Tag Archives: 2014

Questionable Outfit Cement Legacy with 2014 EWL Wiffle Series Title

13 Aug
Reilly, Tom, Bob, and Morrison combined to make Questionable Outfit an all-time great wiffleball team

Reilly, Tom, Bob, and Morrison combined to make Questionable Outfit an all-time great wiffleball team

Nothing tastes sweeter than a warm 40 oz. Pabst, except maybe victory, which Questionable Outfit finally enjoyed after clinching the Wiffle Series Championship in five games in their best-of-seven series with Cookies & Cream.

The story of the 2014 EWL season will be how Questionable Outfit went tape-to-tape as the heavy favorites, and not only lived up to the hype, but exceeded expectations by dominating the regular season and the playoffs en route to a championship.

2013 EWL Wiffler of the Year Bob swigs from the Pabst Blue Ribbon Championship Trophy

2013 EWL Wiffler of the Year Bob swigs from the Pabst Blue Ribbon Championship Trophy

Questionable lost MVP candidate and All-EWL player Mike in the offseason, but they added one of the greatest players in wiffleball history, Morrison, to replace him. The team looked unstoppable on paper, and they pretty much were on the diamond. They fielded as good as any team in the league, rarely making an error and limiting opponents from putting together big innings. On offense they did just the opposite, crushing the wiffleball all over the diamond for extra-base hits, making smart base-running decisions, and stringing together home runs in a historic fashion.

Bob had an even better season in 2014 than his 2013 Wiffler of the Year campaign, shattering multiple single-season records. He will surely be named to a second consecutive All-EWL team and is a strong Wiffler of the Year candidate, and if he wins, will become the first player in league history to win the award twice (let along in consecutive years).

Bob has joined Morrison as one of the greatest players to ever grace the wiffle diamond

Bob has joined Morrison as one of the greatest players to ever grace the wiffle diamond

Reilly became a devastating hitter at the plate in addition to ascending to one of the best pitchers in the league. He is a favorite for Pitch King, a candidate for Wiffler of the Year, and is a strong contender to make the All-EWL team.

Tom continued to field as good as anyone in the EWL, and his power and speed on offense rival any other player when he is hot. He is hoping to make the All-EWL team for a second consecutive season, and is in the running for Field Master.

And Morrison, the cagey veteran of wiffleball lore, had another banner year despite missing time for marriage, and won yet another batting title. He is hoping to become the only player in EWL history to make all four All-EWL teams.

Morrison has tasted the Pabst for three consecutive seasons, winning titles with Questionable Outfit ('14), Cookies & Cream ('13), and the Caucasians ('12)

Morrison has tasted the Pabst for three consecutive seasons, winning titles with Questionable Outfit (’14), Cookies & Cream (’13), and the Caucasians (’12)

The original three members of Questionable Outfit had the drive to avenge their disappointing finish in 2013, and Morrison had the championship experience to take them to the promised land. It was an explosive combination, and their lineup, one through four, had no weak spots.

Questionable Outfit didn’t break every individual or team record in 2014, but they stand at the top of the heap with the best teams in league history.

Time will tell if Mike will return in 2015, if Morrison will move on to the fourth team in his career, and if the other teams will farm enough talent to give them a run, but Questionable Outfit will by all accounts enter next season as the favorites to repeat as champions.

Morrison Leads Questionable Outfit to Brink of Title with 8-4 Game 4 Victory

11 Aug
Reilly went 3-for-5 in game 4 with a double and an RBI

Reilly went 3-for-5 in game 4 with a double and an RBI

Riding Morrison’s big bat, Questionable Outfit took a commanding 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven Wiffle Series matchup with Cookies & Cream, and sit one game away from winning the title after beating their rivals 8-4 in game 4. Morrison set the place for Questionable, going 4-for-6 with a double, 3 home runs, 4 runs scored, and 4 RBI in a game that was never in question.

Guthrie, who had missed games one, two and three, started on the mound for Cookies & Cream in game 4. He had had modest success against Questionable Outfit throughout the year, but he was hit hard early in this outing. He retired the game’s first batter, Tom, before giving up a one-out double to Bob. The next batter, Morrison, doubled off the fence to score Bob and put Questionable ahead 1-0. Reilly followed with another double, scoring Morrison to make the score 2-0. Guthrie then retired Tom for the second out of the inning, and Cookies trailed by two runs early.

