2015 NWLA Tournament Regionals Uniform Rankings
7/1/15
by Trent Steffes
The NWLA Tournament Fashion Police Chief is back. Ready to scrutinize and idolize this year's uniforms from the Regional Tournaments. As with last year's rankings, this year's rankings will push the envelope on what is hot and what is not, in the NWLA Tournament fashion world. This year, you will get their ranking from last year's rankings (out of 15 teams), a critique of their uniforms this year, and an outlook for their look for Ohio if they have qualified.
First: a look at criteria. My rankings are based on teams' uniforms as a whole. That includes shirts, hats, socks, shorts, etc. A solid shirt can make up for lack of a hat, but matching team hats will get teams a higher ranking.
So without further ado, the 2015 NWLA Tournament Uniform Rankings
by Trent Steffes
The NWLA Tournament Fashion Police Chief is back. Ready to scrutinize and idolize this year's uniforms from the Regional Tournaments. As with last year's rankings, this year's rankings will push the envelope on what is hot and what is not, in the NWLA Tournament fashion world. This year, you will get their ranking from last year's rankings (out of 15 teams), a critique of their uniforms this year, and an outlook for their look for Ohio if they have qualified.
First: a look at criteria. My rankings are based on teams' uniforms as a whole. That includes shirts, hats, socks, shorts, etc. A solid shirt can make up for lack of a hat, but matching team hats will get teams a higher ranking.
So without further ado, the 2015 NWLA Tournament Uniform Rankings
#20: HRL Lady Slippers
a. Last Year: 5
b. If you missed the debut of the Lady Slippers’ uniforms I will let you in: it was literally a white t-shirt that everyone wrote “HRL Shirt” on with a black sharpie. And that isn’t even a joke. Web Gem’s was like grey with stripes and stuff and Hardball’s was professionally done which probably pissed off Vlade for going against the grain. But it doesn’t matter because Hardball’s shirt maybe lasted two games. Don’t worry though, his beard covered most of his torso so he’s not at risk for skin cancer. Can’t say the same about his back though. And kudos to Vlade for buying a black hat and silver sharpie and writing “HRL Hat” on it. I’ll admit it. They got me.
c. Ohio Outlook: Literally anything would be better. Rumor of pink Digi-camo. But there was also a rumor of something relevant for regionals so I would take it with a grain of salt.
b. If you missed the debut of the Lady Slippers’ uniforms I will let you in: it was literally a white t-shirt that everyone wrote “HRL Shirt” on with a black sharpie. And that isn’t even a joke. Web Gem’s was like grey with stripes and stuff and Hardball’s was professionally done which probably pissed off Vlade for going against the grain. But it doesn’t matter because Hardball’s shirt maybe lasted two games. Don’t worry though, his beard covered most of his torso so he’s not at risk for skin cancer. Can’t say the same about his back though. And kudos to Vlade for buying a black hat and silver sharpie and writing “HRL Hat” on it. I’ll admit it. They got me.
c. Ohio Outlook: Literally anything would be better. Rumor of pink Digi-camo. But there was also a rumor of something relevant for regionals so I would take it with a grain of salt.
#19 SFWL Loons
a. Last Year: N/A
b. The Loons. My boy John Cronin at the helm. I can't believe my fellow statesmen both underwhelmed so much. There’s so much that could have been done. Big ol loon on the front and wings on the back. Oh, the potentials a bird name has. But they went with the most generic shirt of all time. It’s your classic “Property of Shed Field Loons XXL” and so forth with numbers on the back. The only thing that doesn’t make this set completely awful is that it’s a red shirt. But the potential was definitely wasted on these.
c. Ohio Outlook: Dropped out. It’s whatevs.
b. The Loons. My boy John Cronin at the helm. I can't believe my fellow statesmen both underwhelmed so much. There’s so much that could have been done. Big ol loon on the front and wings on the back. Oh, the potentials a bird name has. But they went with the most generic shirt of all time. It’s your classic “Property of Shed Field Loons XXL” and so forth with numbers on the back. The only thing that doesn’t make this set completely awful is that it’s a red shirt. But the potential was definitely wasted on these.
c. Ohio Outlook: Dropped out. It’s whatevs.
