

Just like his teammate Maclin Malloy did with the Pitching List, a member from the Warriors cracked this Top 5 list. Although Woods only played in one tournament, it would be very hard to leave him off the list. Woods not only showed patience at the plate, (7 BB's in 29 plate appearances) he also showed great power and timely hitting (2 HR's, 4 RBI's). His 11 hits propelled him to a very impressive .500 Batting Average, but Nick's two most impressive stats were his .621 On Base Percentage (OBP), and his .818 Slugging Percentage (SLG).

#4 Brandon Corbett [Flying Squirrels]

Teammate Brandon Corbett comes in at #4. Along with his #2 Pitching Ranking, it sure makes him a dual threat player. Before I get into his stats, my favorite wiffle memory of him was during round robin play at last year's Flag-a-Palooza tournament. Corbett and Chad Hoppe were having a pitching dual, and with the score 0-0 in the bottom of the 5th, Corbett hit a solo HR to win the game. It's good to have a guy like that on your team. In the three tournaments Corbett has played in, he has a lifetime .345 Batting Average, .637 SLG%, 6 HR's, and 14 RBI's. Also in every tournament, he's been over .500 in OBP. So as you see, he can hit for both power and average.

#3 Dennis Pearson [Git r Done]

Dennis just missed getting ranked for top pitchers, but he cracks the list at #3 for Best Hitters. When Git r Done first burst onto the wiffle scene in the August of 2009 tournament, Dennis was the lone bright spot in a team that went 0-2. Although he didn't show his power then, everyone knew this kid could hit. The following year at the Flag-a-Palooza, Dennis along with a surprise offensive showing from Dylan Braden, shocked everyone and reached the finals. Dennis continued to pound the ball at the Hoppe’s Fall Tournament, and was once again the lone bright spot for them. Dennis is one of the most dangerous hitters in the league, because at any time he can send one over the fence. Although his stats won't blow you away just yet, (.279 career BA, 6 HR's, 11 RBI's) I have a good feeling they will after this year. Dennis is easily my prediction for Home Run King.

#2 Brian Constanti [Newport Ass Kickers]

Along with Corbett, Brian Constanti also made both the Top Pitchers and Batters Lists. I really didn't want to rank Brian this high knowing he only played in one tournament, but I just can't ignore his stats. We already know they won the only tournament they played in led by Brian's pitching. Well, they had to score some runs too, and Brian did just that. Brian led his team in every single offensive category. He went 19 for 38, (.500 BA) had 6 walks, 4 HR's, and 8 RBI's. It doesn't stop there, he also scored 7 runs, had a .568 OBP, and an incredible .921 SLG%. It is hard to believe that these stats are from one tournament!

#1 Joey DeLano [Wiffling DeLoppes]

For the veterans out there, this may shock you: a Wiffling DeLoppe as the top hitter in the league?!?! I've played against and watched Joey play, and no batter in the league is a tougher out than him. The most dangerous part of Joey's game is his speed. I would bet that he is the fastest guy in the league. You better be on top of your game when you're playing defense against him, because any ball he hits on the ground he will most likely leg out for a base hit. In the August of 2009 tournament, Joey went an astounding 11 for 19 (.579 BA) and also hit 1 HR and had 7 RBI's. He also only struck out twice and had one walk, which shows that this guy loves to swing the bat. Did Joey carry the DeLoppes on offense that day? Well he did have 7 of his team 9 RBI's, so the answer is easy. In last year's Flag-A-Paloozas he cooled off a little bit, but not by much. He still finished the day with 10 hits and another HR. Joey's .466 career BA, along with his killer speed made him an easy choice to be #1.

That concludes the rankings of the Preseason Top 5 Hitters. Once the season is about a 1/4 of the way through I will take a look at everyone's stats and redo them to see how this stacks up. But for now, the guys who I just mentioned, enjoy the bragging rights!

-
Carl Coffee
Flying Squirrels, 18, SS
Chief Wiffling Officer