Blose stretches in attempt to make a catch, but the ball went off the fence for a double

Blose stretches in attempt to make a catch, but the ball went off the fence for a double

Questionable Outfit selected Bob as their game 4 starting pitcher, and he was coming off a narrow defeat in a decent game 2 outing. He gave up a one-out single to Dinger in the bottom of the first, but stranded him, maintaining the 2-0 lead.

Questionable would add to their lead in the top of the second. Guthrie retired Bob to start the inning, but the next batter, Morrison, crushed a solo shot to left, putting his squad ahead 3-0. Reilly followed with a single, and Tom drove him in with a towering two-run bomb to left. Guthrie would retire Morrison after Bob hit a one-out single, but Questionable Outfit had opened up a 5-0 lead.

Joey led off the bottom of the third with a triple, but Cookies & Cream couldn’t capitalize, as Bob retired the next two batters to strand the runner, and the score remained 5-0.

Joey rounds second on his way to a triple

Joey rounds second on his way to a triple in the bottom of the third

Reilly singled to lead off the top of the third, but Guthrie was able to pitch his first scoreless inning, retiring the next two batters to strand the runner.

Bob cruised through the bottom of the third, retiring the side in order.

Morrison continued to swing a hot bat in the top of the fourth, leading off the inning with a solo shot, his second of the game. Guthrie would send down the next two hitters, but Questionable had pulled ahead 6-0.

Bob retired Joey for the first out in the bottom of the fourth, but Cookies & Cream would finally get on the board with one out. Vassallo came to the plate and crushed a solo bomb to left, making the score 6-1. Cookies couldn’t rally though, as Bob retired the next batter to end the inning.

Vassallo went deep, but it was too little too late for Cookies & Cream

Vassallo went deep, but it was too little too late for Cookies & Cream

It wouldn’t take long for Questionable to extend the lead back to six runs. With one out in the top of the fifth, Morrison hit another solo homer, his third of the game, making the score 7-1. Guthrie wouldn’t allow any other runs in the inning, but Cookies once again trailed by six.

Guthrie was hit hard in game 4, allowing 8 runs on 11 hits in the complete game loss

Guthrie was hit hard in game 4, allowing 8 runs on 11 hits in the complete game loss

Cookies & Cream got a small rally started in the bottom of the fifth. Dinger led off the inning with a solo homer, cutting the deficit to 7-2. The next batter, Blose, also went deep, and the back-to-back homers made the score 7-3. Bob would retire the next two batters to end the inning, and the Questionable lead had been cut to four runs.

Questionable got one of the two runs back in the top of the sixth, when Tom led off the inning with a solo blast, his second homer of the game. Guthrie retired the next two batters, and Questionable would head into the bottom of the sixth with an 8-3 lead.

Bob earned a complete game victory in game 4, allowing 4 runs on 6 hits

Bob earned a complete game victory in game 4, allowing 4 runs on 6 hits

Down to their final two outs, Cookies & Cream would need a big comeback effort to avoid falling into a 3-1 hole in the Wiffle Series. Bob retired the first batter, Guthrie, but the next hitter, Dinger, launched a solo homer to left, his second of the game, making the score 8-4. But the rally ended there, as Bob got Blose to fly out to center for the second out of the inning, ending the game and giving Questionable Outfit a big game 3 win.

The win put Questionable Outfit ahead 3-1 in the Wiffle Series, only one win away from clinching their first title in franchise history.

W: Bob (3-1)
L: Guthrie (2-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Bob pitched the complete game win for Questionable Outfit, allowing 4 runs on 6 hits in 6 innings pitched.
– Guthrie took the loss for Cookies & Cream, giving up 8 runs on 11 hits in 6 innings.
– Morrison carried Questionable Outfit on offense, going 4-for-6 with a double, 3 homers, 4 runs scored, and 4 RBI.
– Tom also went 2-for-6 with 2 homers, 2 runs scored, and 3 RBI.
– Dinger led Cookies & Cream at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a single, 2 homers, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBI. He was the only Cookies & Cream player to collect more than one hit.