#18 BWACS Lot Lizards
a. Last Year: N/A
b. After the third name change, I was interested to see what kind of shirts we’d get out of it. And then we got generic logo on a plain grey t-shirt. This is a case of expected more and got less. Which is fine, it just won’t garner you a ton of buzz in these rankings.
c. Ohio Outlook: Won’t see a change.
b. After the third name change, I was interested to see what kind of shirts we’d get out of it. And then we got generic logo on a plain grey t-shirt. This is a case of expected more and got less. Which is fine, it just won’t garner you a ton of buzz in these rankings.
c. Ohio Outlook: Won’t see a change.
#17 HVWBL River Monsters
a. Last Year: 15
b. The River Monsters. Perhaps one of my least favorite logos of all time. It’s not a reflection of the guys, because I do like these guys as players and people. But to be blunt, a plain white shirt with an ugly logo and not matching hats will not place you anywhere near the top or even the halfway mark at that.
c. Ohio Outlook: I’d be surprised but gosh am I hoping for a change.
b. The River Monsters. Perhaps one of my least favorite logos of all time. It’s not a reflection of the guys, because I do like these guys as players and people. But to be blunt, a plain white shirt with an ugly logo and not matching hats will not place you anywhere near the top or even the halfway mark at that.
c. Ohio Outlook: I’d be surprised but gosh am I hoping for a change.
#16 SRL Hotel Sterling
a. Last Year: 14
b. Classic logo on a grey shirt. I’m salty towards looks like that. What I can appreciate about the 2015 incarnation of Hotel Sterling is the black outline on the numbers on the back. What I can’t appreciate is that Beau didn’t get a new shirt. Cue Cris Carter’s “CMON MAN!” You gotta get the look. Even Bill got a new shirt.
c. Ohio Outlook: Most likely won’t see a change, but that’s aight.
b. Classic logo on a grey shirt. I’m salty towards looks like that. What I can appreciate about the 2015 incarnation of Hotel Sterling is the black outline on the numbers on the back. What I can’t appreciate is that Beau didn’t get a new shirt. Cue Cris Carter’s “CMON MAN!” You gotta get the look. Even Bill got a new shirt.
c. Ohio Outlook: Most likely won’t see a change, but that’s aight.
#15 ISWB Moonshots
a. Last Year: N/A
b. The Moonshots overtook the CWBC Clubbers for this year’s “Just different enough to Be Considered Decent” Award in these rankings. Basically, this award is given to the team that has something slightly different on their shirts that separates them from the plain white t’s crowd. They had red duds with white piping (almost exactly like 2014 CWBC) with white word marks and white numbers. Nothing too stand-out-ish but it’s enough that it’s not bad.
c. Ohio Outlook: They're hoping that someone drops out, because they’re next up.
b. The Moonshots overtook the CWBC Clubbers for this year’s “Just different enough to Be Considered Decent” Award in these rankings. Basically, this award is given to the team that has something slightly different on their shirts that separates them from the plain white t’s crowd. They had red duds with white piping (almost exactly like 2014 CWBC) with white word marks and white numbers. Nothing too stand-out-ish but it’s enough that it’s not bad.
c. Ohio Outlook: They're hoping that someone drops out, because they’re next up.
#14 KWL Keggers
a. Last Year: 11
b. So KWL changed from the Aces to the Keggers from last year to this year. I’m not super big on beer-themed national teams but their jerseys were very nice. In a normal situation, random accents are annoying and generally come off as lazy. But in the NWLA world, you get celebrated for it. Going with the dark grey was a bold choice that paid off, with the white accents. Add to that a red wordmark with a white outline and you have a very nice looking set. For me, it’s a nice upgrade from last year (despite the drop in ranking).
c. Ohio Outlook: I’d be shocked if we saw a change.
b. So KWL changed from the Aces to the Keggers from last year to this year. I’m not super big on beer-themed national teams but their jerseys were very nice. In a normal situation, random accents are annoying and generally come off as lazy. But in the NWLA world, you get celebrated for it. Going with the dark grey was a bold choice that paid off, with the white accents. Add to that a red wordmark with a white outline and you have a very nice looking set. For me, it’s a nice upgrade from last year (despite the drop in ranking).
c. Ohio Outlook: I’d be shocked if we saw a change.
