Archive | July, 2014

Dinger Delivers Historic Performance in Game 5, Cookies & Cream Advance to Wiffle Series

29 Jul

Cookies & Cream beat the Ham Slams 5-0 in the pivotal fifth game of their first-round series, thanks in large part to Dinger, who delivered one of the best performances in a series-deciding game in EWL history. He pitched a complete game two-hit shutout while also going 4-for-4 with a home run and 3 runs scored.

Dinger came into the game 0-2 in the series and was the losing pitcher in games 2 and 4 despite turning in strong outings in both games. With Guthrie out for game 5, Dinger would return to the mound for the third time in the series.

The game’s first batter, Anthony, ripped a line drive off the fence. However, Vassallo fielded the ball quickly, gunned the ball to the mound, and Cookies & Cream were able to catch him in between bases trying to extend the single into a double for the first out. Dinger then retired Steve, and the game was scoreless after the top of the first.

Charlie started on the mound for the Ham Slams for the fifth consecutive game, and Cookies & Cream would get on the board quickly in the bottom of the first. Joey was retired for the first out of the inning, but with one out, Blose crushed a long solo homer to left-center, making the score 1-0. Charlie then retired Vassallo to end the inning.

Jamie led off the top of the second for the Slams, making his first appearance of the 2014 season in a designated hitter role. Dinger retired him, and then retired Riley to end the inning.

Dinger doubled to lead off the bottom of the second, and after Joey flew out for the first out of the inning, Blose followed with an RBI double, scoring Dinger to make the score 2-0. Charlie avoided further damage after allowing the run, retiring Vassallo to end the inning.

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

Up 2-0, Dinger provided his own run support in the bottom of the third. He led off the inning with a solo homer to center, putting Cookies & Cream ahead 3-0. Charlie retired the next two batters to end the inning.

The Ham Slams continued to struggle at the plate in the top of the fourth, as Jamie went down on strikes, followed by Riley grounding out to center.

Cookies & Cream would add two more runs to their total in the bottom of the fourth. Vassallo flew out for the first out of the inning, but Dinger followed with a single. The next batter, Joey, hit a two-run homer to left, extending the Cookies lead to 5-0. Charlie retired Blose for the second out of the inning, but the Slams trailed by five runs late in the game.

Dinger retired Anthony for the first out in the top of the fifth, and Steve followed with a single, only the second Ham Slams hit of the game. But the Slams couldn’t rally, as Dinger retired the next batter, Jamie, stranding the runner and maintaining the five-run lead.

Charlie pitched his first scoreless inning of the game in the bottom of the fifth. Vassallo flew out to start the inning, and after Dinger hit a one-out single, Joey was retired to end the inning.

Trailing 5-0 and down to their final at-bat of the season, the Ham Slams needed a miracle to stun Cookies & Cream and force extra innings. The miracle didn’t come, as Dinger continued to retired Ham Slams hitters. Riley and Anthony were retired in order, ending the game and giving Cookies & Cream a 5-0 game 5 victory.

The win advanced Cookies & Cream, the defending EWL Champions, to the Wiffle Series for the second consecutive season. They will await the winner of the Questionable Outfit/Eastbound & Dahn series which Questionable leads 2-1. The Ham Slams fell in the first round for the third consecutive year. The Slams lost in 5 games to the Fish Sticks in 2012 and were swept by Questionable Outfit in 2013.

For the first time in the four year history of the Ellsworth Wiffleball League, the field was turned upside down and the game was played in an alternative direction on the wiffle diamond. Construction equipment blocked the standard center field fence, so the field was turned sideways and the game was played toward a different side of the fence. The new field had similar dimension to the left and right field foul poles, but there were a few differences, primarily a deeper centerfield, a more spacious outfield, and no tree in left field. Both teams seemed out of place at first on the new field, but they also adapted quickly to the new conditions, and the field was well received by all parties. It was looked upon so favorably that the league may adopt the secondary field for regular use in upcoming seasons.

W: Dinger (1-2)
L: Charlie (1-3)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Dinger pitched the complete game shutout for Cookies & Cream in a historically dominant playoff performance. He allowed only 2 hits while striking out one in 6 innings.
– Charlie took the loss for the Ham Slams, allowing 5 earned runs on 7 hits in 5 innings.
– Dinger led Cookies & Cream at the plate, going 4-for-4 with 2 singles, a double, a home run, 3 runs scored, and one RBI.
– Blose and Joey also homered for Cookies & Cream.

More of the Mayor

24 Jul

Some more photos have surfaced of Mayor Bill Peduto’s legendary appearance at the wiffle diamond this past Tuesday night.

