As you may have read, three APBA fans tied for first place in the 2021 Pitching Grade Challenge. Each one guessed 19 out of 20.
So far, you may have read interviews of Pitching Grade Challenge winners Mark Fitzkee and Shawn Robuccio. This interview is with Nick Tegeler. Fair warning, unlike Mark and Shawn, I’ve been friends with Nick for decades.
Not only was Nick a member of the Illowa APBA League for a couple of years (even winning a IAL championship somehow) but he was the commissioner of the Midwest League which I was a member for a short time. It thrilled me when I plugged the final grades in and Nick came up top!
The APBA Blog : Tell us a little bit about yourself. Who is Shawn Robuccio outside of the realm of APBA?
Nick Tegeler: I am 66 years old (is this my lucky year in APBA?). I am a retired letter carrier. I have a wonderful wife and two daughters, one son-in-law, and two grandsons that we are very proud of. For hobbies, besides APBA, I enjoy playing guitar. And my wife and I like to hike, exercise, and be close to nature.
TAB : Congratulations on your Challenge victory! Did you have a system or formula that led to your high score? Clue us all in!
NT: To predict pitching grades, I rely mostly on the ERA cutoffs that APBA has established over the years, but I round up a little for American League pitchers. I also check won/loss records, and the rest of the team’s rotation.
Rapid Fire Questions with Nick
| Favorite sports team? | The Cubs are my favorite team |
| Baseball player you would like to have lunch with (past or present)? | Kyle Schwarber (my wife’s and my favorite player) |
| Best APBA baseball card of all time in your opinion? | Best card of all time? No idea, but the best card I have had the good fortune to play for a whole season is 2018 Mookie Betts. |
| Do you use a dice shaker, dice tower or hand roll? | I usually use a backgammon shaker cup, but sometimes I use the APBA shaker cups. I firmly believe there are good and bad dice! |
| What’s one MLB rule you would change? | I would make batters stay in the box, and have a pitch clock on the pitchers. And keep two infielders on each side of 2nd base. |
TAB : How long have you played APBA? What first led you to the game?
NT: My first notice of the game was from a college friend. I started playing in the spring of 1977, drafting into the Midwest League with the 1976 season cards, in the league’s first of 25 seasons. I have played in a full season league every year since then, and I still have the cards for each of those seasons.
TAB : What APBA projects or activities are you involved in?
NT : Currently, I am in the AABA, preparing for my 20th season with that league. And I am signed up for Tony Stevens’ tournament for January.
TAB : Finally, because of your APBA expertise, you have won a season set from the APBA Company. Which season did you choose and why?
NT: I have chosen the 2021 season cards for my prize. It feels like a gift from our little slice of heaven. Thanks, Tom, and to John Herson and the APBA Game Company!
Nick adds that the photo above is at the Field of Dreams. He tells me his league team’s name is the ‘Iowa Field of Dreams’.
It was great to hear from Nick again. He’s an ‘old’ friend. If you haven’t already, check out the interviews with Challenge co-winners Mark Fitzkee and Shawn Robuccio.
Congratulations Nick!
