|
|
 |
|
|
The Race For 10
September 19, 2005 --
The first homerun in GDWL history (in the statistics books) was hit by Matt "Hollywood" Thornton in the legendary July 21st, 2003 triple-header. Homeruns have been hard to come by in the GDWL before that homerun and after. It's almost sad that the homerun leaders in the league have less than 10 career homeruns a piece. The leaders : Josh "Dr. Funky Green" Smith (7 career homeruns) and Matt "Hollywood" Thornton (7 career homeruns). So why is it exactly that the GDWL's league darlings (Chestar, Dr. Funky Green, Hollywood, The Polish Wonder, among many others) having trouble hitting the long balls? Dr. Funky Green had an answer :
"We've typically played on fields with deeper deminsions than what maybe are normal for wiffleball ballparks. This I am not sure of. but Garrett Drive was about 86 feet to center field if I remember correctly & 78 feet to left & right field. When you're hitting up hill, even with the wind at your back, it just doesn't carry like it should. But since we don't hardly play at Garrett Drive anymore, we've found a home in the Hurricane City Park, in which all 3 fields that we play on there (the basketball court, tennis court, and Dorsel Hodges field) have even deeper demensions than that of Garrett Drive, some 20+ feet further than what we're accustomed to. But still, occasionally, someone will drop a bomb over the wall & we rejoice because it isn't all too common for that to happen outside of hitting an inside-the-ballpark homerun. Also, not many of us are power-hitters by nature, most of us are slap or consistent hitters. Hardly any of us at all are of Hank Aaron proportions. So whoever reaches the 10 career homerun milestone, we will definately have to throw a big party over it because it's taken us 3 years to get in contention for 10, we all might have kids before somebody reaches 20 homeruns."
So the race is on between, now teammates, the brothers Josh "Dr. Funky Green" Smith and Matt "Hollywood" Thornton as they both are just 3 homeruns away from reaching that double-digit milestone. As the sun goes down earlier with each passing day, the season is drawing to a close, so if one of them wants to do it, they'd better act quickly at once, there isn't much time.
Not too far behind the brothers, in the pack, are Joe Chapman and William Held with 3 homeruns a piece, D.J. with 2, and the always unpredictable Greg "Chestar" Sowards also with 2. Anything could happen. We will keep you updated on this pathetic homerun race.
|
More transactions, still very active!...
April 15, 2005 --
Well, things are still staying interesting with the transactions taking place in the G.D.W.L. Another lunchtime meeting, this time a little more organized. As predicted, Greg "The Polish Wonder" Szepelak left the Green Bears to persue another project, another team entirely, by officially starting a new team with friend Corey Preece. The team name : The Neopolitan Creamers (an idea that was kicked around by them & Josh "Dr. Funky Green" Smith at an alley cats game last year). They have 2 more players, but forgive me, I don't remember their names off hand, I've been trying to remember, but I can't; curse my forgetful memory. But also, Aaron "Agent Matthew Jones" Prince, is getting his team underway for sure now, with a team that's for right now being called "The Cows". Along for the ride will be Jake Logan & Nima S. Also, as for the girl team, still up in the air, we'll let you know more about that when something happens. But here's Josh "Dr. Funky Green" Smith on letting his friend The Polish Wonder leave the 2-time G.D.W.L. champion Green Bears : "Well, I knew it was coming, we both did. I'm not upset in the least, I fully support his move to starting a new franchise, afterall it was an idea of our for a while. He's a great power hitter & I can see his team being a hard team to beat this season. He signed a contract for infinity seasons with us, haha. But I think an acception can be made, we need more competition in the league. But I'm sad to see him go, in a sense. But things change & I think this is for the better." With The Polish Wonder leaving the Green Bears, that leaves a spot on the roster for the Green Bears. But, that spot didn't stay vacant for literally more than a few minutes. Josh "Dr. Funky Green" Smith talked to a younger fellow by the name of Andrew Hankins earlier that afternoon, & he'd told him about the meeting, & Andrew seemed very highly interested, so he attended. During the meeting, Andrew signed with the Green Bears. Josh Smith elaborated "I've talked to Andrew for a little while over a few lunches at school. He seems pretty cool, & pretty laid back & easy going. He has hair a little longer than mine, so he's going to have a vision problem like me during gameplay, haha. But he likes Mae & just seems perfect for the team, I'm glad to have him aboard." So things are still being shaken up in the expansion team department of the G.D.W.L. with the league's newest teams : the Neopolitan Creamers, & the Cows. Welcome.