Questionable Outfit Narrowly Escape with 11-10 Win in Epic Game 3

10 Aug
Questionable Outfit celebrate at the plate after Morrison's home run in the top of the second inning

Questionable Outfit celebrate at the plate after Morrison’s home run in the top of the second inning

In one of the best games in the history of the EWL playoffs, Cookies & Cream made a remarkable comeback only to fall short as Questionable Outfit held on to take a 2-1 series lead with a dramatic 11-10 victory.

With the series tied at 1-1, Cookies & Cream were the home team and they send Dinger to the mound. After losing in game 1, he was hoping for a better performance in game 3, but he got into trouble early. The game’s first batter, Tom, went deep to left-center, and the solo homer put Questionable Outfit ahead 1-0. Dinger was able to rebound and retire the next two batters to end the inning and avoid a big early deficit.

Game 1 winner, Reilly, was Questionable Outfit’s starting pitcher for game 3. He cruised through the bottom of the first, retiring the side in order.

Things got worse for Dinger and Cookies & Cream in the top of the second, as Questionable opened up a sizable lead. Reilly was retired for the first out of the inning, but Questionable rallied with one out. Tom singled, and the next batter, Bob, crushed a two-run bomb to right, making the score 3-0. Morrison followed with a solo homer, and the back-to-back homers extended the lead to 4-0. Reilly was retired for the second out of the inning, but Cookies & Cream found themselves in a hole.

Cookies would put a small dent in the Questionable lead in the bottom of the second. Joey was retired for the first out of the inning, but Vassallo followed with a solo homer, cutting the score to 4-1. Reilly then retired Dinger to end the inning.

Vassallo homered twice in game 3

Vassallo homered twice in game 3

Questionable would blow the game open in the top of the third. Tom led off with a single, and for the second consecutive inning, Bob launched a two-run homer into deep right-center, extending the lead to 6-1. Morrison followed with a double off the fence, forcing Cookies to turn to the bullpen. They brought in Blose for a rare pitching appearance, and the first batter he faced, Reilly hit an RBI single that scored Morrison, making the score 7-1. Blose would retire the next two batters to end the inning, but Questionable had taken a six-run lead.

Morrison was a single short of hitting for the cycle, with a double, triple, home run, and 3 runs scored

Morrison was a single short of hitting for the cycle, with a double, triple, home run, and 3 runs scored

Reilly retired the side in order in the bottom of the third, and Questionable Outfit were in command of game 3.

After retiring Morrison to start the top of the fourth, Blose allowed a single to Reilly, followed by a double to Tom. Questionable had runners on second and third with one out, and it looked as if the game would get out of hand with Bob coming to the plate. But Blose was able to retire Bob, stranding both runners and escaping the inning without damage.

Down 7-1, Cookies & Cream showed signs of life in the bottom of the fourth. Vassallo led off the inning with a solo homer, his second of the game, making the score 7-2. Dinger followed with a single and moved to second when Blose grounded out for the first out of the inning. The next batter, Joey, crushed a two-run homer to left, and Cookies & Cream had narrowed the deficit to 7-4. Reilly ended the rally there, retiring Vassallo to end the inning.

Dinger went 3-for-6 with a single, 2 homers, 2 RBI and 3 runs scored

Dinger went 3-for-6 with a single, 2 homers, 2 RBI and 3 runs scored

After pulling within three runs, Cookies couldn’t hold Questionable Outfit in check, as they pulled back ahead in the top of the fifth. Morrison led off the inning with a triple and scored on a Reilly single to make the score 8-4. Two batters later, Bob crushed his third homer of the game, another two-run shot, making the score 10-4. Blose retired Morrison for the second out of the inning, but Cookies & Cream would once again trail by six runs.

