Tag Archives: EWL Awards

Vassallo of the Fish Sticks Named 2012 EWL Most Improved Player

1 Aug
2012 EWL Most Improved Player Adam Vassallo

2012 EWL Most Improved Player Adam Vassallo

Vassallo, left fielder and cleanup hitter for the Fish Sticks, has been named the first ever winner of the EWL Most Improved Player award. In a close vote, Vassallo edged out the five other players nominated for the award and received by far the most first place votes after delivering a career season in 2012.

He first showed signs of what he was capable of in the 2011 playoffs when his clutch late-game heroics helped push the Fish Sticks to the championship. He picked up where he left off in early 2012, showing increased power in addition to his already stellar fielding. Vassallo not only improved in every offensive category, in some cases doubling or even tripling his 2011 output, but he established himself as an elite-level talent in the EWL. He finished the season as a legitimate MVP candidate and was among the league leaders multiple offensive categories. Some of his improvements from 2011 include:

– His batting average increased by over 100 points from .403 to .509.
– He was one hit shy of doubling his 2011 season hit total of 29 with 57 in 2012.
– He nearly doubled his 2011 doubles total from 7 to 13 in 2012.
– After hitting 1 triple in 2011, he hit 6 in 2012.
– His slugging % increased from .819 to 1.321.
– He averaged less than a run scored per game in 2011 with only 13 runs, but scored over 2 runs a game in 2012 with 42 runs scored in 20 games.
– After accumulating only 14 RBI in 16 games in 2011, he had 48 RBI in 2012
– He more than tripled his homerun total from 7 in 2011 to 22 in 2012

In addition to these improvements, he played in all 20 games in 2012 and hit safely in all of them, a remarkable feat. He has an active regular season hitting streak of 23 games. The only statistical category he didn’t improve on was putouts; he collected 80 in 2011 but only 73 in 2012.

Vassallo’s previous awards include being named an EWL Field Master in 2011.

Vassallo narrowly received more votes than Brad, of Downtown Bobby Brown, and Ron, of the Caucasians. Brad also significantly increased his production at the plate in 2012 along with becoming one of the finest defensive players in the game. He more than tripled his putout total from 2011 and increased all of his offensive numbers as well. Ron improved his batting average by nearly 250 points and improved his already impressive power numbers from 2011. Vassallo, Brad, and Ron were all deserving candidates after turning in impressive 2012 seasons.

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.

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.

2011 EWL Season-Ending Awards Presented

6 Aug

The winners of the EWL season-ending awards were presented plaques during the first round playoffs. The awards were voted on by all EWL players who played at least 60% of the league games and the commissioner, and were presented by the commissioner in front of the league. The winners are pictured below.

Ron, manager of 4 out of 5 Dentists, is presented the 2011 EWL Manager of the Year Award

Luke, of Pumice on Slow!, shows off his 2011 EWL Field Master Award as one of the four best defensive players in the league

Morrison, of the Caucasian Vaginas, displays his 2011 EWL Field Master Award and his 2011 All-EWL Team Award

Guthrie, of the Caucasian Vaginas, holds his 2011 All-EWL Team Award and his 2011 Pitch King Award, awarded to the best pitcher during the 2011 EWL season

Blose, of the Fish Sticks, dressed appropriately, shows off his 2011 All-EWL Team Award and his 2011 EWL Wiffler of the Year Award, presented to the most valuable player

The 2011 All-EWL Team; Blose and Joey of the Fish Sticks, and Guthrie and Morrison of the Caucasian Vaginas

(Not pictured: Vassallo, of the Fish Sticks, was a winner of the 2011 EWL Field Master Award, but was not photographed with his plaque)

Inaugural All-EWL Team Named, Caucasians and Fish Sticks Selected

19 Jul

The 2011 All-EWL Team

Blose and Joey of the Fish Sticks along with Morrison and Guthrie of the Caucasian Vaginas have been named to the first ever All-EWL Team, recognizing the top all-around players throughout the 2011 regular season. The four players received a significant portion of the votes, enough to separate the four from all other finalists.

