Tag Archives: Fish Sticks

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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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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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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Ron Goes Deep Three Times, Carries Caucasians to 8-4 Win Over Fish Sticks

28 Jun
Ron went 4 for 5 with 3 home runs and 5 RBI as he led the Caucasians past the Fish Sticks

Ron went 4 for 5 with 3 home runs and 5 RBI as he led the Caucasians past the Fish Sticks

The Caucasians pounded Joey for 8 runs, led by Ron who hit 3 homers, as they easily defeated the Fish Sticks 8-4 in the second game of their double-header.

After their heartbreaking walk-off loss to the Fish Sticks earlier in week 7, the Caucasians looked to exact some revenge in their second meeting. They sent their ace, Guthrie, to the mound to get them back on track. He started by doing exactly that, retiring Joey and Vassallo in order in the top of the first inning.

The Caucasians would face Joey, who had pitched well against them earlier in the season. His luck wouldn’t continue in this matchup, as the Caucasians hit him early and often. Morrison led off the game with a double, and the Caucasians immediately had a runner in scoring position. Joey got Les to fly out to left for the first out of the inning, but the next batter, Ron, hit a towering 2-run bomb to left field, putting the Caucasians up 2-0 early. Guthrie grounded out to center for the second out of the inning, as Joey held the deficit at two runs.

Ron watches the first of his three bombs sail over the left field fence

Ron watches the first of his three bombs sail over the left field fence

Blose led off the top of the second with a double, but Guthrie held him there, as he retired Dinger and Joey in order to maintain the 2-0 lead.

The Caucasians opened up on the Sticks in the bottom of the second. Morrison led off the inning with a solo bomb, making the score 3-0. Les followed with a double, and scored from second when Ron singled, pushing the score to 3-0. Guthrie flew out to center for the first out of the inning, but with one down and a runner on second, Morrison hammered another blast, a two-run homer to right-center, giving the Caucasians a 5-0 lead. Les flew out to the mound to end the inning, but the Caucasians had produced a comfortable lead.

Ron smokes an RBI single off Joey as Les scores from second

Ron smokes an RBI single off Joey as Les scores from second

Guthrie rolled through the top of the third, retiring Vassallo and Blose in order for a scoreless inning.

Guthrie held the league's best offense in check as the Caucasians rolled

Guthrie held the league’s best offense in check as the Caucasians rolled

Ron continued to swing a hot bat in the bottom of the third, leading off the inning with his second homer of the game, a solo shot that put the Caucasians up 6-0. Guthrie flew out to center for the first out of the inning, and following a Morrison single, Joey retired Les to end the inning.

Down six runs, the Sticks cut into the deficit in the top of the fourth. Dinger led off the inning with a double, and after Joey flew out to left for the first out of the inning, Vassallo crushed a two-run home run to right-center, cutting the score to 6-2. Guthrie held the Sticks in check, however, as Blose flew out to left for the second out of the inning.

For the second consecutive inning, Ron led off the bottom of the fourth with a solo shot, his third homer of the game. The bomb put the Caucasians ahead 7-2. Guthrie followed with a single, but the Sticks would turn two, as Morrison grounded out to Joey at the mound, who stepped on the mound while Guthrie was in between bases, ending the inning.

The Sticks made up for the run quickly in the top of the fifth, as Dinger led off with a solo homer, cutting the score to 7-3. But the Sticks couldn’t open up a big rally against Guthrie, as he retired Joey and Vassallo in order to end the inning.

Les led off the bottom of the fifth with a double, but he was stranded there, as Ron was finally retired, and Guthrie flew out to center to end the inning.

Down four runs, the Sticks hoped to score 5 in the bottom of the sixth for a second consecutive last-at-bat come back. It looked as if it just might happen, as Blose led off the inning with a solo shot, and the score was 8-4. But Guthrie tightened up as he had in previous innings, retiring Dinger and Joey consecutively, ending the game. The Caucasians had stormed ahead early and held on, splitting their week 7 double-header with the Fish Sticks.

Blose homered in the top of the sixth, but the Fish Sticks had too little too late and couldn't mount another come back

Blose homered in the top of the sixth, but the Fish Sticks had too little too late and couldn’t mount another come back

The win moved the Caucasians to 8-6 on the season, while the loss dropped the Fish Sticks to 9-5.

W: Guthrie (5-3)
L: Joey (4-4)

Box Score

Game Notes:
– Guthrie pitched 6 innings for the complete game win, giving up 4 runs on only 5 hits.
– Ron led the Caucasians offensively, going 4 for 5 with a single, 3 homers, 5 RBI, and 3 runs scored.
– Morrison also played well for the Caucasians, going 4 for 5 with a single, a double, 2 homers, 3 RBI, and 3 runs scored.
– Blose and Dinger led the Fish Sticks at the plate, as each went 2 for 4 with a double, a homer, and an RBI. Blose scored one run while Dinger scored two.
– Joey went hitless for only the second time in his EWL career, snapping a 16 game hitting streak. This is the second longest hitting streak in league history, second only to Blose, who has currently hit safely in 20 straight games. Vassallo also has a current hitting streak of 17 games.

