West Allis NATIONALS Baseball

After 11 productive seasons, Andy Butorac (#27) has decided to hang up his spikes. Citing family and career responsibilities, Butorac leaves behind an impressive legacy. Butorac broke in with the team at the end of the 1991 season. A fixture in leftfield for nearly a decade, Butorac's finest performances occured at the plate. Three times Butorac hit better than .400, highlighted by a 1998 campaign in which he hit .500 with 3HR's and 25 RBI's. Last season Butorac finished with a .333 average and 21 RBI's. Quietly confident in the four hole, Butorac's finest moment may have been a game winning grand slam in the last of the seventh of a 1999 game versus the four-time defending champion, Luke's Cubs. Butorac is among the all-time leaders in multiple categories. He ranks second all-time in doubles (35), third in homers (7), and is tied for fourth in RBI. (130) Butorac's absense will be felt by all. His self-effacing humor and dry wit was an intregal part of the team's overall personality.

The team voted to alter the style of its game caps for the upcoming season. Those attending the winter planning meeting discussed a variety of options before settling on a solid, navy blue, low-profile, fitted cap with a Yankees-style "N" for the logo. The final product should strongly resemble the current Yankee cap with only the "Y" excluded.

The order for 2001 Championship Plaques has arrived and plaques are now available on a first-come, first-serve basis. To reserve yours, a payment of $35 is needed. Supply is limited. A total of 12 remain for purchase, so open your vaults and avoid the pain of regret.

The two-time defending champion Nationals will conduct their first planning meeting for the upcoming season on Sunday December 23, 2001 at 1:30pm. Contact Steve Elliott on this site or at 414-327-2398 for details. All interested in playing for the 2002 Nationals need to attend or call with regrets..

The West Allis Nationals announced today that the team has come to terms with two veteran Minor South Division players. Mike Wajerski-SS and Tony Klappa-1B,RP will join the club to fill voids created by the expected departure of a couple of veteran players. Wajerski and Klappa both gained fame as members of the McGuire's franchise during the nineties. The franchise folded following the 2000 season. Last season each played in the Minor North-Klappa with the champion Dodgers and Wajerski with Sammy's/Sluggo's. Both Klappa and Wajerski were key members of the 1999 McGuire's squad that lost to Luke's Cubs in the County Championship. Klappa hit .409 while Wajerski hit .333 with 20 runs and 15RBI from the leadoff spot.