|
The Green Bears Sign Three (Yes, Three) Free Agents
April 13, 2004 --
The G.D.W.L. has been recognized by a few people in their high school, and as a result, 2 or maybe even 3 possible new teams will be starting up & joining the G.D.W.L. But talk began at lunch time, in Mrs. Tolley's room, about wiffleball & things of the matter, & things took an unexpected turn. Three people signed with the Green Bears. The Green Bears, Josh "Dr. Funky Green" Smith, Greg "The Polish Wonder" Szepelak, & Greg "Chestar" Sowards were in attendance of course for this loose, accidental meeting. Here's Dr. Funky Green on what happened : "Well we all got to talking, discussing when to have the meeting this week, and Chestar brought up the contracts thing, & everyone was like ready to sing away. But what really shocked me was the three of them 'whipped out their pens' or were going to sign with us, the Green Bears. I'm tickled to death, but I was shocked. The only person I expected to sign with us, was Alex Pauley of course. But Chase & Tyler wanted to sign with us too, which was cool." Yes, Chase Woodard & Tyler Call signed with the Green Bears, along with the expected contract signing of Alex Pauley to the team, which totals to 3 new Green Bears, & 6 on the roster total. But, I thought The Polish Wonder was starting his own team, you may ask? Well he has been planning on parting from the G. Bears & starting his own team, as you've heard, but he does not know if he can get enough together to do so, but he has said that to be ready, he may just have enough. Tyler Call was expected to take up a bat with The Polish Wonder, & may still yet, we're not sure, but until The Polish Wonder starts a new team, if he is going to at all, the Green Bears will be, handsdown, a force to be reckoned with. Aaron Prince was discouraged not too long ago about starting his team, saying that he couldn't get anyone together, but he came in out of nowhere while the talking was going on at lunchtime, & said that he could, in fact, start a team. With that, the possiblity of The Polish Wonder starting a team, & perhaps a girl's team (the Finley sisters & a friend), that could more than double the teams in the G.D.W.L.
That's all we have, if anything changes, we'll be sure to give you the details.
|
GDWL Spring Training 2005 : day one
April 4, 2005 --
Today, April 4th, the last day of our Spring Break, phone calls were made, teammates were picked up, bases were ran. The brothers, Josh "Dr. Funky Green" Smith & Matt "Hollywood" Thornton got an early start making phone calls at 10:30 a.m. to get the first session of GDWL Spring Training 2005 underway. "I picked up 2 new comers in my car when I was picking everyone up to get a couple of innings for some exhibition games in. One of them, Alex Pauley - a long time friend of mine who showed interest in the league recently, the other Travis Taylor - a friend of my brother's who has appeared a few times here recently. We first went to the Hurricane City Park as a rendevous point, it took a little bit to get everyone together because I had to pick everybody up. Zep wasn't home, & Tyler 'Fat A' has his cell phone off, so they did not attend. We later went up on the hill to Skatewinds Skatepark to try something a little different, play an inning or two on the skate park, it was different terrain, but it was fun. Then we finally went to Garrett Drive & explained all the rules & traditions of the league there, & played 5 innings of ball." - Dr. Funky Green.
Travis Taylor will eventually probably sign with the Vipers, Alex Pauley will eventually sign with the Green Bears. And while we're discussing transactions : Greg "The Polish Wonder" Szepelak will start his own team if he gets enough support by getting another person or two. The Green Bears would hate to see him go, but they support his effort. And Aaron "Agent : Matthew Jones" Prince is going to revive the Kung-Fu Pandas. He will be getting another whole roster (that will not include Grant "Back And To The Left" Smith, since he has been forever kicked out of the G.D.W.L.) & another franchise name. So, this season shall be interesting. And we will be playing every Monday & some Saturdays (whenever) for Spring Training & for the upcoming regular season. So mark your calendars & call off work in advance so you can come & play.