#13 GBL Paw Chests
a. Last Year: 8
b. The Celebration Chests broke out a grey and black look this year. Here’s my theory on how it happened: Ryan Galiher and Jeremy Ratajcyzk were discussing this year’s new look and Ryan said: “Jeremy. I have this sick matte grey Nike cleats. We need to design this year’s shirts around them.” Then J-Rat saw them and agreed instantly. If that isn’t how it happened, it should be, because this look benefited Ryan very well. And for the record, I’ve designed a uniform around shoes, too. No, I really, really liked this set. A lot of times, people go with grey or black because eff it and they look forced, but these shirts looked very sharp. Honestly, this set is awesome. It's just bad luck that 12 other teams did a really good job on their jerseys. I'm sorry, Jeremy.
c. Ohio Outlook: With the name change from Paw Chests to Celebration Station, we’re almost guaranteed to see a new set. I’m very excited.
b. The Celebration Chests broke out a grey and black look this year. Here’s my theory on how it happened: Ryan Galiher and Jeremy Ratajcyzk were discussing this year’s new look and Ryan said: “Jeremy. I have this sick matte grey Nike cleats. We need to design this year’s shirts around them.” Then J-Rat saw them and agreed instantly. If that isn’t how it happened, it should be, because this look benefited Ryan very well. And for the record, I’ve designed a uniform around shoes, too. No, I really, really liked this set. A lot of times, people go with grey or black because eff it and they look forced, but these shirts looked very sharp. Honestly, this set is awesome. It's just bad luck that 12 other teams did a really good job on their jerseys. I'm sorry, Jeremy.
c. Ohio Outlook: With the name change from Paw Chests to Celebration Station, we’re almost guaranteed to see a new set. I’m very excited.
#12 GWWW Muscadines
a. Last Year: N/A
b. Let em hang! The slogan of the grape-wine honoring team from Georgia. I won’t lie here, I was shocked they all had matching shirts. Then I got a look at them on YouTube rather than Periscope and I was really surprised that they all matched and there were even two alternates. Two things hold them back here: The GSWL logo on the sleeve (c’mon guys. It’s NWLA. We don’t have inflatable walls here) and the fact that their shorts/sock color of green was waaaay off from the green of their shirts. This was probably on of the best showing from a rookie team uniform wise, but the shorts/sock color really turned me off.
c. Ohio Outlook: They’ll prolly go to a GSWL event that weekend.
b. Let em hang! The slogan of the grape-wine honoring team from Georgia. I won’t lie here, I was shocked they all had matching shirts. Then I got a look at them on YouTube rather than Periscope and I was really surprised that they all matched and there were even two alternates. Two things hold them back here: The GSWL logo on the sleeve (c’mon guys. It’s NWLA. We don’t have inflatable walls here) and the fact that their shorts/sock color of green was waaaay off from the green of their shirts. This was probably on of the best showing from a rookie team uniform wise, but the shorts/sock color really turned me off.
c. Ohio Outlook: They’ll prolly go to a GSWL event that weekend.
#11 BWBLPA Super Heroes in Training
a. Last Year: N/A
b. These guys’ shirts were the shit. I’m a pretty big Vikings rube, so using the color purple resonates greatly with me. I thought it totally worked here, and was happy they didn’t go with green. AND THE GOLD NAME AND NUMBERS. It’s like Sickle designed this uniform just to please me. Unless I hear differently, I’m going to assume that’s how it went. So well done, SHIT. You used my love of purple and gold to propel yourselves up these rankings.
c. Ohio Outlook: Please match up shorts. I mean, you got orange-shorts McGee out there doing stuff and whatnot. Can’t go wrong with black shorts. Don’t know what we’ll get from a rookie team though so I wouldn’t expect much change.
b. These guys’ shirts were the shit. I’m a pretty big Vikings rube, so using the color purple resonates greatly with me. I thought it totally worked here, and was happy they didn’t go with green. AND THE GOLD NAME AND NUMBERS. It’s like Sickle designed this uniform just to please me. Unless I hear differently, I’m going to assume that’s how it went. So well done, SHIT. You used my love of purple and gold to propel yourselves up these rankings.
c. Ohio Outlook: Please match up shorts. I mean, you got orange-shorts McGee out there doing stuff and whatnot. Can’t go wrong with black shorts. Don’t know what we’ll get from a rookie team though so I wouldn’t expect much change.