Down 10-4, Cookies & Cream made things very interesting in the bottom of the fifth. Dinger led off the inning with a solo homer, making the score 10-5. Blose followed with a single, and the next batter, Joey, crushed his second homer of the game, and the two-run bomb cut the deficit to 10-7. After Reilly retired Vassallo, Dinger came to the plate and blasted his second homer of the inning, and the score was 10-8. Blose followed with a solo shot, and the back-to-back jacks pulled Cookies & Cream within a run. For the first time in the 2014 season, Questionable Outfit was forced to make a call to the bullpen with Reilly on the mound. Morrison was called in for relief, and the first batter he faced, Joey, hit yet another solo homer to deep left field, and Cookies & Cream had miraculously tied the game at 10-10. Morrison then retired Vassallo for the second out of the inning, but Cookies & Cream had scored six runs and homered five times in the inning to pull from six runs behind and tie the game heading into the final frame.

Joey went 3-for-5 in game 3 with 5 RBI, and he hit 3 home runs for the second consecutive game in the Wiffle Series

Joey went 3-for-5 in game 3 with 5 RBI, and he hit 3 home runs for the second consecutive game in the Wiffle Series

Blose remained on the mound for Cookies & Cream in the top of the sixth, and he retired the first batter of the inning, Reilly. The next batter, Tom, fouled off multiple pitches and looked frustrated at the plate. But like they have all year, Questionable Outfit got offense when they needed it, and Tom blasted a solo homer to deep center field, putting Questionable Outfit back on top 11-10. Bob followed with a single, but Blose retired Morrison to end the inning.

After coming back from a huge deficit to tie the game, Cookies once again found themselves trailing heading into their last at-bat. They started at the top of the order, and Morrison retired Dinger for the first out of the inning. Down to one out, one of the game’s most feared hitters, Blose, faced off against one of the game’s other most feared hitters, Morrison, who was pitching. Morrison won this battle getting Blose to fly out to the mound for the second out of the inning, ending the game, and giving Questionable Outfit the win.

Despite nearly blowing a massive lead, Questionable Outfit held on to win game 3, giving them a 2-1 series lead in the best-of-seven Wiffle Series.

W: Morrison (1-0)
L: Blose (0-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Blose took the loss for Cookies & Cream, allowing 5 earned runs on 9 hits in 4 innings of relief. Dinger also pitched 2 innings for Cookies, giving up 6 runs on 6 hits in 2 innings.
– Morrison got the win for Questionable Outfit, allowing one earned run on one hit in 1.5 innings of relief. Reilly allowed 9 earned runs on 9 hits in 4.5 innings before giving way to Morrison.
– Bob went 4-for-7 to lead the way for Questionable Outfit, hitting a single, 3 homers, scoring 3 runs, and driving in 6 runs.
– Morrison was a single shy of hitting for the cycle, going 3-for-7 with a double, triple, home run, 3 runs scored, and an RBI.
– Tom went 5-for-7 for Questionable Outfit, with 2 singles, a double, 2 homers, 4 runs scored, and 2 RBI.
– Reilly also contributed 3 hits for Questionable, all singles.
– Joey set the pace for Cookies & Cream at the plate, going 3-for-5 with 3 home runs, 3 runs scored, and 5 RBI.
– Dinger went 3-for-6 with a single, 2 home runs, 3 runs scored, and 2 RBI.
– Vassallo also went 2-for-5 with 2 home runs, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBI.

Cookies & Cream Rally Late Behind Joey and Vassallo to Take Game 2, Even Series

8 Aug
Joey went 3-for-4 with 3 home runs, 3 runs scored, and 3 RBI, and was also the winning pitcher for Cookies & Cream in game 2

Joey went 3-for-4 with 3 home runs, 3 runs scored, and 3 RBI, and was also the winning pitcher for Cookies & Cream in game 2

After falling behind early, Cookies & Cream avoided dropping into an 0-2 hole in the 2014 Wiffle Series with a late rally, beating Questionable Outfit 5-4 in game 2.

After swatting three home runs in game 1, Bob started on the mound for Questionable in game 2, and he got off to a good start. He retired the side in order, and Questionable got out their bats in the bottom of the first.