|
G.D.W.L. Presents : All You Can Take 2005 - [FREEZE OUT]
March 3, 2004 --
This morning, Tuesday, we should be in school, but oh no there's ice on the roads & snow piled all about. Dr. Funky Green had a great idea. "I got to thinking how some think that our league is done, dead, finished. But we've got spring training coming up next month in April, & a season following thereafter. So, I thought of something that would demonstrate our dedication & loyalty to the sport..." Dr. Funky Green said. The idea he has was almost absurd, he continued "I was thinking, 'man, it's blistering cold outside & the snow is flying, I wonder if anybody would be up for an inning of wiffleball or something.'" He then ran the idea by his brother, Hollywood, and he agreed that it was a good idea. The final result : Dr. Funky Green, Hollywood, & Killer out in the cold weather playing some wiffleball, GDWL style. Fashionably Late could not attend, neither could Chestar (battling winter illnesses). The goal was to withstand the blistering below freezing temperatures, mindblowing winds, blue cold windchill, & piercing cold snow for 10 minutes by playing wiffleball, the boys plowed forward to 31 minutes before going inside to thall themselves out. The temperature was around 20 degrees F. Dr. Funky Green recorded the event on audio tape making it another edition of GDWL Radio. They all seemed to hit the ball pretty well still, even though neither of them had played any since November. There were even occasional homeruns being hit. "It's windy, like playing in the Arctic. The windchill is amazing, it's great" said William "Killer" Held, shivering after a bataround for a half an hour in the unmerciful winter cold.
Lets see wiffle2k do that, lets see wifflehouse do that, lets see mly do that!...yeah, we did it, we're truely dedicated enough to make imbosiles of ourselves in front of the 2 bystanders that passed through during the event. We played during a downpour of snow in unforgiving weather situations, top that!
Both, the Green Bears & Vipers are excited for the 2005 season, & spring training. High hopes.
Expect to read some interviews by Dr. Funky Green with Hollywood, Killer, & Chestar.
|
GDWL see Grant "Back & To The Left Smith" for first time since the brawl...
November 10, 2004 --
Some of the guys from the GDWL (Dr. Funky Green, Hollywood, Chestar, Fat A, & The Polish Wonder) were invited to the Polish Wonder's house to play a couple of games of wiffleball in the front yard. Little did they know that Grant "Back & To The Left" Smith was at The Polish Wonder's house visiting, well Fat A & The Polish Wonder already knew, since they've been hanging out steadily, but the others had no clue. Much to their surprise they saw him when they went downstairs. There was no anger or intimiadation when they all saw eachother, no grudges, no fear, no nothing. Just like it was before, just friends. Dr. Funky Green & Back & To The Left (also Chestar was involved) had a brawl at the Grassy Knool if you don't remember that from last season, causing the Kung-Fu Pandas (Grant's team) to be kicked out of the league forever. So as you can see, this was a surprise. So, they went to the front yard & played a few games, "Grant still has a sound-barrier breaking fastball, & he's got a new pitch up his sleeve, a knuckleball. I could finally hit off of him though. He's still a good player" said Dr. Funky Green. The games were 5 innings a peice & were close, the teams : Fat A, Back & To The Left, The Polish Wonder versus Dr. Funky Green, Chestar, & Hollywood. The Polish Wonder's team won the first game, we believe, but this has been a couple of weekends ago, & Dr. Funky Green's team won the other. Dr. Funky Green pitched for the first time in quite a while. & his fastball was incredibly fast, striking out almost every batter that came up to the plate "Where did that pitching come from, I've never seen you pitch like that" Chestar said to Dr. Funky Green. "Well when Tom (The Polish Wonder's dad) set up a backstop, I went to town on fastballs, fork pitches, & change-ups; it was a blast, that is some of the best pitching that I've had in my career, & I managed to find some energy to blow some fastballs by them, but as a result I was sore the next day but not too bad" Said Dr. Funky Green the following days. Then the fellas went off to play some wiffleball.
But Know This : This is in no way implying that Grant "Back & To The Left" Smith will be admitted back into the GDWL, it's already been done, he's out...forever. No questions asked, he can participate in exhibition games, that's fine, but no regular season or post season play for him. Harsh as it may sound, we are standing on our decision we made a year ago & that's final. But he's still a good friend of ours & one heck of a wiffleball player.
|
Hollywood temporarily injured, new face visits GDWL...