#10 HFWB Hitmen
a. Last year: N/A
b. Ahh, the Hess Hitmen. I really like these guys and can’t wait to meet them. I said on my previews podcast that this was my favorite new team. And if you’re looking for my reason, no need to look past their team name. I’m a documented WWE fan, so the homage to the best there is, the best there was, and the best their ever will be got my fandom right away. Then they gave the nod to Bret Hart with his trademarked pink and black look, with the pink shirts and black shorts. The shirts aren’t overly detailed but the fact that they went different and got pink threads is enough to put them above the rest. If these guys all got some matching hats and Bret Hart sunglasses for Ohio, I’d move to NY and join HFWB.
c. Ohio Outlook: Most likely will see no change in headgear considering it’s a rookie team but hey. I’ve guessed wrong about HFWB before!
b. Ahh, the Hess Hitmen. I really like these guys and can’t wait to meet them. I said on my previews podcast that this was my favorite new team. And if you’re looking for my reason, no need to look past their team name. I’m a documented WWE fan, so the homage to the best there is, the best there was, and the best their ever will be got my fandom right away. Then they gave the nod to Bret Hart with his trademarked pink and black look, with the pink shirts and black shorts. The shirts aren’t overly detailed but the fact that they went different and got pink threads is enough to put them above the rest. If these guys all got some matching hats and Bret Hart sunglasses for Ohio, I’d move to NY and join HFWB.
c. Ohio Outlook: Most likely will see no change in headgear considering it’s a rookie team but hey. I’ve guessed wrong about HFWB before!
#9 MWLWI Mequonderers (Jammers?)
a. Last year: 9
b. The Wisco boys made a big upgrade last year, adding red accents to their set. Then this year, they decided to go unofficially as the Jammers and wore their league shirts. Once again, they looked very, very good. But the thing holding them back (again) is the reluctance to go all-out and get matching team hats. Mikey Boyles last year had the right hat for the set, and it is the same deal this year. If the three other guys had the Jammers hat, this is a top-5 set for sure.
c. Ohio Outlook: Mike told me first hand that they'll be wearing the same set they did last year.
b. The Wisco boys made a big upgrade last year, adding red accents to their set. Then this year, they decided to go unofficially as the Jammers and wore their league shirts. Once again, they looked very, very good. But the thing holding them back (again) is the reluctance to go all-out and get matching team hats. Mikey Boyles last year had the right hat for the set, and it is the same deal this year. If the three other guys had the Jammers hat, this is a top-5 set for sure.
c. Ohio Outlook: Mike told me first hand that they'll be wearing the same set they did last year.
#8 WWL Warriors
a. Last Year: 12
b. Regis seemed to have a nice authority over the Warriors’ uniforms this year. I don’t know if it’s a coincidence they all had white socks and black shoes but if it was intentional, I commend you, Pollard. As for the look of the shirts and hats, it’s average as it was last year. I can really appreciate the custom hats but the colors on the hat and the colors on the shirt don’t match, which irks me. If the lettering on the shirt was green, you got a great set here. But alas, it’s electric blue and its average at best.
c. Ohio Outlook: Again this is another case of hoping to see a slight change but I almost guarantee we won’t see it.
b. Regis seemed to have a nice authority over the Warriors’ uniforms this year. I don’t know if it’s a coincidence they all had white socks and black shoes but if it was intentional, I commend you, Pollard. As for the look of the shirts and hats, it’s average as it was last year. I can really appreciate the custom hats but the colors on the hat and the colors on the shirt don’t match, which irks me. If the lettering on the shirt was green, you got a great set here. But alas, it’s electric blue and its average at best.
c. Ohio Outlook: Again this is another case of hoping to see a slight change but I almost guarantee we won’t see it.
