Archive | July, 2012

Joey, Commissioner of the EWL, Named Winner of Inaugural EWL Wiffleosity Award

31 Jul
2012 EWL Wiffleosity Award Winner Joey Troupe

2012 EWL Wiffleosity Award Winner Joey Troupe

Joey, player and manager for the Fish Sticks and the commissioner of the EWL, has been voted the first ever winner of the EWL Wiffleosity Award. The award was created to recognize those who exemplify the traits of a wiffleballer such as effort, sportsmanship, gamesmanship, and leadership and for those who are ambassadors for the EWL and wiffleball in general.

Joey founded the EWL in 2011 after feeling a deep desire to return to his wiffle roots. Joey created the AWBL (Albion Wiffleball League) in 2000 in Punxsutawney, PA and wanted to relive the wiffle glory that he felt as a young man by creating the EWL. The AWBL lasted for several years before folding. It is memoralized at http://www.angelfire.com/pa5/awbl2k3/

Joey was voted by the players of the EWL to receive the Wiffleosity award.

Morrison, of the Caucasians, was second in voting and was the only player to approach Joey in votes. Morrison, the unofficial deputy commissioner of the EWL, is not only an amazingly talented wiffle ball player, but also a key cog to the wheels that make the EWL turn. He is often found umpiring, keeping score, and contributing wiffle banter such as wiffle heckles from the sidelines when he is not playing. He helped to set up the wiffle diamond on multiple occasions throughout the 2012 season.

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Guthrie of the Caucasians Named 2012 EWL Wiffle Manager of the Year

29 Jul
2012 EWL Wiffle Manager of the Year Mark Guthrie

2012 EWL Wiffle Manager of the Year Mark Guthrie

Guthrie, manager of the regular season pennant winning Caucasians, has been named the 2012 EWL Wiffle Manager of the Year. In a narrow vote, Guthrie was voted by the players and commissioner of the EWL as the league’s top manager for 2012.

Guthrie led the Caucasians to a 14-6 regular season record, which was good enough to earn the #1 seed in the EWL playoffs. The Caucasians’ 14 wins was three more than any other team in the league. The Caucasians were 10-1 at home, scored the second most runs, and allowed the fewest runs by far during the 2012 regular season. The Caucasians were 6-4 in the first half, but 8-2 in the second half including winning last 7 regular season games. Despite being in second place in the standings for the majority of the regular season, the Caucasians’ winning streak propelled them past the Fish Sticks as they claimed the pennant for the second consecutive year.

Guthrie’s roster was similar to his 2011 team, but seamlessly utilized free-agent addition Ron, who was claimed from 4 out of 5 Dentists, and developed a strong team chemistry that improved throughout the season. Guthrie made great efforts to put 4 players on the field, and despite missing Frosty, a key cog in the Caucasian machine, for much of the season, his squad fired on all cylinders regardless of who played. He put his players in the best position to succeed individually and as a team, and the standings and statistics showed. Aside from Guthrie himself, all members of the Caucasian roster experienced career seasons in 2012. Guthrie displayed everything that would be expected from an EWL manager as he put together a strong team, played hard himself, inspired his teammates, and was an ambassador to the league by recruiting fans and taking photos. This could easily have been Guthrie’s second consecutive wiffle manager of the year award, as he finished second in manager of the year voting in 2011 by a very narrow margin. Ron, his current teammate and former captain of 4 out of 5 Dentists, was the 2011 wiffle manager of the year.

Evan, manager of the Ham Slams, finished second in voting. He led the EWL’s newest franchise to the #3 seed in the playoffs. He managed the league’s largest roster, as over 10 players suited up for the Ham Slams. He made a great effort to consistently put a full roster of solid players on the field, and he should be commended for what he brought to the EWL in 2012.

Guthrie will be presented with the 2012 EWL Wiffle Manager of the Year Award at the start of the 2012 Wiffle Series.

