Reynolds players to watch: Zack Andersen

Andersen is a key centerpiece of the new post rebuild Phillies, he's also my ump partner, so he's very cool, I sat down with him in studio 29 for a little chat.

Reynolds: Tell me your story.

Zack: Well, I was first introduced to the sport of fake baseball by current Indians GM Ethan Franklin. I instantly fell in love with it, as real baseball had never really worked out for me. I have to admit, I was really nervous at the start - it's a really big community, and for a rookie like myself it was a bit overwhelming and I had to ask my friends - Ethan was a major help, and guys like Angel Leon and Jarace Walker also answered quite a few of my questions - for help on what to do.

On my first day, I tried my best to get oriented and chatted in the league chat, but I never really received much interest. The Phillies were the only team to talk to me during the 24 hour signing period, and they did so only because their main target chose not to sign with them. Rather than complicated things any further, I signed with the Phils as soon as the deadline had passed.

R: where you concerned about you joining a team with a losing record at that time?

Z: At the time, the Phillies were 2-3 and winning their game 5-1, so no. I was more concerned with getting playing time and the clubhouse aspect.

R: did you fit into the clubhouse right away or you had problems getting used to it?

Z: I had problems getting used to everything, but I found it easy to become a part of the Phillies clubhouse. Ethan was a big part of that, and the team had also just signed another one of my friends, Tommy Brown. However, the rest of the team was (and still is) extremely friendly and helpful, and they helped me get into the game.

R: how did the clubhouse change to your point of view when Ethan left?

Z: Not much, to be honest. At that point I was familiar with the game and had already started making my own identity and friendships. It didn't take long for me to, especially within my clubhouse, branch out and start talking to more of my team- and league-mates.

R: how did you get involved in more community related activities, like umping for example?

Z: After the schism I saw that the league needed volunteers, and I thought umping would be a fun job that I would be good for. I have always enjoyed writing and helping games run, and I felt umping combined those aspects. I sent Zum a dm, and he added me to the ump team a few days later.

As for other community aspects, it was kind of the same story. After the schism, I felt that the league became a friendlier place, and I felt more comfortable in it; as a result, I went ahead and volunteered for the ECO playtest games, trivia contests, et cetera, which just made the experience even better.

R: how do you feel about your team's recent success?

Z: I feel that we've always had it in us. Before our recent streak, we were the victim of some bad luck - we would zig when the pitcher would zag. Since then we have improved our scouting and made several changes to how we play, but I think it's mainly been due to increased confidence and a change of luck.

R: do you feel like anything but the paper cup is a failure in the season?

Z: While we would love to repeat, I will be proud of the team regardless. Just a few sessions ago, we were 4-7. I feel that we have the tools to win the Paper Cup, but whether or not we do it will have been an incredible season.

R: do you pay attention to the league as a whole or do you only watch your division/your own game?

Z: Mainly my division, but I also look a lot at who is doing well and games between contending teams. Now that we're competitive, every game matters for us - plus, you never know, you could learn something interesting.

R: are you rotting for another team besides yours?

Z: I'm rooting for the Devil Rays to win the AL so we have a good chance in the paper cup.

R: I'll take it (Laughs)

Have you guys prepared anything for the next games or do you guys take it slow, pitch to pitch?

Z: Our team normally prepares scouting reports a few days in advance. Of course, every situation is different and we talk over a lot of our swings as well.

R: have there been times when you guys go "they played a bad team so scratch everything the other team did and re do" or you guys don't do that?

Z: Not really. Again, every team has strengths and weaknesses, and all data, be it against the Pirates or Orioles, is useful. The context, in terms of situation and opponent, can be useful in analysis, but ultimately everyone is just trying to do their best and get good results. The way that the best results are achieved may differ, but that's overthinking it a bit.

R: do you overthink your swings?

Z: I did at first and slumped hugely because of it. Nowadays I just pick one way of swinging and go with it. I feel that worse things happen when I over think (case in point: in my second AB of the Devil Rays game my original swing would have been a double or triple, but I changed it at the last second and got a high difference 1B)

R: well, anything you want to state to the league on your open mic time?

Remember I'm not responsible of hurt feelings.

Z: Don't count the Phillies out. In Cafardo's Bold Predictions article, he labeled us doomed because we faced good pitching teams during this stretch. We have gone undefeated in the very games he predicted we'd be shut down in. I think that's what makes us dangerous - we can beat anyone. We knocked over the Hoose. We evaded Vader. We rode the highway through the Dan Gerzone. All of this with our pitching staff performing as one of the best in the league. While I try to be cautiously optimistic, this is a very different Phillies team from the one that was lifeless and hopeless in session 5 or entered session 12 4-7. Don't overlook us. (Or do, we won't care)

R: Thanks for your time man.

Z: anytime, now could you get this AB?

R: sure.

Andersen is a key piece on the phillies clubhouse, and with the wild card race reaching it's boiling point, he's a player to watch