A’s Rake in 2020 WSL Post-Season Awards
Posted: October 28, 2020
The first place Lombard Orioles and the second place Sheboygan A’s filled nine of the 11 spots on the all-Wisconsin State Baseball League team released today.
In addition to the four first-teamers, A’s were voted Manager of the Year and Most Valuable Pitcher; three A’s were runners-up in voting for the major awards and two others were named to the second team.
Honored were:
Manager of the Year – Tim Moyer
Most Valuable Pitcher – Brad Rindfleisch
Runners Up in “Most Valuable” voting: Most Valuable Player – Ross Krist; Most Valuable Pitcher – Eric Schmitz; Rookie of the Year – Colin Butkiewicz
A’s being named to the Wisconsin State League First-Team were Ross Krist (Utility), Josh Moses (OF), Rindfleisch (P), Schmitz (P), and Moyer (Manager).
Named to the Second-Team was catcher Butkiewicz and third baseman Harry Steldt.
Despite the distraction and the pressure caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Tim Moyer led the A’s to a 16-7 record in the Wisconsin State League, 2½ games behind the Orioles, and most importantly, thanks to his preaching and the work of the Wildwood Park baseball staff, none of his players came down with the virus.
Despite juggling his roster that numbered 41 by year’s end and dividing playing time in an effort to keep all his players engaged, he directed the A’s to an overall 24-17 record, adding to the club’s winning tradition. The team extended its streak of winning seasons to 15. It has been a winner in 36 of the last 40 seasons. Moyer became the second Moyer to win the Manager of the Year award in his first season on the job, as older brother Dave won it in 1991.
Rindfleisch went 4-0 with a 1.42 earned run average to win the Most Valuable Pitcher award. He was joined on the first all-league team by teammate Schmitz who was 5-0 with a save and a 1.62 ERA. Schmitz was runner-up to Rindfleisch in the Most Valuable Pitcher voting.
Krist, who led the league in runs scored, hits, and on-base percentage was runner-up to Lombard’s Jack Novak in Most Valuable Player voting. Novak, a Chicagoan who plays at UW-Milwaukee, hit .425 to lead the Orioles, but played in only 13 games and didn’t have enough plate appearances to qualify for the batting title. That was won by Kyle Bullock of West Allis who hit .396. Krist hit .394, and was named to the first team as a utility player after playing every position for the A’s this season except pitcher.
Colin Butkiewicz joined the A’s at the suggestion of the venerable Wisconsin baseball legend and now part-time Milwaukee Brewers scout Ted Brzenk. It turned out to be a great addition as Butkiewicz hit .393 in the Wisconsin State League. Bukiewicz impressed everyone with his throwing arm and finished second to Novak in Rookie of the Year voting. He also landed a spot on the second all-league team. The A’s highly respected veteran Harry Steldt joined Butkiewicz on the second all-league team. It marks the ninth time Steldt has made the first or second team.
Joining Krist, Schmitz, and Rindfleisch on the first all-league team was the A’s hammer, outfielder Josh Moses, who led the league in home runs, total bases, slugging percentage, and O+S.
Awards will be presented at the league’s annual dinner, tentatively scheduled for January 30, 2021, at Blue Harbor Resort and Conference Center in Sheboygan.
The Sheboygan A's are members of the Wisconsin State League and Northeastern Wisconsin Baseball League. The A's have helped develop more than 43 players that have reached professional baseball, including 2002 World Series Champion Jarrod Washburn (Anaheim Angels). All Sheboygan A's home games are played at Wildwood Baseball Park in Sheboygan. Connect with the A's on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
