The Midwest Mafia 13U return to action in April for their 4th year together as a team. The Midwest Mafia had a strong 2022 season posting a record of 41-22-2 against some of the best competition across the country. The Mafia return all 11 players from the 2022 season and have added Mack Nelson to the team for the season. Mack is poised to add some pop to the middle of the lineup and added pitching depth to the team.
Drew Potthoff was the lone addition to the team in the 2022 season. He made significant contributions to the team during the season at the plate and had memorable pitching performances against the Midwest Athletics (now Top Tier Athletics) at the GMB Elite Mother's Day Tournament championship game and again at TBS Nationals tournament. Reece Gade led the Mafia offense in 2022 with a .490 batting average and an impressive 18 home runs. The strength of the Mafia in years past and again in 2023 will be its defense. Kody Sherwood, Cole Woodward and Levi Daly are all slick fielding middle infielders. Landon Leach and Dayton Travis man the first base position throughout the season. Catching continues to be a strength for the Mafia as they head into 2023. Mike Young and Logan Osmonson both possess strong framing and blocking skills as well as quick pop times.
Another major strength of the Midwest Mafia heading into 2023 is team speed. Connor Wietfeldt patrols the outfield and has exceptional speed on the bases. Ashton Hummel led the Mafia in ERA in 2022 and has strong mechanics and deceptive movement and action on his pitches. The Mafia routinely use 8-9 pitchers each weekend.
The Midwest Mafia continue to compete against the best teams from across the midwest while consisting of a team of players that all live within 20 miles of each other. This upcoming year, the Mafia will travel to Chesterfield Missouri to compete in the Perfect Game St. Louis Super Regional NIT as well as once again hosting their own tournament, the USSSA Midwest Mafia Showdown. The Mafia will also take part in the Perfect Game St. Louis Super Select Invitational and the Primetime Tournaments State Championships in the Chicago area. The highlight of the schedule each year is the Brad Wallin Memorial Tournament that benefits St. Judes.