The Mayor addresses the league after tossing the first pitch.

The Mayor addresses the league after tossing the first pitch.

The Mayor battles Darth Vader with a wiffleball bat. Light sabers are no match for the wiffle stick.

The Mayor battles Darth Vader with a wiffleball bat. Light sabers are no match for the wiffle stick.

The legendary first pitch

The legendary first pitch

Anthony Carries Ham Slams Past Cookies & Cream 4-3 to Force Decisive Game 5 Matchup

24 Jul
The Ham Slams escaped with a narrow win to force game 5 in their best-of-five series with Cookies & Cream

The Ham Slams escaped with a narrow win to force game 5 in their best-of-five series with Cookies & Cream

Anthony went 3-for-4 including a triple and two homers, along with all 4 Ham Slams RBI, to carry the Slams past Cookies & Cream 4-3 and force a pivotal game 5 matchup to determine who will advance to the 2014 Wiffle Series.

Down 2-1 in the best-of-five series, the Ham Slams continued to roll with their ace, Charlie, on the mound. Their stars, Anthony and Steve, were in the lineup along with Riley, who had made a handful of appearances for the Slams throughout the 2013 and 2014 regular seasons.

Charlie gave up a single to Guthrie to lead off the top of the first, but he retired the next two batters, standing the runner and ending the inning.

Due to a scheduling conflict, Cookies & Cream entered the game without their best player and MVP candidate, Blose. Dinger, who pitched a great game despite taking the loss in game 2, started on the mound.

The Ham Slams first batter, Anthony, tripled off the fence to lead off the game. The next batter, Steve, hit a towering fly ball to center field. Joey caught it for the out and relayed the ball to the mound to attempt to retire Anthony, who had tagged up in an effort to score a run on a sacrifice fly. Anthony crossed home before the throw made it to the mound, but the umpires and attending players ruled that he had left third early prior to the ball being caught, and he was called out for the second out of the inning.

Dinger led off the top of the second with a single, and after Charlie retired Guthrie, Vassallo singled to put runners on first and second with one out. Cookies & Cream couldn’t capitalize, however, as Charlie got Joey to fly out to deep center for the second out of the inning, once again stranding both runners.

The Ham Slams would open up a lead in the bottom of the second. Charlie led off the inning with a single to left, and he moved to second when Riley followed with a single. With no outs and two men on base, Anthony crushed a towering home run to left-center. The three-run homer put the Ham Slams ahead 3-0. Dinger would retire the next two batters, but the damage had been done.

Riley singled and scored on an Anthony homer in the third

Riley singled and scored on an Anthony homer in the third

Dinger led off the top of the third with a single, but Charlie continue to strand Cookies & Cream runners, sending Guthrie and Vassallo down in order to end the inning.

Riley was retired to start the bottom of the third, but Anthony followed with a solo shot to center, his second homer in as many at-bats. Dinger retired Steve for the second out, and the Ham Slams were up 4-0 and halfway to a game 4 win.

Anthony led the Ham Slams with three hits and drove in all of the Ham Slams runs

Anthony led the Ham Slams with three hits and drove in all of the Ham Slams runs

Charlie continued to roll in the top of the fourth, retiring the side in order to maintain the four run lead.

Charlie had his best start of the postseason, allowing only 3 earned runs

Charlie had his best start of the postseason, allowing only 3 earned runs

Dinger pitched his first perfect inning in the bottom of the fourth, retiring Charlie and Riley consecutively.

Down 4-0, Cookies & Cream would cut into the Ham Slams lead in the top of the fifth. Guthrie led off the inning with a single and moved from first to third when Vassallo followed with a single. With no outs and runners on first and third, Joey hit another deep fly to center. Guthrie tagged up and scored on the play, and the sacrifice fly made the score 4-1. Dinger then came to the plate and hit a two-run homer to right field, and the score was 4-3. Charlie retired the next batter, Guthrie, to end the inning, but the Slams lead had been cut from four runs to one.

Dinger pitched well and had 3 hits, including a two-run homer, but Cookies & Cream came up short

Dinger pitched well and had 3 hits, including a two-run homer, but Cookies & Cream came up short

Dinger cruised through the bottom of the fifth, retiring the Slams two most potent hitters, Anthony, for the first time this game, and Steve.

Down to their final at-bat and needing a run to to extend the game, Cookies & Cream couldn’t muster any offense in the top of the sixth. Charlie remained in the game, and he retired Vassallo and Joey in order to end the game.

