Thursday, August 7, 2025

Wifflepalooza XX & A Letter from The Commissioner of Wifflepalooza, Al Etter

To our team owners, captains, players, fans and sponsors, I wanted to address my thoughts on some topics and discussions at the end of our 2025 League Year. By the time you are reading this, I have reached out individually to some of you for personal thoughts, and I thank you for your input. Your words and friendship mean a great deal to me. 

RECAP, POLICIES & RULE CHANGES

Allow me to start with a recap of this year's tournament. Overall? Another smashing success. Six full teams, each got a minimum of four games in, and our playoffs brought new records, tremendous finishes, and an overall great ending to a long, great day. We started on time, and while we ran long for various reasons, I believe everyone left feeling they got their money's worth, and that is really the only broader goal we have as league management. Congrats to the Goodfellas on winning their fifth title.

Overall, the rule changes and policies that were put in place for 2025 were followed very well and added to an enhanced experience on the day. The fields held up better in '25 than they did in '24, and I appreciate everyone's help with that. We would like to take another step forward in '26 with this.

 

OFFICIATING 

Another topic I want to address is the overall mindset of participants when addressing officials of individual games. This has been a long-running problem. One that dates back to our very first event over a decade and a half ago. Look, we have no better option for officiating. None. If we did, we would have exercised it by now. To acquire two umpires (and seemingly, two additional persons to keep the stat books for each game) would incur a cost of around $50 per game on average, which totals up to over $600 for the day, not even including playoff games or scorekeepers. We simply do not have that in the budget for a tournament where the total purse is typically around $1,000 total. If anyone is willing to step up and offer that type of donation, I am certainly open to the idea. As has been the case every time I have mentioned this over the last fifteen years, I do not see many folks lining up to foot that bill.

This is all to say, take a moment to consider the big picture. Four teams play at the same time; two teams are off. There is never a case where the same two teams are off in back-to-back windows. I give your schedule to your team, at least two weeks in advance, sometimes as early as months ahead. You have more than enough time to plan out your day, as far as restroom breaks, getting food/drink, and just taking a rest. You know in the window your team is off, at least two of you will be asked to officiate or keep score of a game. If you approach it prepared, knowing what's going on, with an attitude that you are in charge and do a good job, this operation is more than good enough. There are multiple ways to do this. Plan to have someone pick up food for you, make sure you have enough beverages in advance. Plan. Ahead. If everyone does that, the overall tone of this process will change for the better. 

Additionally, tackle this from the other side. If you are the on the wrong end of a bad call, take it, deal with it, and move on. If an umpire is doing their best and paying attention and they get a call wrong? Too bad. You'll get the next one. Stop bitching and complaining for the next three hours to any poor soul that'll hear about it. No one else cares. Unless you are involved in the game in question, literally no one else cares what happens to you in that game. We are so sick of hearing about how bad the umpires are when YOU ARE THE UMPIRES. We're sick of hearing about how the stats are wrong when YOU KEEP THE BOOKS. You want it to be better? Start by DOING IT BETTER YOURSELF when asked instead of complaining. If you don't know how to keep the book, ASK. I will show you. Someone will show you. There's plenty of people that know how to do it. If that's too much to ask in your opinion, maybe this tournament isn't for you.

 

STATE OF PLAY

And lastly, but maybe most important piece. I had the opportunity to hear from a number of participants about complaints about the quality of play. While I would be inclined to totally ignore this nonsense, since most of it is from people who've complained about any and everything for years and yet have participated pretty much every year, I did want to address the idea that quality of play has changed.

See the table below. This tracks all numbers from each tournament over the last 6 years. Between 2022 & 2023, the mounds were moved from 40 feet back to 42 feet.

A screenshot of a data sheet

AI-generated content may be incorrect.

As you can see, in the 3 years since the mounds changed, hits are up 8%, runs are up almost 19% (!), walks are up 5.5% but down this year from the last two years, strikeouts are down 20%, and home runs are up 5%. What does everyone want? Action, right? Less walks, less strikeouts, more homers, hits and runs. I agree. I like action. I do not enjoy a game with 25 walks. I get nothing personally from taking 4 balls and going to first. I like to hit; I have my entire life. 

