View From the Hilst

One of the many unique aspects of our league, found in few others, is the stats gathering that occurs throughout the season. With one final game remaining in the regular season for every team except the Sidewinders, some interesting statistics scenarios have taken shape. Of the 181 players on the opening day league roster, only 27 players have 20 or more plate appearances, making each at bat extremely valuable. If a walk is as good as a hit, Christina Ternes of P2R is at the head of the class with one of the more unusual offensive achievements of the season. Christina has a staggering 10 walks in 15 plate appearances, averaging 2 walks a game in her 5 games played. With statistics it is easy to play the 'what if' game far too often, here are some of the more intriguing results. Jodie Groce is 9 for 9 this season, Michael Redic 7 for 9, Barry Law 14 for 16 (along with 17 RBI), and the 'what if these 3 had played a full season with more at bat's' comes into play. Evan Turner was batting .714 and leading most offensive categories for Wells Sox before what was to be season ending surgery on his hand following a line drive off his glove hand early in the season. Brett Villeneau and Nathan Smith of Big Red, both have 11 hits in under 20 plate appearances. 'What if' scenarios can be motivators for upcoming seasons and, I am looking forward to seeing how future seasons shape up for these players. In studying the stats, I found another curious combination with two of our leagues marquee players. Justin Porterfield and Meghan Oldis (both of Sidewinders,) are combined 25 for 39 with all 25 hits singles. They have each scored 12 runs and have OBP over .600+. It goes without saying at this point in the season that Steve Downs has put together a great team, anchored by two of our best. In the runs scored department, the Gold Ru$h's Ontrell McCray and Richard Curtis have each scored 15 runs to lead the league in that category. Gold Ru$h has 9 players with at least 5 RBI, a potent offensive up and down the lineup. With all of their games in the books, Sidewinders has 92 team RBI this year with 5 players at or near double digit RBI totals. For the 2012 season, Justin Porterfield set the league record for RBI's with 25. Last season, Derek Hilst came up 1 RBI short of JP's record with 24, a number equaled this season by Sidewinders Mark Lisk and, although challenged in consecutive seasons, Porterfield's RBI record remains in tact. It makes the 'what if' scenario of Barry Law's 17 RBI through 5 games all the more interesting to have seen play out. In the all-around offensive categories, 5 players had at least 1 tally in every offensive scoring sheet possibility (single, double, triple, home run, RBI, run scored and walk.) Joel Gearhart (Blue Heat), Derek Hilst and Lathan Washington (Wells Express), Mark Lisk (Sidewinders) and Ontrell McCray (Gold Ru$h.)

In what is a shocker for each and every one of them, Young-Uns had 7 male players all come up short in one of those categories (Adam, Randy, Brian, Jeff, Corey, Don and Mike,) nevertheless highlighting the depth on that team which, after 203 at bats, are just 1 hit behind Sidewinders .511 team batting average with .507. For the females, Kerri Metzker (also of Young-Uns) and Jasmine Fields (Gold Ru$h) are also 1 category short. With a final game to be played, Brooke Norris of Wells Express said, "it would be a shocker to me if more players don't join that offensive list." Gold Ru$h, with the best record in the league, has shown this season that the highest team batting average is not always necessary, but well placed hits in final innings and a win is a win. Gold Ru$h ranks 5th in the league with a .471 team batting average. Sidewinders, .511, Young-Uns .507, Wells Express .500 are the only 3 teams over .500, (P2R edges out Gold Ru$h for the 4th position with a .479 team batting average.) On the pitching front, Jeff Greissinger has an impressive 6.30 ERA and leads the league in strike outs with 25. Jay Palmer (Sidewinders) has his season in the books with a league leading 6.15 ERA. Other notables with games to be played: Bill Bieber (Wells Express) 7.64 ERA and Joel Gould (P2R) 8.14 ERA. Last, but most certainly not least, there are 5 females in the "Female 500 Club" with batting averages, on-base percentages and slugging percentages all over .500 with a minimum 14 plate appearances: Tabitha Wood (Gold Ru$h), Meghan Oldis (Sidewinders), Karen Berka (Uptown Ballers), Kerri Metzker (Young-Uns) and Allison Koehler (P2R). With the MVP and other statistical races still very tight, it will be an exciting last week of regular season games coming up this week.

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