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Alec’s 8th Inning 2-Run Homer Helps Ham Slams Even Series

29 Jul
The Ham Slams celebrate at home after Alec's 2-run homer in the top of the eighth put them ahead 3-1

The Ham Slams celebrate at home after Alec’s 2-run homer in the top of the eighth put them ahead 3-1

After struggling at the plate all game, Alec took Joey deep for a 2-run homer in the top of the 8th inning, putting the Ham Slams ahead for good 3-1 to even the best-of-five series with the Fish Sticks at one game apiece.

Joey, who had a disappointing season pitching for the Fish Sticks, started game 2 on the mound. Things didn’t start well, as Anthony, the game’s first batter, crushed a solo homer to left-center, putting the Ham Slams ahead 1-0 early. Joey struck out the next batter, Alec, and after Charlie singled with one out, Steve was retired to end the inning.

Steve started for the Ham Slams, and pitched one of the best games of his EWL career. He retired Ivan to start the game, and after Joey singled with one out, Dinger was retired for the second out of the inning, stranding the runner at first.

Joey started to pitch well in the top of the second, retiring Anthony and Alec in order in the top of the second.

Steve cruised through the bottom of the second, retiring Blose and Vassallo in order.

The pitcher’s duel continued in the top of the third. Charlie flew out to center for the first out of the inning, and after Steve singled with one out, Anthony grounded out to left to end the inning.

Ivan flew out to lead off the bottom of the third. Joey doubled with one out, but Steve stranded him at second, getting Dinger to fly out to left for the second out of the inning.

Joey continued to roll in the top of the fourth, sending down Alec and Charlie in order for a scoreless inning.

With the score 1-0, the Fish Sticks would even things up in the bottom of the fourth. Blose grounded out to left for the first out of the inning, but Vassallo followed with a towering fly to deep right-center field. The solo homer tied the game at 1-1. With one out, it looked like the Sticks were set to take the lead when Ivan singled, and Joey followed with a single putting runners on first and second with one out. But Steve got Dinger to ground out to the mound, stranding both runners and ending the inning.

The Sticks would maintain the tie in the top of the fifth, as Joey retired Steve and Anthony in order.

Blose led off the bottom of the fifth inning with a double, and the go-ahead runner was on second with no outs. But Steve buckled down, retiring Vassallo and Ivan by ground out in order, stranding the runner and maintaining the 1-1 tie.

Joey continued to retire Ham Slams in the top of the sixth, as Alec and Charlie were retired consecutively, each flying out to Ivan in right field.

The Sticks were one-run away from a 2-0 series lead, but couldn’t get a base-runner in the bottom of the sixth. Steve retired Joey and Dinger in order, ending the sixth and sending the game to extra innings.

Joey stated on the mound for the Sticks in the top of the seventh, and he continued to pitch well. He retired Steve, and Craig, who was inserted into the lineup, to end the inning.

The Ham Slams also kept their starting pitcher on the mound, and Steve continued to roll. Blose grounded out to left for the first out of the inning, and after a Vassallo single with one out, Ivan grounded out to center for the second out of the inning, stranding the runner at first.

The game headed to the eighth inning, the last inning that either starting pitcher would be available due to the 8 inning pitching limit. Anthony led off the inning with a single, the first hit for a Ham Slam since the third inning. Alec, who was 0-4 with a strikeout at that point, came to the plate and crushed a two-run home run to right field, putting the Ham Slams up 3-1. Joey avoided any further damage, retiring Charlie and Steve to end the inning.

Down two runs, the Sticks would need to respond to extend the game. Joey flew out to the mound for the first out of the inning, and down to their final batter, Steve fanned Dinger to end the inning and the game.

Steve and the Ham Slams had outlasted the Fish Sticks 3-1 in a marathon defensive struggle, and had tied the series at 1-1 with the Ham Slams heading home for games 3 and 4.

W: Steve (1-0)
L: Joey (0-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Steve pitched the complete game win for the Ham Slams, scattering 7 hits and giving up only 1 ER in 8 innings.
– Anthony led the Ham Slams offensively, going 2 for 5 with a single, a homer, an RBI, and 2 runs scored. Alec went 1 for 5, but his 2-run homer in the top of the 8th won the game for the Ham Slams.
– Vassallo led the Fish Sticks at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a single, a homer, and their only RBI and run scored. Joey also went 3 for 5 with 2 singles and a double.