That being said, the team that won this year won in no small part to their ability to walk. They take their bases. Is it the most aesthetically pleasing way to play? No. Does it work because their guys who can't slug well take their walks and get on base for their guys who do? Hell yes! If you don't like that and don't want to play that way, then don't play that way. But if you have a problem with how the Goodfellas played, instead of complaining to me, or Jake, or Ryan Ricci, or Pat Ney, none of whom are members of the Goodfellas, why don't you throw the fucking ball over the plate. The only team that has any control over you getting them out, is you. Throw more strikes. Throw better strikes. It can be done, I've seen it. I understand if you feel it is not as fun of a way to play, but we are not going to turn our rule book and tournament format upside down to try to change the way one team plays.

In the 3 years since we made the mound change, we have seen a 15% increase in balls in play. In 2022, 69.3% of all plate appearances ended in a walk or a strikeout. This past tournament, that number fell all the way to 54.2%. Would I like that number to go even lower? Sure. And that is why I do not want to be dismissive of this topic. I am making a call to all participants for ideas. Let’s make this thing better. I am open to any ideas no matter how stupid you may think. I do not want to change our sport dramatically, but if there is something we are currently missing that would make things better, we'd be foolish not to consider it.

 

ROAD TO WIFFLEPALOOZA XX

Lastly, I cannot wait for next year. Not just to get another shot at winning, but to be able to put on this tournament for the 20th time, is one of the most sentimental and interesting things I've ever done. I say this often, but if you went back in time and told Jake & I in 2008 when we began planning the first one, that almost 20 years from now you'll be putting on this tournament for the 20th time, we'd have said absolutely no way. We are putting out a call now, to any and every person that's ever been a part of our tournament, to please come out to next year's tournament. We plan to have an extended introduction, where we will call each person out by name and allow them to get the recognition they deserve. The best part of this tournament is that it's fueled by you, the participants. We'd have stopped a long time ago if you all stopped coming. I know some have over the years for one reason or another, but there's an unspoken bond among the 238 people who've played in this thing. It's unique, and a shared experience, and we'd love to have you out there. We will announce some other exciting things related to this tournament going forward, and we'll decide on a date (either August 1st or August 8th) as soon as we can. But that's the first part of it is inviting everyone who's ever played back home. If you still are in contact with people who haven't come out in a while, but you know they've played before, please reach out to them on my behalf. 

Looking forward to hearing from as many of you as possible, and we'll see you soon.

 

Thank you all, 

Sincerely,

 

Alfred B. Etter

Office of the Commissioner

Major League Wiffleball / Wifflepalooza




Sunday, August 3, 2025

Back On Top; Goodfellas Overcome Adversity to Win Fifth Title

 VINELAND - Who would've thought that adding back one of the games all-time greats, as well as calling up your top prospect would be all you'd need to go on a legendary run. The Goodfellas on Saturday, by returning Brian Stanzione, adding Anthony Lopez, getting an historic day on the mound from Justin Geri and; with one of the most stunning swings we've ever seen in this tournament, did just that. It's difficult to say that a 6-0 team needed some things to come together to end up champions, but this team will tell you it's true. After jumping out early on the PA Pork Missiles to win their first game, the G'fellas narrowly escaped the Goondingos with some controversy about their application of the time limit rule to win 5-3. They then were the beneficiary of a bad throw by Flapacs 1B Al Etter, allowing a very aggressive Brian Stanzione to score the winning run of a 2-1 win. "Just trying to make our own luck a little bit" said Stanzione, who's return to the tournament was sorely needed by the Goodfellas, as he would go on to drive in 11 runs and win Title Game MVP. "We just felt like that was a moment to push things and luckily for us it worked out."