The 4-3 win saved the Ham Slams season and tied the first round series at 2-2. The deciding game of the best-of-five series will be played Thursday, July 24th at the wiffle diamond.

W: Charlie (1-2)
L: Dinger (0-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Charlie pitched the complete game win for the Ham Slams. He scattered 7 hits, stranding Cookes & Cream runners while allowing only 3 runs in 6 innings pitched.
– Dinger took the complete game loss for Cookies & Cream, giving up 4 earned runs on 5 hits in 5 innings pitched.
– Anthony led the Slams at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a triple, two home runs, two runs scored, and 4 RBI.
– Charlie and Riley also singled and scored runs for the Ham Slams.
– Dinger led Cookies & Cream at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two singles, a home run, a run scored, and 2 RBI.
– Vassallo and Guthrie each hit two singles for Cookies & Cream.

Mayor Peduto Honored as Wiffle Ambassador, Throws First Pitch

23 Jul
Mayor Peduto, fans, and superstars of the EWL

Mayor Peduto, fans, and superstars of the EWL

It was a historic night for the Ellsworth Wiffleball League, as Mayor Bill Peduto returned to his old stomping grounds for an appearance prior to the first round playoff action Tuesday night.

The EWL superstars cheered as Pittsburgh’s 60th Mayor strolled into the wiffle diamond and greeted players and fans alike. The Mayor accepted a plaque designating him as a Wiffle Ambassador before posing for several photos with the league. As a Wiffle Ambassador, Mayor Peduto will be charged with “promoting the great past time of wiffleball, testifying to the majesty of the game, representing the wiffle spirit, and exemplifying true wiffleosity.” After accepting the honor, the Mayor then took the mound for a ceremonial first pitch. He stomped in, wound up, and delivered a sinking left-handed wiffle curve across the plate for what appeared to be a strike. The crowd erupted, and the mayor shook hands with the EWL Commissioner before speaking briefly with the league about what they do for a living, where they live, and the history of the league. The Mayor explained that years ago he often played dek hockey on the same grounds which now host the Ellsworth wiffle diamond.

The Mayor delivers the ceremonial first pitch prior to Tuesday's playoff game.

The Mayor delivers the ceremonial first pitch prior to Tuesday’s playoff game.

The EWL would like to thank the Mayor for making an appearance and would also like to thank his office for coordinating the event.

Mayor Peduto accepts Wiffle Ambassadorship while holding the official EWL game ball

Mayor Peduto accepts Wiffle Ambassadorship while holding the official EWL game ball

Due to a previously scheduled Boys & Girls Club event at the wiffle diamond, only one playoff game was completed Tuesday night. The Ham Slams held on for a dramatic 4-3 win over Cookies & Cream, forcing a pivotal and deciding game 5 which will be played Thursday night. With the series tied at 2-2, the winner will move on the Wiffle Series.

Meanwhile, Eastbound & Dahn and Questionable Outfit will settle their series next week to determine who will advance to the championship round. Questionable Outfit is up 2-1 in the series, and Eastbound & Dahn will have to win two consecutive games to pull off the first round upset.

Stay tuned for photos and a recap of the Ham Slams/Cookies & Cream game 4 matchup.

Mayor Peduto Slated to Throw First Pitch

21 Jul

The 60th Mayor of Pittsburgh will throw the first pitch during tomorrow’s first round playoff matchups.

History will be made at the wiffle diamond in Shadyside tomorrow, as Bill Peduto, the Mayor of Pittsburgh, will be in attendance to throw out the first pitch prior to the start of the regularly scheduled playoff games. The Mayor plans to unleash his “mean, left-handed wiffle curve” as the stars of the Ellsworth Wiffleball League look on. Fans and former EWL players are invited to attend what will go down as one of the most important wiffle events in wiffle history.

Questionable Outfit holds a 2-1 series lead in the best-of-five wiffle series against Eastbound & Dahn. The strong favorites to win the title heading into the playoffs, Questionable looks to advance to the Wiffle Series for the second consecutive year. Eastbound & Dahn stunned Questionable Outfit in the opener of the series, and they hope to win two straight games to pull off the greatest upset the league has seen to date.

Cookies & Cream are ahead of the Ham Slams 2-1 in their best-of-five first round matchup. The series has went back and forth with Cookies & Cream winning games 1 and 3 easily and the Ham Slams controlling the scoring in game 2. Cookies & Cream are the defending champions of the EWL and will attempt to become the first repeat champions, while the Ham Slams hope to advance past the first round for the first time in franchise history.

Wiffle action starts at 6:30PM sharp and will go until approximately 8:30PM.