Team Tuesdays: Team BagTag
Written by Josh Smith
BagTag have been experiencing what I believe to be a sobering reality check. They are a franchise that exists not only in the HWL but are a dominant force in the WV Jewel City Kickball League, where they have been on top for years. They also did well in a briefly ran dodgeball league. Last fall, the franchise found themselves in the familiar circumstance of being in first place. This year the team has not been able to duplicate the success. The team has been plagued by injuries and conflicting schedules. Regardless, the team has been able to grapple with teams that should have easily defeat them. They kept Breaking Balls to within 2 runs in their series with them and have managed to string together 6 wins despite rarely sporting a full roster.
The team is loaded with medium speed pitchers. Brian Ball and Zach Blatt are the team's primary pitcher. Ball has unpredictable capabilites and can throw just about anything you can imagine. Blatt has incredible movement on his balls. The team's captain, Brandon Woolum, has even pitched a few games with moderate success (despite injuring his arm playing softball years earlier). Gary Ball pitched quite a bit as well before he was injured. Ryan Blatt, who has been unable to attend many games, had great potential to be a phenomenal pitcher with a lot of velocity and movement. The team has struggled with offense mostly and since they don't have a dominant ace, they have been unable to edge out teams like Wee Willy Wiffle and Sit On My Base regularly. I think it's safe to say that if they had a full roster this team could have been at the top of the Jewel City Division standings. But the team is learning to do more with less and have the capability to surprise people in the playoffs.
Brandon Woolum
Captain | #15 | OF/SP
Age? 28
What is your favorite food? Italian
What made you want to play wiffleball? Love all the sports that make me feel like I have a little bit of athleticism left in me
Any previous experience with baseball or softball? How many years and in what leagues? All levels of baseball through high school
Do you have any personal goals for this season? If so, what are they? Have everyone's schedules work out for playoffs and make a legit run with a full team
What do you do for a living? Event DJ / Voice Over
Favorite TV show? Impractical Jokers
Favorite movie? Comedies
What are you other hobbies? Traveling, poker, concerts, and kickball
Brian Ball
Co-Captain | #11 | SP/OF
Age? 29
What is your favorite food? Chips and salsa or queso
What made you want to play wiffleball? I love obscure sports
Any previous experience with baseball or softball? How many years and in what leagues? Played travel league until I was 23 and currently play softball
Do you have any personal goals for this season? If so, what are they? I just want to win. Always. Period.
What do you do for a living? Brace Specialist at Marshall Orthopaedics
Favorite TV show? Cosmos
Favorite movie? Vanilla Sky
What are you other hobbies? Kickball, snowboarding, tattoos, traveling, and fantasy sports
Zach Blatt
#52 | RP/OF
Age? 29
What is your favorite food? Hibachi
What made you want to play wiffleball? Enjoyed it a ton as a kid
Any previous experience with baseball or softball? How many years and in what leagues? Little League and then pick up games after that
Do you have any personal goals for this season? If so, what are they? To win and smash home runs
What do you do for a living? IT Specialist at Aarons Products
Favorite TV show? Baseball games
Favorite movie? Marvel movies
What are you other hobbies? Sports, comics, gaming, kickball, wiffleball, collecting marvel toys, and my cats are amazing
Ryan Blatt
#12 | SP/OF
Age? 33
What is your favorite food? Mexican and Italian
What made you want to play wiffleball? My brother (Zach) invited me
Any previous experience with baseball or softball? How many years and in what leagues? Age 5 - 21. Little League, fall ball, travel ball, midland select league, and Huntington High School
Do you have any personal goals for this season? If so, what are they? Balance work schedule with games
What do you do for a living? Cabbell Huntington Hospital Radiology Transport
Favorite TV show? Game of Thrones
Favorite movie? Big movie fan, can't pick just one
What are you other hobbies? fishing, golfing, hanging with family and friends, and of course beer
Gary Ball
#5 | SP/RP/EH
Age?
What is your favorite food?
What made you want to play wiffleball?
Any previous experience with baseball or softball? How many years and in what leagues?
Do you have any personal goals for this season? If so, what are they?
What do you do for a living?
Favorite TV show?
Favorite movie?
What are you other hobbies?
Kara Dills
#10 | OF/EH
Age? 29
What is your favorite food? Mexican
What made you want to play wiffleball? love team sports
Any previous experience with baseball or softball? How many years and in what leagues? Baseball from 7 - 14 years old, switched to softball in high school
Do you have any personal goals for this season? If so, what are they? Be able to show up to games and hit a home run
What do you do for a living? Parole Officer
Favorite TV show? Orange Is The New Black and True Blood
Favorite movie?
What are you other hobbies? Kayaking, fishing, running, and kickball