By the time they reached their final regular tournament game, it was clear the Ironballs were out of pitching and the Goodfellas pounced, defeating them 14-0 on their way to the division title and #1 overall seed in the playoffs. They would go on to a re-match with PA Pork Missiles, who by then had sorted themselves out and were looking quite dangerous. They gave the Goodfellas all they could handle. Leading 7-6 in the bottom of the 6th, after an incredible play by Justin Baeringer to throw out Billy Jackson at home, the G'fellas were in dire straits. Down to their last out, winning run at 1st and team captain Rocco Lombardo at the plate. Lombardo had talked earlier in the week about how many times their season had ended like this. Something had to change. Lombardo, with his first hit of the day, let alone HR, drove a 3-run walk off shot over the wall in left, stunning the Pork Missiles and the crowd watching and delivering the G'fellas to their first title game since 2020. 

"I just decided that was it, we had to win it there. I've got a walks record I'm proud of, and I'm sure I couldve gotten on and passed it along to the next guy. But sometimes you have to just make a choice, and thankfully that thing got over. I still can't believe I did that", said Lombardo amidst the champagne celebration in the locker room of the Willie J. Huff Complex afterward. It was a remarkable finish to one of the best semi-finals we've seen in a long time. It's the first walk-off in an elimination game since WP12, when teammate Jeff Lunsford hit a walk-off home run off Flapacs RHP Eric Bomenblit. 

Once they reached the title game, Justin Geri set the tone. He set the tone all day. Geri threw 17 innings, striking out 27 and giving up just a single run (a solo HR by Etter) all day long. He was tremendous, and steadied the squad at times when they needed it most. Historically, the Goodfellas, like most teams, play well when they're ahead. Geri's title game start gave them that opportunity. Anthony Lopez, who had an exceptional rookie season (finished 2nd in ROY voting), drove in 2 early with a double. The G'fellas were off and running. After Stanzione homered in the 4th to make it 3-0, Geri had finished his 4 innings he was eligible to pitch and handed it off to Mike Tedesco. Ted struggled a bit at first, allowing back-to-back homers to Ken McCormick and Jake Guglielmi, to allow Bert Brigade back in front. Bert, seeking back-to-back titles for the 2nd time, were in the driver's seat now. But after Tony Donato had to exit after his 5 innings, the G'fellas went to work on McCormick. 3 walks to start the inning brought Stanz back up. He had his signature moment. A Grand Slam in the bottom of the 6th put the Goodfellas head for good. Even after Taylor Cheli homered to make it 7-5, Ted slammed the door shut by striking out McCormick to end it, and the G'fellas had their 5th title. It ties the Flapacs for the most titles in WP history. "It's great to win and reach the top with the boys again" said Tedesco. "Really, we've worked at this a long time and we've come up short too often recently. We think we're the best to ever do this and it's good to see that pay off this time".


Facts & Figures-

- G'fellas and Flapacs are tied with 5 Championships each, but the Goodfellas 8 title game appearances are the most by any team. They have appeared in 47% of the title games out of the 17 tournaments they've played in, going back to their time as "Rip City"

- Goodfellas also posted the 2nd ever undefeated run to a championship. The only other? Also the G'fellas, back in WP13 in 2019

- Rocco Lombardo reached both the 100 career walks and 100 career games played marks, the first to reach both

- Jeff Ronchetti reached 90 career hits. He also became the first pitcher to reach 200 innings pitched in a career.

- Dustin Graiff reached 20 career home runs, the 16th member of that club

- Ryan Ricci reached 40 career home runs, the 3rd member of that club

- Sawyer Brown reached 40 career hits, 50 career runs scored and 20 career home runs as well

- Allen Cruz reached 70 career hits and 50 career RBI

- There have now been 238 different players to participate in the 19 Wifflepaloozas

- Pat Ney recorded his first pitching victory, since throwing a perfect game to defeat Goon Squad all the way back during WP3 in 2010. It's the longest stretch between pitching wins in tournament history, at 5,523 days, or 15 years, 1 month and 14 days.

