K-9’s
MASSACHUSETTS
TOURNAMENT ROSTER
Mike Sidorov (c) – RHP/RHB – Age 35 – Maryland
Cody Blake – RHB – Age 29 – Massachusetts
Elliot Knower – LHP/LHB – Age 33 – Massachusetts
Ryan Mentock – RHP/RHB – Age 36 – North Carolina
Derek Radek – RHP/RHB – Age 31 – Illinois
TEAM OVERVIEW
The K-9’s out of Massachusetts are one of Golden Stick’s longest running franchises. For the 2020 National Championship tournament, they will return three of their key players - Mike Sidorov, Elliot Knower, and Cody Blake - from the early-2010’s version of the team that posted winning records in both the 2012 and 2013 GSWL fast pitch seasons. That trio will be joined by a pair of K-9 newcomers in Ryan Mentock and Derek Radek.
Knower - referred to affectionately as the “Vanilla Gorilla” - was the K-9’s number two pitcher (statistically speaking) during that early 2010’s run. In 2012 and 2013, Elliot tossed a combined 78 1/3 innings and managed an impressive 3.4 SO/BB ratio to go along with a solid 2.46 ERA. The big left-hander has not been a regular post-2015 but did compete in the 2020 GSWL Yard Open. Knower is likely to take the ball throughout the tournament, as he figures to be one of the K-9’s more reliable pitching options even with his lack of recent fast pitch play.
Derek Radek’s fast pitch layoff has been even longer at seven years. Radek was a staple of the Chicago wiffleball scene for many years and the K-9’s hope that the time off will have him fresh and ready-to-go come October. Radek uses a high leg kick to accentuate his otherwise straightforward overhand delivery. He also hit very well in the offensive-heavy 2013 GSWL Midwest region.
Sidorov also figures to be a pitching candidate for the K-9’s come October but will likely slot 3rd of 4th on the depth chart. Mike is an experienced fast pitch hitter and has gotten in some recent reps this year in Mid Atlantic. Blake profiles similarly to Sidorov - an experienced hitter who is not likely to see a lot (or any) time on the rubber. Rounding out the K-9’s tournament roster is Ryan Mentock. Not much is known about this North Carolinian wiffler, other than he does have some competitive Wiffle®Ball experience.
The K-9’s do not lack for experience or even pitching options. For this veteran franchise, their tournament outcome will likely be determined by how many quality innings they receive from Radek and Knower after their time away from fast pitch Wiffle®Ball.
