West Allis NATIONALS Baseball

The Menasha Macs have been added to the schedule for our annual road trip. To fulfill a commitment made last year, the Nationals will travel to Menasha for a Friday night tilt on May 17, 2002. The rivalry stands at one win each after the Nationals defeated the Macs in last season's home opener, 6-4. Due to the addition of this game, previously scheduled doubleheaders against Manitowoc and Sheboygan may be reduced to single games. For the updated schedule, please click on the link named, "2002 Schedule." For a complete itinerary for this year's Road Trip, please click on "1976-2001 Stats" and look for the "Road Trip Itinerary" word file.

On Monday January 21, 2002 The West Allis Old Timers Baseball Association will hold its annual banquet at West Allis Central High School. Chach will honored with a special award for his decades of service to youth in our community. Take advantage of this great opportunity to thank one of the West Allis baseball scene's finest, funniest, and most unique characters.

Games for the annual pre-season road trip have been finalized. On Saturday May 18, 2002 the Nationals will travel to Manitowoc to play the State League's Manitowoc Bandits in an afternoon twinbill. The following day, the team will have an opportunity to avenge it's only defeat in 2001 in a rematch with the State League's Sheboygan A's. Plans are for an afternoon doubleheader. The team will take care of Saturday night accomodations and meals for those who make the trip. Plan now for one of the most exciting and challenging weekends in Nationals history!

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.