- Tony Donato became just the 3rd pitcher to reach the 200 career strikeout mark

- Al Etter became the first player to reach 100 career runs scored

- Wifflepalooza XIX saw 4 different pitchers record saves. That is a single tournament record.

- 249 total runs scored are the most in a single 6-team tournament in Wifflepalooza history.

- Bert Brigade's 75 runs scored are the most by any single team in tournament history, and their 38 runs in the semifinal game v. Ironballs are the most runs scored in a single game by any team in tournament history.

- Wifflepalooza XX is expected to be considered a week+ long event, with the actual wiffleball championship tournament taking place either August 1st, 2026, or August 8th, 2026, with an official decision to be announced at a later date. There are expected to be other events as a part of this grand spectacle, such as a HR Derby, Legends Game, golf outing, luncheon and more. Stay tuned for updates.


Stats & Awards - Wifflepalooza XIX

HITTING AND PITCHING STATISTICS FOR WIFFLEPALOOZA XIX 







WIFFLEPALOOZA XIX AWARDS

MVP - Jake Guglielmi, Bert Brigade

Cy Young - Justin Geri, Goodfellas

Title Game MVP - Brian Stanzione, Goodfellas

Most Improved - Izayah Quinones, Ironballs

Top Rookie - Luis Sauri, Bert Brigade


WIFFLEPALOOZA XIX ALL-STAR TEAM

P Justin Geri, Goodfellas
P Tony Donato, Bert Brigade
P Kenny "Ballbag" Weber, PA Pork Missiles
IF Connor Viglianti, Goondingos
IF Luis Sauri, Bert Brigade
IF Izayah Quinones, Ironballs
OF Jake Guglielmi, Bert Brigade
OF Ryan Hutchings, Goondingos
OF Sawyer Brown, Bert Brigade
UT Brian Stanzione, Goodfellas
UT Al Etter, Flapacamingos
UT Anthony Lopez, Goodfellas

STANDINGS / TEAM TOTALS









Friday, August 1, 2025

Goodfellas Wifflepalooza Preview - Roster, Schedule, Notes

ROSTER:

12-MAN ROSTER - BOLD=ACTIVE

1 Brian Stanzione

8 Rocco Lombardo (C)

11 Anthony Lopez    

16 Justin Geri

25 Billy Jackson

41 Mike Tedesco

42 Jeff Lunsford

13 Carman Daddario - inactive

10 Brian Calatozzo - inactive

24 Manny Colon - inactive


SCHEDULE:

11am- off

1140am- v. PA Pork Missiles, Field 1

1220pm- v. Goondingos, Field 2

1pm- v. Flapacamingos, Field 2

140pm- v. Ironballs, Field 1

220pm- v. off


NOTES:

Internally, the G'fellas feel pretty good about this group. 2 elite arms? Check. 2 additional bats they didnt have last year? Check. What's not to like? All this group is worried about is execution and performing up to their level. Geri and Tedesco pack a mean 1-2 punch, and with the call up of top prospect Anthony Lopez and the re-addition of Brian Stanzione, the Goodfellas are once again dynamic. With a potential core lineup of Geri, Jackson, Stanzione & Lopez, this is the best roster they've fielded since 2020.


Odds: -110 to win, -250 to reach title game, -850 to make playoffs

Thursday, July 31, 2025

PA Pork Missiles Wifflepalooza Preview - Roster, Schedule, Notes

ROSTER:

12-MAN ROSTER - BOLD=ACTIVE

1 Tim Durante (C)

Justin Baeringer

Kenny Ballbag Weber

Jody Durante

Tom Volpe

Brandon McCullough

Dan Volpe

Brandon Sturgis

Kevin Glynn - inactive

James O'Brien - inactive

2 open twelve-man roster spots


SCHEDULE:

11am- v. Ironballs, Field 2

1140am- v. Goodfellas, Field 1

1220pm- off

1pm- v. Bert Brigade, Field 1

140pm- v. Goondingos, Field 2

220pm- off


NOTES:

Pork's odds of success change dramatically if Dano Volpe ends up in the mix. At the time of this writing, it is still unclear if he will be able to go. Without him their pitching situation becomes very murky. There's no clear cut ace, Justin Baeringer and Tim Durante look to be the only guys with experience. Baeringer has proved himself to be more than capable, but inconsistency with control has popped up at times. The Pigs did add a bat, bringing former Temp Agency all-star Brandon Sturgis in on loan. 


Odds:+145 to win, +125 to reach title game, -175 to make playoffs

Goondingos Wifflepalooza Preview - Roster, Schedule, Notes

ROSTER:

12-MAN ROSTER - BOLD=ACTIVE

3 Jeff Ronchetti (C)

4 Connor Viglianti

5 Mark Ronchetti

10 Patrick Hennessy

12 Dustin Graiff

24 Ryan Hutchings

69 Pete Gervasio

Scott Schneider - inactive

Johnny Malatesta - inactive

Nick Calabrese - inactive

Rocco Lupi -inactive

Luis Umana - inactive


Reserve/Retired list

1 Tyler Martini


SCHEDULE:

11am- v. Bert Brigade, Field 1

1140am- off

1220pm- v. Goodfellas, Field 2

1pm- off

140pm- v. PA Pork Missiles, Field 2

220pm- v. Flapacamingos, Field 1


NOTES:

The Goons have their work cut out for them this year. Striking out in free agency has left some significant holes that they'll have to fill internally. It's unclear who their 2nd arm is behind Jeff Ronchetti, who's still good enough to win them  a game or two on his own, but he's gonna need some help if the Goons are to advance to the playoffs. The top candidates to follow Ronchetti on the mound are Ryan Hutchings or Patrick Hennessy, but both of their status's are murky entering the Palooza week, as Hennessy is dealing with injury and Hutchings is rumored to be taking a step back. Beyond those two they could try 2nd year player Connor Viglianti on the mound. Their bats are inconsistent, but if they are on the ceiling for this lineup is quite high. 5 of the 6 spots have the ability to go deep at any time. They'll be longshots in this one, but if they can plan out and execute Ronchetti's innings properly and the lineup can get some slug, they'll have a shot.


Odds: +170 to win, +145 to reach title game, +105 to make playoffs

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Flapacamingos Wifflepalooza Preview - Roster, Schedule, Notes

 ROSTER:

12-MAN ROSTER - BOLD=ACTIVE

2 Marshon Green

4 Pat Ney

5 Ryan Ricci

6 Eric Leonard

11 Al Etter

19 Jake Lambert (C)

23 Christian Willis

50 Tyler Suppa

69 Matt Bocchese

17 Rob Humes - inactive

1 Eric Bomenblit - inactive

3 Brandon Zachary - inactive


60-day IL

7 Kevin Engasser

12 Paul Nyitray

15 Jorge Valentin


SCHEDULE:

11am- off

1140am- v. Bert Brigade, Field 2

1220pm- v. Ironballs, Field 1

1pm- v. Goodfellas, Field 2

140pm- off

220pm- v. Goondingos, Field 1


NOTES:

Their 12-man roster and injured list could be considered the best in the sport, but down a significant portion of their team the Flapacs will have to make due with pieces they weren't expecting. Their 2nd pitcher, like a lot of teams, might be an issue. It's expected that the bulk of those innings will come from rookie Marshon Green, with veterans Al Etter & Rob Humes to fill in behind him. Ryan Ricci will lead the way as the ace once again with Kevin Engasser out, but his status is also up in the air. The one thing that the Flapacs believe they can definitely count on are the bats. They believe with a year of experience under his belt, OF Tyler Suppa can develop into a star, and the youth and talent of Green and, if he can play, Christian Willis will provide a serious boost to this already dangerous lineup. Their 6th roster spot remains a question. The Flapacs have gone with quantity over quality to fill it out, having a record 10-active players for the day of. Whether it will be the right mix is still unknown.


Odds: +145 to win, +115 to reach title game, -200 to make playoffs