14? GAWL Stars?
So this round, there were two teams who I failed to get team shots of. For one reason or another, I wasn’t able to attain any picture. And I was really disappointed that there wasn’t a team picture from GAWL because according to my uniform correspondents who were in Wilkes-Barre, they had matching hats. And if you know me, I like hats. The only pictures I was able to find of GAWL were from the NWLA Tournament Twitter account, which were taken from far away, through a black fence. So it isn’t clear enough for me to make an accurate judgement of the uniforms. From the looks of it, it seems as if they simply wore white hats, along with white shirts with black lettering. So from what I can see, they didn’t exactly set the world on fire. If anyone from GAWL is reading this and wants to send in a pic for consideration I’d love to re-rank the teams but for now, GAWL is falling into the “unrankable” category.
13? WWF nWo?
WWF is the other team that I wasn’t able to find a team shot of. From what I understand, there was dissension among the team at the end of the day, so I understand not being able to get a team shot. One of the pictures I did find shows Mark Belles and Zach Artim rocking some flag shorts along with what I assume are their flag Astros hats from SWBL weekend. That look along with the flag-themed jerseys make a killer combo, worthy of a top-5 ranking. However, there is one other dude in the picture who isn’t wearing those shorts, and I have to assume he isn’t a lone wolf. I have the jersey specs attached because the jersey itself is amazing. It’s a shame we won’t be seeing these threads in action in Morenci.
12. AWAA Purple Cobras
The Purple Cobras jerseys for regionals definitely lived up to the first part of their name. Captain Jimmy Cole knows this ranking is coming and it shouldn’t surprise anyone else because while we’ve seen last minute shirts made before, other teams have taken the time to write their numbers on them, at least. From what I’ve seen of their jerseys they have planned for Nationals, I would be surprised to see them in the basement in the next round of rankings. And Jimmy has teased me several times, warning me that their Friday Night look will “turn heads.”
11. RPWL Longballers
While I was scrolling through the pictures I have for this article, I was surprised when I looked at RPWL’s again and thought ‘Do I actually like this uniform?’ I like that they matched up the shorts and I really like that they got creative with the sharpies. These jerseys might not even be the worst ones that were worn at Regionals, but the outcome can’t make up for the fact that other teams actually took the time to order professionally done shirts. All I hope is that their Kickstarter campaign can make enough to cover some jersey upgrades!
10. SFWL Loons
Pictured here are the legendary Pabon brothers from the HRL, Keith and Sean. Although they are better known as Torpedo and Rocket: the anchors for the legendary Eagan Yankees. The Pabon brothers played for SFWL again for NWLA Tournament and the tournament is made better by their presence, they’re great dudes. At first glance the Loons jerseys look pretty good but I am almost certain that they are homemade, akin to the RPWL Longballers. The 4-inch numbers used on the back looked kind of awkward and the mismatching hats and shorts didn’t do a lot to help their ranking.
9. BWACS Lot Lizards
While still pretty low on this list, the 2017 BWACS threads were a massive upgrade over last year’s! The boys from the Southside showed up with some professionally done shirts this year (thanks to knowing they were playing earlier than the week of the tournament) and they got to flaunt their cool new league logo. Beyond that, the color scheme, and mismatching really held them back from getting any higher. If Ronnie the Stache has a problem, he can fight me.
8. BWB Bombers
Possibly the biggest question mark heading into regionals, the Bemidji Bombers ended up being a really fun addition to the tournament, manned by fun, competitive players. I was super anxious to see what they had prepared, uniform-wise, and was glad to see they kept the color scheme from their collective school, Bemidji State. I’m very glad they shed away from being the Bemidji Beavers (like BSU) but the Bombers name provided a cool logo and overall, the shirt was pretty solid. They had mismatching problems, like a lot of teams on the bottom part of this list, but my favorite outfit from the team belonged to Ryan “Hags” Hagerty. Ryan is a very good player, and his sock game was unmatched (pictured above.) Fun fact above Ryan’s hat (second from the left): one in every two Minnesotans have that hat because everyone of us is so cute and outdoorsy! If you’re a Minnesotan and you don’t own that hat, you’re basically a Wisconsonite. And no-one wants that.
7. HWL Saved By the Balls
If we learned anything from the 90’s, it’s that you can’t go wrong with teal. They had some teal last year, and this year opted to go for an all-teal look. It’s a unique look and they jerseys look dynamite. From the looks of it, they all tried to match up with plain black shorts, however they still have varying hats. But the look is very cool and I wish I could have seen them in action.
6. WILL Waves
As soon as I saw the Waves’ logo, I was very impressed. It’s a very unique and very good logo. It’s actually reminiscent of the new Minnesota Timberwolves’ logo which I am a big fan of. Their uniqueness is also present in the Wave’s uniform color choices, too. Many teams opt for all black shorts, but they went all white. Many teams opt for all white shirts, but they went navy! I can tell these guys are col dudes (just look at homeboy on the left’s arm sleeve) and I’m excited to see if they step up their uni game at all for nationals.
5. GBL Paw Chests
The Celebration Chests’ jerseys were recycled (unless I’m mistaken) for regionals but they did break out some new, custom shorts! The shorts are a reflection of their league color changes they made along with a new logo, of which I am a very big fan. They didn't go with matching hats though, which kept them out of a higher place on the ranks. And in order for them to maintain a top-8 uniform ranking at Nationals (which is all anyone cares about), they’ll have to splash with something new.
4. HRL Beah Faces
The HRL uniforms are the same as they have been the last two rounds. Not that there’s anything wrong with that! The jerseys are easily top-3 in the tournament, and the hats they wear are hard to compete with. The stagnancy of the uniforms is hat keeps them from being top-3 this round, although it’s still a great look. And once again, Tyler Flakne is too cool to wear the same hat as his teammates.
3. MNWA Beahvers
When the Minnesota Wild came out with their now old green alternate jerseys, I always thought the word mark would make an excellent baseball jersey. And so this year I decided to apply that theory to a wiffleball jersey and I believe the results were outstanding. The all maroon look is very slick (even with the outdated hats) and everyone wore the black shorts! The one thing keep our set from being number two is a lone wolf who decided to throw it back to 2014 because he couldn’t find his maroon hat. He hasn’t been seen since our last game at regionals…
2. BWBL Breaker Boys
The Breaker Boys probably deserved a way higher ranking than I gave them last year. And this year’s ranking isn’t even a make-up for that, because I think their uniforms looked very, very good. Sickle got the team new hats which I am a very big fan of (and hope he gifts me one at Nationals) and they replaced their uninspired white jerseys last year with some slick looking silver ones this year. I was very impressed by the Breaker Boys!
1. BCW Keg Crushers
This year was BCW’s last year playing in the NWLA Tournament and the Keg Crushers went out in style. Those jerseys are easily top three jerseys of all time in NWLA Tournament, and the fact that they all had black shorts and matching Brewers hats was enough to justify my pleasure of giving Chris Neumann and the BCW boys the top spot in this year’s regional uniform rankings. Guys, it was always a pleasure to play against you and I was always a fan of your jersey until you stepped up your game this year and showed up with what are now my favorite jerseys of all time.