Cookies & Cream were without Guthrie, considered by many the best pitcher in league history, so they sent Joey to the hill for a rare start, and he struggled early. After retiring Tom for the first out of the inning, he starting giving up long balls. Bob crushed a solo homer the opposite way to left-center, putting Questionable ahead 1-0. Morrison followed with a line drive homer to center, and the next batter, Reilly, made it back-to-back-to-back jacks with a third consecutive Questionable home run. Joey got Tom to fly out to end the inning, but Questionable had opened up an early 3-0 lead.

Joey provided his own run support in the top of the second, when he led off the inning with a solo homer off Bob, cutting the score to 3-1. Bob retired the next two batters to avoid further damage.

Bob made up the run he lost immediately, crushing his second homer of the game to lead off the bottom of the second. Joey retired the next two batters, and Questionable led 4-1 through two innings.

Cookies & Cream started to chip away at the Questionable lead in the top of the third. Blose led off the inning with a solo homer to right, and Joey followed with his second home run of the game. The back-to-back homers cut the score to 4-3. Bob settled down and retired Vassallo and Dinger to end the inning, maintaining a one-run lead.

Blose rounds third and heads home after his second inning solo home run

Blose rounds third and heads home after his second inning solo home run

Joey pitched his first scoreless frame in the bottom of the third, retiring the side in order.

Blose led off the top of the fourth with a double, and moved to third on a Joey sacrifice fly, but Cookies & Cream couldn’t capitalize on the runner in scoring position. Bob got Vassallo to fly out to left to end the inning, stranding the runner.

Morrison led off the bottom of the fourth with a single, but Joey held him at first, retiring the next two batters.

Vassallo stretches for a ground ball in deep left field

Vassallo stretches for a ground ball in deep left field

Bob cruised through the top of the fifth, sending Dinger and Blose down consecutively, and the score remained 4-3.

Morrison would single again in the bottom of the fifth, this time with one out, but Questionable wouldn’t add to their lead, as Joey stranded the runner.

Down 4-3 and two outs away from falling behind 0-2 in the series, Cookies & Cream rallied in the top of the sixth. Joey led off the inning with a solo homer, his third of the game, tying the game at 4-4. The next batter, Vassallo, hit a bomb to deep left, and his first hit of the series gave Cookies & Cream a 5-4 lead. Blose would double later in the inning with one out, but Cookies couldn’t extend the lead. However, they had taken command of the game and were one inning away from tying the series.

Bob had two home runs in the game, and totaled 5 through the first two games of the Wiffle Series, but took the loss on the mound

Bob had two home runs in game 2, and totaled 5 through the first two games of the Wiffle Series, but took the loss on the mound

Joey remained in the game to close things out, and Questionable went quickly in the bottom of the sixth. Tom flew out to the mound, and Bob flew out to left, ending the inning and the game.

The 5-4 Cookies & Cream win tied the best-of-seven championship series at 1-1.

W: Joey (1-0)
L: Bob (2-1)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Joey pitched the complete game win for Cookies & Cream, 4 runs on 6 hits in 6 innings pitched.
– Bob took the loss for Questionable Outfit, giving up 5 runs on 7 hits in 6 innings.
– Joey led Cookies & cream at the plate, going 3-for-5 with 3 home runs, 3 runs scored, and 3 RBI.
– Blose also went 3-for-5 for Cookies with 2 doubles, a home run, a run scored, and one RBI.
– Bob led Questionable Outfit on offense, going 2-for-5 with 2 homers, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBI.
– Morrison also went 3-for-4 for Questionable with 2 singles, a home run, a run scored, and an RBI.

Bob Homers Three Times As Questionable Outfit Open Wiffle Series with Impressive Game 1 Victory

6 Aug
Bob had 3 homers and 5 RBI to lead Questionable Outfit's late surge past Cookies & Cream in the game 1 win

Bob had 3 homers and 5 RBI to lead Questionable Outfit’s late surge past Cookies & Cream in the game 1 win

Questionable Outfit were the betting favorites heading into their 2013 Wiffle Series matchup with Cookies & Cream after earning the #1 seed and cruising through the first round of the playoffs. However, they were shocked in a stunning four game sweep at the hands of Cookies & Cream, as Cookies celebrated their first title, drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon on the wiffle diamond in front of them.