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Bobby Brown Pounds Fish Sticks for 8 Home Runs, Hold On for 9-5 Win

12 Jun
Brad rounds third after one of his 3 homers as he helped carry Bobby Brown to a big win over the Fish Sticks

Brad rounds third after one of his 3 homers as he helped carry Bobby Brown to a big win over the Fish Sticks

The Lentz brothers each hit 3 homers and kept the Fish Sticks out of reach as they held off a late rally to win 9-5.

The Sticks started Joey on the mound for the second time in week 6, and he got off to a rough start in the top of the first inning. The first batter, Mark, hit a leadoff homer, immediately putting Bobby Brown up 1-0. Joey retired the next batter, Brad, for the first out of the inning. With one out, Mike singled, and moved to second when Mark followed with a single. Joey escaped further damage though, as Brad grounded out to the mound for the second out of the inning, stranding Mike and Mark.

Mike started on the mound and brought the heat to the Fish Sticks early. Ivan grounded out to right for the first out of the inning, and Joey was called out after trying to extend a single into a double, ending the inning.

Bobby Brown added to their lead in the top of the second. After Mike flew out for the first out of the inning, Mark doubled. With a runner on second and one out, Brad hit a 2-run homer, pushing the Bobby Brown lead to 3-0. Mike flew out to left for the second out of the inning.

Mark races to first for one of his 6 base hits for the game

Mark races to first for one of his 6 base hits for the game

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

Bobby Brown would add two more runs in the top of the third, starting with Mark, who led off the inning with a solo homer, his second of the game, making the score 4-0. Brad flew out to left for the first out of the inning, but Mike followed with a solo homer, the first of his career, and the score was 5-0. Joey retired Mark for the first time in the game for the second out of the inning, but the Sticks trailed by five.

Mike his first career homer in the top of the third, the first of two he had in the game

Mike his first career homer in the top of the third, the first of two he had in the game

The Sticks would get on the board in the bottom of the third. Ivan led off the inning by grounding out to Brad in center, but Joey followed with a one-out triple. Blose then doubled, scoring Joey and cutting the deficit to 5-1. With one out and a runner on second, Mike got Vassallo to fly out to the mound, ending the inning and stranding the runner.

For the third consecutive inning, Bobby Brown would add two runs to their lead. Brad led off the inning with a solo bomb, his second of the game, making the score 6-1. Mike grounded out to left for the first out of the inning, but Mark followed with a solo shot, his third of the game, and the score was 7-1. Joey had given up six homers in 3.5 innings, and he pulled himself from the game, turning to Blose from the bullpen to minimize the damage. He retired Brad, who grounded out to left, to end the inning.

The Fish Sticks' defense was terrible all day, particularly in their loss to Bobby Brown

The Fish Sticks’ defense was terrible all day, particularly in their loss to Bobby Brown

Down six runs, the Sticks went quietly in the bottom of the fourth. Ivan doubled to lead off the inning, but was held at second when Joey flew out to the mound for the first out. Blose followed with a one-out single, but Ivan was called out trying to advance from second to third on the play, ending the inning.

Bobby Brown's defense was superb despite playing with only 3 in the field

Bobby Brown’s defense was superb despite playing with only 3 in the field

Blose made quick work of Bobby Brown in the top of the fifth. Mike led off with a single, but Blose turned a double play when Mark grounded out to the mound, and Mike was caught in between first and second for the second out of the inning.

The Sticks cut into the Bobby Brown lead in the bottom of the fifth, starting with Vassallo who led off the inning with a single. Ivan followed with a two-run homer, making the score 7-3. Joey followed with a double, and it looked as if the Sticks would rally as they have all season. The next batter, Blose, singled, but Joey was caught in between second and third for the first out of the inning. With Blose on first and one out, Vassallo grounded out to left, ending the inning and the rally at only two runs.

Bobby Brown immediately made up the two runs in the top of the sixth. Brad led off the inning with his third home run of the game, a towering shot to left, putting Bobby Brown up 8-3. The next batter, Mike, hit a low fly ball that barely cleared the right field fence, making back-to-back homers and giving Bobby Brown a 6-run lead. Mark followed with a double, and it looked as if things would get ugly, but Blose got Brad and Mike to fly out consecutively to end the inning.

Down 9-3, the Sticks got off to a good start in a comeback bid in the bottom of the sixth. Ivan led off the inning with his second homer in as many at-bats, a solo bomb to right-center that cut the score to 9-4. Mike got Joey to ground out for the first out of the inning, but Blose followed with a solo bomb, and the score was 9-5. With one out and no one on, Mike ended the Fish Sticks rally, getting Vassallo to fly out to the mound, ending the game.

The win moved Bobby Brown to 4-7 on the season in a tie with the Ham Slams in the standings. The Fish Sticks’ loss snapped a 4-game winning streak and dropped their record to 7-4 in a tie with the Caucasians in the standings.

W: Mike (1-0)
L: Joey (4-3)

Game Notes:
– Mike pitched a complete game win, yielding 5 runs on 11 hits
– Downtown Bobby Brown combined for 8 home runs, 3 each for Mark and Brad and 2 for Mike
– Mark led Bobby Brown offensively, going 6 for 8 with a single, 2 doubles, and 3 home runs in addition to 4 runs scored and 3 RBI
– Brad also had a solid game for Bobby Brown, going 3 for 8 with 3 homers and 4 RBI
– Ivan led the Fish Sticks offensively, going 3 for 5 with a double, 2 home runs, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBI

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