13U Illinois Wolves are Howling to Start their 2025 Showcase

By Patrick Z McGavin- Photos by Jenn Anne Gledhill

CAROL STREAM—The sound is different, the feel and moment are still very much the same for players like Christian Slazak.

Moving inside the customized field here at the DuPage Training Academy, the lanky and alert 13-year old is putting in the time and training to find the fluidity and rhythm of his game.

Baseball is a game of timing and repetition, and the Saturday morning session in March constitutes the vital step in the young players’ growth and development.

Getting back to basics and finding a groove. In the sealed space, the sound of the ball smashing off a bat is slightly different, muffled and more of a thwack.

Players like Slazak respond to the moment as if he were playing in an outdoor field.

As a second-year player with the now Illinois Wolves 13U, he is ready to take the invaluable next step, symbolically and otherwise. He has been waiting for this moment.

“This being my second year,” he said, “I feel like I’m bigger, stronger, gained some more weight, and I’m ready to hit some more home runs.

“The way I play and approach the game, I never give up.”

The coach and founder of the program, Brandin Muniz, is working with his assistant, Grant Johnson, in mobilizing the players and getting them in the right frame of mind.

Spring is always about renewal and rebirth. 

Now the coming baseball season, the two coaches are embarking on an ambitious next stage in the building of team culture and the brand.

“With last year being our first year, we had a goal in mind, and that was to make a statement,” Muniz said. “We wanted to put together the best team we could, and really compete with the best teams out there.

“We had some struggles in tournament play, and dealing with depth. I think we fixed that this year. We combined with the other top team. We’re really deep as far as hitting, pitching, and really everywhere. We’re more secure knowing what we’re going to do going into a tournament. We have a game plan.”

Call it beginner’s luck, or more accurately, being in the right place at the right time with the right combination of discipline, structure, coaching and young talent.

The team had a deeply impressive 76-percent winning percentage in finishing 45-14-2 playing in two separate leagues, the West Suburban Baseball League (WSBL) and the MId Suburban Baseball League (MSBL).

The Wolves reached the championship game of the 12U AAA of the WSBL, where they finished runner-up to the Hinsdale Devils Black.

Now several players from that Devils team have joined the Wolves, forming a deep, versatile and talented 13-player roster. 

“I thought they played really good baseball,” Matthew Wiskowski said. The outfielder, third baseman and pitcher is one of several former players of the Devils who has joined forces with the Wolves.

“I liked how serious they were, and how they warmed up. We’re still getting used to each other, but we’re growing together more and more with each practice. We’re getting used to each other, and bonding.”

If chemistry and cohesion are the key linking actions for any team, the two subgroups have found a way to click.

“Brandin is a really good coach, and I think some of us felt that we had some coaches on the Devils that we didn’t respond to or like as much,” said Jackson Martin, a pitcher, infielder/outfielder. 

“I think Brandin has a better work ethic. I didn’t really know any of the guys from this team, but we have some other players from the Devils. We all wanted to come here. I think we’re all going to mesh really well. We’ve had some practices, and we’ve hung around together. I think we’re going to be a good team.”

Young players have a natural desire to compete, and have a chance to better themselves as prospects and learn how to win.

The Wolves provide the right ecosystem and foundation for the individual talent to flourish.

“They win games, and I wanted to win games, so I came here,” Fred Sackley said. The infielder liked the competitive camaraderie, and solidarity among the players.

It made the transition to a new program fluid and organic.

“It’s great to be able to play a game you’re good at, and be with all of your friends,” Sackley said. 

“It’s also kind of cool to get to know each other. We started out as rivals or enemies, and now we’re playing together and being friends on the same team.” 

Muniz is expanding rapidly the scope of the program.

Compared with last year he has scheduled an additional 30 games. The Wolves are set to play in 14 tournaments across the two different leagues. 

The players will have plenty of chances to optimize their opportunities and showcase what they are capable of doing.

“I have a high ceiling for my team every year, just because I want the kids to shoot for that goal,” Muniz said. “If we fall short, we still exceed where we thought we’d be. 

“Last year we were brand new in both leagues that we were in, and I think we battled a lot of these bigger programs that have been around for quite a while. It spoke volumes on the kids’ competitiveness, and wanting to make a statement.”

The centerfielder Jonny Burke is a returning standout. His speed and athleticism is a key component of the Wolves’ defensive prowess. He gets to a lot of balls most players are unable to reach.

Like a lot of the Wolves’ players, he got a taste of what is possible.

“I think the way we played last year is going to set us up for this year,” he said. “People saw how we played. Now everybody is going to want to be a part of it.

“We came together, and we played as a team. We held each other. I think we’re going to do this even better. Our goal is pretty direct and simple. We want to beat every team we play, and be one of the best teams in the state.”

With the expanded slate of games, pitching depth is going to be a key. Players like Michael Petrbok see chance and motive to show their appreciation and love of the game.

“I’m looking forward to the tournaments and stuff, and playing with all of the new kids,” Petrbok said. “I’m excited to see how our team looks.

“When I first started playing the game, I just thought it was the sport that really sparked my mind and was the thing to do. Now everybody wants to be a part of that.”

The shock of the new transported the Wolves into the higher echelons of the two leagues. Now they aim to be fixtures who set a new standard.

“We were in the top-24 teams in Illinois, I believe 16th,” Muniz said. “We did fairly well. I have a high ceiling for my team every year, just because I want the kids to shoot for that goal.

“The way I coach, the way we go into a game, is a little bit different than other organizations we play against. We’re going to continue to do that.

“I don’t really worry about the new trends or the way others are doing it. I coach in a way that works for me. This is what we’re teaching. We’ve got the right pieces, and exactly what we need. I’m really excited about going forward.”

Meet the 2025 13U Illinois Wolves:

Not Pictured is #10 Spencer Marnell

The Illinois Wolves Have high expectations with no ceiling in 2025 as they reloaded with quality additions mixed in with season veterans. They open their season early on March 18 In Lisle. Many victories are in the Queue for this team!