#7 SWBL Cardinals
a. Last year: 6
b. A common theme throughout the rankings is the absence of matching hats holding a team back. And it is appropriate here, again. The Skibbe threads remain stable for the regionals, which isn’t a bad thing. Modeled after the HRL Blue Jays, it’s a look that won’t get old for another couple of years. But if they all copped Cardinals hats, this set rockets up the rankings. And a word to Gus Skibbe: lose the Blues hat, forever. It reeks of regular season greatness and post-season disaster.
c. Ohio Outlook: Hopefully not another 3rd place finish, and mismatched hats.
b. A common theme throughout the rankings is the absence of matching hats holding a team back. And it is appropriate here, again. The Skibbe threads remain stable for the regionals, which isn’t a bad thing. Modeled after the HRL Blue Jays, it’s a look that won’t get old for another couple of years. But if they all copped Cardinals hats, this set rockets up the rankings. And a word to Gus Skibbe: lose the Blues hat, forever. It reeks of regular season greatness and post-season disaster.
c. Ohio Outlook: Hopefully not another 3rd place finish, and mismatched hats.
#6 WSEM Dads
a. Last year: 4
b. The #Champs will always find themselves among the top contenders, mainly because of the general uniform among their team. Matching, custom hats, UA shirts, UA shorts and amazing Nike socks (to this day, I wonder where they got them). The ONLY reason the #Champs aren’t sitting in the Top 5 is because a few of their guys had mismatched colors. C’mon, bros. I don’t know the circumstances of this situation, but I’m not at liberty to give the benefit of the doubt at this juncture.
c. Ohio Outlook: Hopefully they all have same color shirts, and they’ll probably be rocking pedo staches.
b. The #Champs will always find themselves among the top contenders, mainly because of the general uniform among their team. Matching, custom hats, UA shirts, UA shorts and amazing Nike socks (to this day, I wonder where they got them). The ONLY reason the #Champs aren’t sitting in the Top 5 is because a few of their guys had mismatched colors. C’mon, bros. I don’t know the circumstances of this situation, but I’m not at liberty to give the benefit of the doubt at this juncture.
c. Ohio Outlook: Hopefully they all have same color shirts, and they’ll probably be rocking pedo staches.
#5 BCW Keg Crushers
a. Last year: N/A
b. I can say I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the BCW had tweeted out a picture of their jerseys hanging in a Minneapolis closet at 1 AM the day of competition. I wasn’t sure what to expect from them. Then they got to the rinks of Sky Hill and I was honestly blown away by the legitness of their threads. They had a sick throwback feel, with completely matching hats. They had the Milwaukee Brewer keg-man on the lids and a self-portrait of Neuman crushing a keg on the front. I liked these guys, and I can say this: well done, sir. You guys may not have played very well but they looked really good doing it.
c. Ohio Outlook: Neuman is still vying for Lindor’s HR Derby pitching position. Besides that, I’m not nervous assuming there will be a few brewskis crushed by the collective Keg Crushers.
b. I can say I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the BCW had tweeted out a picture of their jerseys hanging in a Minneapolis closet at 1 AM the day of competition. I wasn’t sure what to expect from them. Then they got to the rinks of Sky Hill and I was honestly blown away by the legitness of their threads. They had a sick throwback feel, with completely matching hats. They had the Milwaukee Brewer keg-man on the lids and a self-portrait of Neuman crushing a keg on the front. I liked these guys, and I can say this: well done, sir. You guys may not have played very well but they looked really good doing it.
c. Ohio Outlook: Neuman is still vying for Lindor’s HR Derby pitching position. Besides that, I’m not nervous assuming there will be a few brewskis crushed by the collective Keg Crushers.
#4 PWL Nationals
a. Last year: 3
b. As far as uniform goes, only a handful of teams are on the same level as Gallaway’s boys. These guys got the hats, jerseys, and shorts to boot. Not to mention the amount of combinations they can swing. Unfortunately, they did not take advantage of the combos they have had in years past this regionals tournament (a la Freaky Franchise). One notable addition to the closet here is the new MLB BP style jerseys, with the red front and blue back. I’m in the minority of being a fan of these. As long as they keep cranking out uniforms like they did at regionals, they’ll continue to find themselves towards the top of these rankings.
c. Ohio Outlook: Probably going to be most of the same. Hopefully we see their alts come out, but you can bank on Nationals navy and blue jerseys all weekend.
b. As far as uniform goes, only a handful of teams are on the same level as Gallaway’s boys. These guys got the hats, jerseys, and shorts to boot. Not to mention the amount of combinations they can swing. Unfortunately, they did not take advantage of the combos they have had in years past this regionals tournament (a la Freaky Franchise). One notable addition to the closet here is the new MLB BP style jerseys, with the red front and blue back. I’m in the minority of being a fan of these. As long as they keep cranking out uniforms like they did at regionals, they’ll continue to find themselves towards the top of these rankings.
c. Ohio Outlook: Probably going to be most of the same. Hopefully we see their alts come out, but you can bank on Nationals navy and blue jerseys all weekend.