June 5, 2004 --
Today (Saturday) was a lazy day for the GDWL, no regular season games were played, but there was practice. Dr. Funky Green, Hollywood, & Killer Held gathered for practice in the afternoon then became spectators at an HBL game. Then they returned to Garrett Drive to practice some more, this is when roughly around 5 fans & the players present witnessed on of the most humourous moments in GDWL history. It was batting practice, Hollywood was pitching, Dr. Funky Green was batting. Hollywood pitched one outside then Dr. Funky Green belted a line-drive back at the mound at Hollywood into the...uhh...groin area. Hollywood immediately fell to the ground & remained motionless in pain, this lead to everyone who witnessed this to laugh for many minutes. Hollywood finally shook it off about an hour later. "I didn't really mean to hit the ball back at him & hit him in the 'pills', but what happens...happens, all I know is that we'll be looking back & laughing about this for a long time" says Dr. Funky Green.
Later they were joined by a stranger, he asked if he could join us, we accepted & he teamed up with Dr. Funky Green to take on Hollywood & Killer Held in an exhibition game. The end result: a tie after 3 innings, with the score 5 to 5. Dr. Funky Green had this to say about the fresh faced 11-year old known as William Johnson: "He did awesome, he seemed lethargic at first glance, but at his first at bat, he hit a 2-run homerun, from then on, I knew that this kid had talent. I hope that he decides to come back & visit us & maybe even be a future Green Bear or Viper. He did great!" Unlike most players in the GDWL, he's not from around the 'immediate' area of Garrett Drive, although he isn't exactly far away. He lives near Main Street in Downtown Hurricane, maybe a mile & a half away. We hope to hear from William Johnson again.
Keep visiting to hear more about the fresh-faced sensation William Johnson & other news.
|
We've got 2 trees down & recognition from illinois...
February 24, 2004 --
Today Josh Smith aka Dr. Funky Green was walking to Garrett Drive after school & saw that the two trees close to first base have been cut down (#7 Garrett Dr.) "It was one of the most eeriest things I've ever seen, Jennifer Elkins was with me, & she was just as in much shock as I was" Dr. Funky Green commented. This may change the way that things happen in the league, the scores may go up b/c the trees used to block the balls from homeruns & such. "It's going to be a bigger change than what people think, they'll see when spring training starts up in a couple of weeks." Moving on with a different subject, Dr. Funky Green talked to Dr. Thunder of Wifferball & have linked eachother up, also the Windy City Wiffleball League e-mailed Dr. Funky Green to link eachother up as well. It seems that the GDWL is getting more & more national recognition by the leagues that we admire & respect. These two Illinois leagues are nationally recognized for their own reasons & we're proud to be recognized by them. We were also agknowledged by Major League Wiffleball a couple of months ago, but the bad news is that their website is up for sale, this could be the end for the MLW. For possibley more information on these subjects check out Dr. Funky Green's thought of the week.
|
Wiffleball testing & practice, GDWL drying off & getting pumped for Spring Training...
April 23, 2004 --
Finally all the newest wiffleballs that the GDWL owns have been tested, they were tested this evening by Dr. Funky Green, William Held, & Hollywood. Also the GDWL had it's first GDWL council meeting, the council thing is brand new & is made up of the 3 players/founders (Dr. Funky Green, William Held, & Hollywood), they decided that sometime this summer there will be an invitational tournament at either HBL or the city park (e-mail us if your interested so that we'll invite you). Also Whiffleday is rapidly approaching, it's May 17th & 18th. We've been in Spring Training 2k4 for 4 weeks not & haven't had a single complete exhibition game (with the exceptin of the Easter Classic). Spring Training's first game has been scheduled for this coming Tuesday at GDWL Ballpark, it will comense if it doesn't rain. Speaking of rain, it's been raining much of this past week & will rain for a while longer.
No games next weekend though, Dr. Funky Green will be in D.C. on the Y.D.A. field trip for 4 days, he leaves early on Thursday & will return late in the evening on Sunday. It's not known yet of when we'll begin the regular season, it will be sometime in mid to late May though. So bear with us if you want to attend a game. Please vote for the most memorable GDWL moment of 2003 before Dr. Funky Green will be forced to draw out of a hat [laughs].
Well...hope you enjoyed the update, join our mailing list if you would like more frequent updates.
|
|
|