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Les Carries Caucasians to Come-From-Behind Win as Caucasians Take 2-0 Series Lead

29 Jul
Les pitched a gem and went 4 for 4 at the plate as he carried the Caucasians to a 3-2 comeback win

Les pitched a gem and went 4 for 4 at the plate as he carried the Caucasians to a 3-2 comeback win

The Caucasians trailed most of the game, but prevailed late as Les pitched well and had the game-winning RBI in a 3-2 win over Bobby Brown in game 2 of their best-of-five series.

After getting destroyed in game 1, Bobby Brown had a much stronger defensive performance in game 2 against the Caucasians. Les started on the mound against Bobby Brown, and fell behind early. After retiring Mark to start the game, Brad blasted a solo shot to deep left field, putting Bobby Brown up 1-0 early. Les retired Cody to end the inning with a one-run deficit.

Brad's solo bomb in the top of the first put Bobby Brown up 1-0 early

Brad’s solo bomb in the top of the first put Bobby Brown up 1-0 early

Morrison led off the bottom of the first with a double, and moved to third when Ron grounded out to left for the first out of the inning. With one out and a runner on third, Guthrie singled, scoring Morrison and tying the game at 1-1. Les followed with a single, putting runners on first and second with one out, and it looked like the Caucasians were about to repeat their huge first inning in game 1. But Mark, Bobby Brown’s starting pitcher, got out of the jam, retiring the red-hot Morrison to end the first and strand both runners.

Les retired Holly to lead off the top of the second, and after Mark singled with one out, Brad flew out to center for the second out of the inning.

Mark had a much easier second inning, retiring Ron and Guthrie in order for a scoreless frame.

Cody grounded out to left for the first out in the top of the third, and following a Holly single, Mark was retired to end the inning.

Les singled to lead off the bottom of the third, but Mark stranded him at first, retiring Morrison and Ron in order.

Brad grounded out to center for the first out of the top of the fourth, but Bobby Brown would take the lead when Cody hit a solo bomb to center field, making the score 2-1. Les retired Holly to end the inning and minimize the damage.

Cody went deep in the top of the fourth, putting Bobby Brown ahead 2-1

Cody went deep in the top of the fourth, putting Bobby Brown ahead 2-1

As they did in the bottom of the first, the Caucasians immediately responded in the bottom of the fourth. Mark retired Guthrie to start the inning, but Les followed with a solo blast to center, tying the game at 2-2. Morrison followed with a single, but fell down in between first and second trying to extend the hit into a double, and was retired for the second out of the inning.

With the game tied at 2-2, Bobby Brown couldn’t regain the lead in the top of the fifth. Les cruised through the inning, retiring Mark and Brad in order.

Ron led off the bottom of the fifth by flying out to Mark at the mound, and Bobby Brown was an out away from heading into the final frame with the game tied. But the Caucasians, as they have all season, responded when it mattered most. Guthrie singled with one out, and Les followed with a double off the fence. Guthrie raced from first to home to score, putting the Caucasians ahead for the first time in the game 3-2. Morrison followed with a single, putting runners at first and third with one out. But Mark avoided a big inning, getting Ron to ground out to left for the second out of the inning, stranding both runners.

Guthrie singled to lead off the bottom of the fifth and scored when the next batter, Les, hit an RBI double off the fence

Guthrie singled to lead off the bottom of the fifth and scored when the next batter, Les, hit an RBI double off the fence

Down 3-2, Bobby Brown was down to their final at-bat. Cody led off the inning by grounding out to Morrison in left for the first out, but Holly followed with a one-out single. With the tying run at first, Mark doubled, pushing Holly to third and putting runners on second and third. With out one, the tying run on third and the go-ahead run on second, Brad came to the plate. But Les locked down and got Brad to ground out to Morrison in left, stranding both runners to end the inning and the game.

The 3-2 put the Caucasians up 2-0 over Downtown Bobby Brown in their best-of-five series, and putting the Caucasians one win away from returning to the Wiffle Series for the second consecutive season.