Questionable have been on a mission all of 2014, hoping to redeem themselves and make up for the disappointing performance in the 2013 championship series. After sweeping Eastbound & Dahn in the first round, they watched Cookies & Cream narrowly escape the Ham Slams to force a rematch in the 2014 championship.

Questionable Outfit would once again enter the Wiffle Series as the heavy favorites. This year they added Morrison, a key cog for the 2013 Cookies & Cream team, while Cookies added Blose, the star of the 2011 and ’12 Fish Sticks’ teams. Cookies are looking to repeat as champions, while Questionable Outfit seek their first title and a spot in wiffleball history. The two best teams had once again earned their way to the final series, and Questionable Outfit would land the first blow in game 1.

Reilly, perhaps the best pitcher during the 2014 regular season, started on the mound for Questionable Outfit. Cookies & Cream would play without Guthrie, one of the best postseason performers in EWL history and the MVP of the 2012 and 2013 Wiffle Series.

Dinger led off the 2014 Wiffle Series with a bang, crushing a solo homer to left field, putting Cookies & Cream ahead 1-0 early. Reilly retired the next two batters to end the inning without allowing another run.

Dinger was named the starting pitcher for Cookies & Cream, and he breezed through the bottom of the first, retiring the side in order.

Reilly got back on track in the top of the second, pitching a scoreless inning. The score remained 1-0.

Questionable Outfit would even things up in the bottom of the second. Morrison led off the inning with a single, and he moved from first to third when Reilly followed with a single. Tom followed with a deep fly to center field, and Morrison tagged and scored to tie the game at 1-1. Dinger retired the next batter, Bob, to strand the runner and end the inning.

Cookies & Cream pulled back ahead in the top of the third. Blose led off the inning with a solo homer, making the score 2-1. Reilly then retired the next two batters to avoid further damage.

Morrison doubled to lead off the bottom of the third, but Dinger maintained the lead, retiring the next two hitters to strand the runner.

Cookies would add to their lead in the top of the fourth with another Blose homer. With one out, he crushed a solo shot to right-center, making the score 3-1. Cookies couldn’t extend their lead, as Reilly retired Joey to end the inning.

Blose went 2-for-4 with two solo homers in the Cookies & Cream loss

Blose went 2-for-4 with two solo homers in the Cookies & Cream loss

Down 3-1, Questionable had looked impotent halfway through the first game of the series. However, like they had all season, they found a way to explode for a big inning, and they would take the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Bob led off the inning with a solo homer, making the score 3-2. Morrison followed with a double, and Tom later singled to put runners on the corners with one out. Bob would then crush his second homer of the inning, a three-run blast, putting Questionable Outfit ahead 5-3. Morrison singled, and it looked as if Questionable would open up a huge lead, but Dinger retired Reilly, holding the deficit at two runs.

Tom continued to swing a hot bat, going 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBI

Tom continued to swing a hot bat, going 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBI

Reilly was in command in the top of the fifth, retiring the side in order.

Questionable extended their lead in the bottom of the fifth. Tom led off the inning with a homer, and Bob would make it back-to-back jacks with a solo homer of his own. Dinger retired Morrison and Reilly, but Cookies & Cream now trailed by four runs.

Reilly got behind early but finishing strong, allowing 3 earned runs on only 4 hits in the complete game win

Reilly got behind early but finishing strong, allowing 3 earned runs on only 4 hits in the complete game win

Reilly shut things down in the top of the sixth. Joey would single with one out, but Cookies never threatened.

Questionable held on for a 7-3 game 1 victory, taking an early lead in the Wiffle Series.

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

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Reilly pitched the complete game win for Questionable Outfit, allowing 3 runs on only 4 hits in 6 innings.
– Dinger took the loss for Cookies & Cream, giving up 7 runs on 10 hits in 5 innings.
– Bob led the way for Questionable, going 3-for-5 with 3 homers, 3 runs scored, and 5 RBI.
– Morrison also went 4-for-5 for Questionable Outfit with 2 singles, 2 doubles, and 2 runs scored.
– Blose was the only Cookies & Cream player with multiple hits, going 2-for-4 with 2 home runs, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBI.