Team Tuesdays: Hurricane Locomotives
Another Tuesday has come and with it, another examination of a franchise gracing our league - and it's quite possibly been a team that I've had the most fun watching. The team is a lovable mishmash of veteran talent, new faces, a rookie phenom and a return player from nearly a decade ago. While the locos did indeed finish the regular season in last place, they did have a tumultuous roster carousel that has seemed to stabilize.
The Hurricane Locomotives are helmed by first class hall of famer and league co-founder Greg Sowards. His wiffle resume is longer than just about anyone else's in the sport and possesses a great acumen for strategy in the game well known to anyone who has paid attention... or will listen to him. He gained early success in the league's first season in 2012 with a league championship with his first team (Yellow Beaver Fever) and even won MVP that year. In subsequent seasons he earned a reputation for captaining (and playing for) underdog teams. The biggest underdog success he had was with his 2015 Wifflin' Dixie team that surpassed all expectations and finished with a near .500 record.
Sowards was a natural choice to captain a team for several reasons that I could elaborate about in a separate article. Kevin Chattin had attempted to start his own team (the Milton Mudcats) as the league reanimated but the stars were not in line to get the franchise off the ground and Chattin was selected by Sowards to suit up for the choo-choo squad. Chattin brings his knowledge and leadership to the table and appears to serve as a co-captain for the team. He premiered in the league in 2014 as captain of the legendary Sit On My Base team (runner up in 2014 & 2015) and this is his first season playing since 2015. For someone who hasn't played in 8 years... you wouldn't know it. He's fielding everything hit his way with ease and slugging home runs at every opportunity - showing his capability as an all-around player.
Julie Meadows made her her debut in the league back in 2013 on the Terrorhawks, where she made a name for herself as a slap hitter and aspiring outfielder. She returned in 2014 and played for the Green Bears and performed similarly. Her unanticipated arrival at this years spring training was a welcome sight. She was signed by Sowards (who was a former teammate of her's on the 2014 Green Bears team) and immediately began working with her on hitting consistency, which has been noticeable. Her level swing is something that is cause for caution to some pitchers as she's taken many pitches deep outside fair territory... so it's only a matter of time before she gets her first long ball of the year. Her newest and most unforeseen responsibility she's undertaken has been on the mound. Her softball experience has left her with an underhand delivery that baffles some hitters, and while there are some walks - there are not many hits, so it appears to be an overall successful method. Her return to the league has seen her grow as a player in not only skill but in versatility.
Julie was not alone when she showed up to spring training, she was joined by Jerry Shook as well. Shook is a character, a card really - better yet, a wild card. You never know what you're going to get from Jerry each time he steps up to the plate, or on the mound or in a conversation. Every team needs someone interesting, and for the Locomotives: that's Jerry. I mean, if you see a guy smoking a pipe in your team photo and it's not from the 1800's... what's not to like? I won't lie, he has struggled performance-wise but has showed steady improvement throughout the season. He finished the season with a .304 AVG and a home run and has the 2nd most walks on the team. He has given up a lot of runs while on the mound but has only given up 2 walks. All of this to say that Jerry has not only kept things interesting, he's kept improving.
Deandre Black is the newest (and youngest) player on the team and had he joined up sooner he could have made a case for Rookie of the Year. He can do it all! He can hit. He can field (he's affectionately called Spider Man by his teammates). And he can pitch (something the team really needed). He was an X-factor in keeping games competitive against offensive super-power teams like the Huntington Aces and may provide some momentum going into the playoffs. He's a player that could be a great asset for the team going into next season as well.
The roster for this team has been somewhat of a revolving door, especially in the early part of the year. Brice Clark was the blockbuster signing, but only after the acquisition of Mike McCoy. Longtime teammate of Sowards, Mikie Saxton was also signed to play for the team as well but later released. McCoy was put on the Injured List and out for the season. And Brice Clark played in April (throwing his first and only no-hitter) but has yet to return, seemingly playing Wiffleball everywhere except the HWL. I cannot help ponder the 'what ifs' of the roster situations mentioned. What if Mike McCoy had been able to play? What if Brice Clark found his way to the field more often? What if Deandre joined the league/team sooner? What if everyone on the team smoked pipes like Jerry? Some of or all of these what ifs may have moved the needle but we'll never know.
One of our goals in bringing the league back was to not have any whipping teams. We'd had teams before that went 0-20 (Plain White Tees from the 2015 season) and 2-22 (Welfare Warriors from the 2013 season) and teams that would go undefeated or win almost every game. Such lopsided competition was not a sustainable environment. You need parity if you hope to compel people to return. The Locomotives finished the year with a 6-14 record (.300 WIN%) and considering some of the obstacles they had, I think that's remarkable. Had one or two things shook out more favorably, that win percentage could have been even higher. But allow me to be clear, a 6-14 record is most certainly not a whipping team. I'm excited to see where this team goes in 2024 after they've had time to recruit in the offseason. So, for those looking for a team to play for that has a combination of good leadership and fun chemistry: the train has arrived at that station -- all aboard!