W: Les (1-0)
L: Mark (0-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Les led the Caucasians, going 4 for 4 in the game with 2 singles, a double, a homer, and 2 RBI. He also pitched the complete game win, giving up 2 ER while scattering 6 hits.

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Dinger Blanks Ham Slams in Game 1 as Fish Sticks Win 9-0

29 Jul
Dinger turned in his best pitching outing of the season, throwing a shutout in Game 1

Dinger turned in his best pitching outing of the season, throwing a shutout in Game 1

Dinger delivered what may have been the best pitching performance of the 2012 season in game 1 of the Fish Sticks first round series against the Ham Slams, providing a complete game victory while giving up only 3 hits and no runs.

The Fish Sticks, who were the #2 seed in 2011, narrowly outlasted the now defunct 4 out of 5 Dentists in the first round of the 2011 playoffs en route to their championship win in the Wiffle Series. After losing the #1 seed late in the regular season this year, they would be matched up against the EWL’s newest franchise, the Ham Slams, who clinched the #3 seed.

Dinger started on the mound for the Sticks and cruised through the top of the first.

Alec, one of the EWL’s brightest young stars on the mound, started for the Slams. He gave up a single to Ivan to start the inning. Joey flew out for the first out, but Dinger followed with a single. Ivan, who was on second, attempted to go from first to third but was caught in between bases for the second out of the inning, and the score remained 0-0.

After Alec grounded out to left for the first out of the top of the second, Charlie singled. Anthony followed with a single, but was caught in between bases for the second out of the inning.

The Fish Sticks broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the second. Blose, last year’s MVP and playoff hero for the Fish Sticks, hit a solo homer to lead off the inning, making the score 1-0. Vassallo grounded out to left for the first out of the inning, but Ivan followed with a solo homer of his own, and the score was 2-0. Joey was retired for the second out of the inning, and the Ham Slams were down two runs.

The Fish Sticks struck first when Blose hit a solo home run in the bottom of the second

The Fish Sticks struck first when Blose hit a solo home run in the bottom of the second

Dinger continued to roll in the top of the third, retiring the Ham Slams in order.

The Sticks opened up the game in the bottom of the third. Dinger led off with a single, and moved to second when Blose also singled. Vassallo grounded out to center for the first out of the inning, but the runners moved to second and third. With one out and two runners in scoring position, Ivan singled, scoring Dinger from third and making the score 3-0.

Ivan, who went 3 for 4, drove in Dinger from third with an RBI single in the third inning

Ivan, who went 3 for 4, drove in Dinger from third with an RBI single in the third inning

With runners on the corners and one out, Joey hit a 3-run homer to left-center, pushing the Sticks lead to 6-0. Dinger and Blose each followed with singles, their second singles in the inning, and Vassallo followed with a 3-run bomb, the second 3-run homer for the Fish Sticks in the inning, and the score was 9-0. Alec retired Ivan to end the third, but the damage was done.

The Sticks celebrate at home after Joey's 3-run homer put them up 6-0

The Sticks celebrate at home after Joey’s 3-run homer put them up 6-0

Dinger had all of the run support that he would need. He retired Charlie and Anthony in order in the top of the fourth.

After getting hit hard early, Alec got into a groove in the bottom of the fourth, sending down Joey and Dinger consecutively for a scoreless inning.

The Slams couldn’t rally in the top of the fifth. Dinger continued to mow down hitters, sending Steve and Alec down in order.

The Sticks wouldn’t add to their lead in the bottom of the fifth, as Alec retired Blose and Vassallo to end the inning.

With a 9-run lead, Dinger shut the door in the top of the sixth. Anthony doubled with one out after Charlie grounded out to left for the first out of the inning, but Dinger stranded him at second, getting Steve to fly out to left to end the inning and the game.

The win put the Sticks up 1-0 in the best of five series.

W: Dinger (1-0)
L: Alec (0-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Dinger pitched the complete game shutout, giving up only three hits.
– Four of the five Fish Sticks homered, as all but Dinger went yard. Dinger went 3 for 4 at the plate with 3 singles and 2 runs scored.
– Anthony was the only Ham Slam with multiple hits, going 2 for 4 with a single and a double.

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