#3 TBW Lightning
a. Last year: 2
b. TBW is becoming something of an elite mainstay at the top of these rankings. The boys from Tampa always match and it always looks good. The one knock is that they stuck with the gold duds all day. I was hoping to see their blue or white numbers, but the generally matching hats, shirts and sick shorts (Digi camo FTW) will keep them in the top 5 of this ranking.
c. Ohio Outlook: hopefully the mismatched tube socks, matching arm sleeves and other jerseys find their way to Ohio. One should expect big things from them both on the field and in the uniform department.
b. TBW is becoming something of an elite mainstay at the top of these rankings. The boys from Tampa always match and it always looks good. The one knock is that they stuck with the gold duds all day. I was hoping to see their blue or white numbers, but the generally matching hats, shirts and sick shorts (Digi camo FTW) will keep them in the top 5 of this ranking.
c. Ohio Outlook: hopefully the mismatched tube socks, matching arm sleeves and other jerseys find their way to Ohio. One should expect big things from them both on the field and in the uniform department.
#2 MNWA Gophers
a. Last year: 7
b. We decided to go big this year. On the front, we broke out the old Marquette stripes again, this time in a reduced fashion. Then on the back, we went Nike-basketball style and had the art behind the name/number template. The art is of our main Field, JC Memorial Field. It was a bit of a gamble going with the big gold block rather than a darker shade of maroon, but it paid off big dividends. Pair the shirt with the custom hats of the “sock puppet” logo (aka “What is that under his nose”) and the matching-across-the-board shorts and socks combo, and you have yourself an upper-echelon type of uniform here.
c. Ohio Outlook: With the new shirts, we have homes (last year’s white) and roads (the new threads) so it will give us the chance to undress in front of everyone, which will be a treat for no-one.
b. We decided to go big this year. On the front, we broke out the old Marquette stripes again, this time in a reduced fashion. Then on the back, we went Nike-basketball style and had the art behind the name/number template. The art is of our main Field, JC Memorial Field. It was a bit of a gamble going with the big gold block rather than a darker shade of maroon, but it paid off big dividends. Pair the shirt with the custom hats of the “sock puppet” logo (aka “What is that under his nose”) and the matching-across-the-board shorts and socks combo, and you have yourself an upper-echelon type of uniform here.
c. Ohio Outlook: With the new shirts, we have homes (last year’s white) and roads (the new threads) so it will give us the chance to undress in front of everyone, which will be a treat for no-one.
#1 OCWA Freaky Franchise
a. Last year: 1
b. The freaky boys know their style. No-one knows exactly how many uniform combinations they have, but for the purposes of this article, I’ve employed the services of the leading mathematician at the University of Purdue. But he might not get back to me, because I forgot to wish him Happy Birthday (#Chachy). Unfortunately, there wasn’t much change at regionals, but I know they will be donning all kinds of combos in Ohio. And hopefully Bush found me one of those hats at his house.
c. Ohio Outlook: I really, REALLY want to see the Houston Astros style set they have. I know their groupies wore them last year. And if it means I have to be a FF groupie to get one: sign me up.
b. The freaky boys know their style. No-one knows exactly how many uniform combinations they have, but for the purposes of this article, I’ve employed the services of the leading mathematician at the University of Purdue. But he might not get back to me, because I forgot to wish him Happy Birthday (#Chachy). Unfortunately, there wasn’t much change at regionals, but I know they will be donning all kinds of combos in Ohio. And hopefully Bush found me one of those hats at his house.
c. Ohio Outlook: I really, REALLY want to see the Houston Astros style set they have. I know their groupies wore them last year. And if it means I have to be a FF groupie to get one: sign me up.