Blose was dominant offensively and defensively throughout the 2011 season

It’s no surprise to see that Blose has been named to the All-EWL Team. He was an unstoppable force at the plate throughout the majority of the regular season, and carried his team defensively as well. He set single-season league records in nearly every offensive category, led the league in put-outs, and was the only player in the league to record a save (3 of them). He was the only two-time Pabst Blue Ribbon Wiffler of the Week, taking home the award for weeks 3 and 10. He won the batting title by 11 points, finishing the year at .490, one hit away from a .500 season. He slugged over 200 points better than any other player, due in large part to hitting 20 home runs, 4 more than any other player. He led the league in RBI with 30, and won the EWL Triple Crown, a feat that was not anticipated and may not occur again soon. He came through in the clutch, and at times was the only player on his team producing. He was an EWL star from week 1, and the 2011 season will be remembered for his statistical achievements and great plays.

Guthrie was clutch at the plate and unhittable on the mound

Guthrie, the 2011 EWL Pitch King, can add another badge to his 2011 season, as he is now a member of the All-EWL Team. Guthrie made his name on the mound, shutting down opposing teams as the Caucasians rode his arm to the pennant and #1 seed. But he was no slouch at the plate either. He finished in the top 10 in almost every major offensive category, but finished in the top 5 in only one category, GWRBI. That stat, however, best describes his offensive performance in 2011. When the Caucasians needed a big hit, Guthrie was there to deliver, often putting them over-the-top for the win. He hit safely in all but two games that he played in, and had three multi-HR games, including a game with 5 RBI. He missed six games this year, and had he have been able to play a full 20-game schedule, his offensive numbers surely would have been more impressive and competitive. When he was in the lineup, he was a tough out at the plate, a rock solid fielder, and the best pitcher the game has seen. His presence was crucial to the Caucasians success in 2011.

Morrison was an elite player and a model of consistency in 2011

No EWL player was more consistently productive throughout the course of the regular season than Morrison of the Caucasian Vaginas. Morrison hit safely in all but two of the nineteen games he played, and had 2 or more hits in 16 of the 19 games, a remarkable total. He had at least one home run every week of the entire season and didn’t strike out a single time, totaling by far the most at-bats of any player who didn’t strike out. Morrison was in the top 3 in every offensive category except doubles and triples, and was ranked 2nd or higher in an incredible 10 different categories. His 7 GWRBI were two more than any other player in the league, showing how regularly his performance at the plate led his team to victory. He finished 24 points higher in batting average than everyone in the league except Blose, he was one of three players to slug over 1.000, one of two players to hit over 15 home runs, and would have won the triple crown if not for Blose. He totaled 91 putouts, and was the foundation of the Caucasian defense. Morrison took the league by storm and turned the Caucasian Vaginas into the championship favorites.

Joey was the Robin to Blose's Batman for the Fish Sticks

Joey’s 2011 season was bookended by stretches of terrific offensive performances, with a dry spell in the middle, and solid pitching throughout. He started off the season on a tear, only to return to Earth midseason, and heat back up in time to help lead the Sticks to the #2 seed as the regular season schedule concluded. Joey carried a 14-game hitting streak into the final third of the season, and hit safely in 18 of 20 games. He finished in the top 5 of every single offensive category, over 12 different stats, and led the league in doubles. He finished 3rd to Blose and Morrison in five different categories including hits, runs, HR, RBI, and total bases. He was one of 5 players to hit over .400, and hit 20 points better than the next best player. He was the only player to hit double digit singles, doubles, and home runs, and his 4 GWRBI were third most in the league. He set a league record with wins on the mound, totaling 8, and finished with the league’s 5th lowest ERA. He was solid in the field, netting only 43 putouts but rarely committing an error.

The full vote tally will be posted tomorrow, as the same vote was used to determine Wiffler of the Year. Stay tuned.