Team Preview: Flapacamingos

Flapacamingos:

Last Year: 2-2, 3^rd in West Division

Additions: Matt Creamer, Kevin Smick

Losses: Ryan Hutchings, Kerry Cerana, Matt Bocchese (on-loan), Pat Ney (Manager)

Schedule:

11:00am  Belgian Wiffles

12:15     Super Smash Brothers

1:30        High & Dry

2:45        off

What’s New: After what felt internally like an embarrassment last year, the Flapacs made some serious adjustments. The goal of the offseason was to clear roster and salary cap space, and that’s just what they did via a series of trades with the Mandingos. They even sent the rights to Ryan Hutchings as part of the package, planning on him playing this season in Brazil (that however back fired, he’ll suit up for the Mandingos on August 7). But the moves cleared the necessary space for the Flapacs to sign top free-agent RHP Matt Creamer, who took last year off. He is expected to anchor the Flapacs rotation. Offense is something this team has never lacked, and with less to juggle within the lineup, expect a more balanced, consistent Flapacs team. More like the ones we’re used to seeing on wiffleball’s biggest stage.

Hitting: Losing Hutchings’s bat is definitely something worth noting, but the Flapacs believe they can definitely replace that production with the addition of Kevin Smick. The former all-star is back on the Flapacs after playing the last 4 years for the Virginia Squires of the South Atlantic Wiffle Association. He can’t match Hutchings’ power, but he’ll get on base and create runs. The rest of this lineup is well known, with boppers up and down the order. One other thing to watch is whether Lambert or Etter leads off for this year’s squad, as we’re told at this point that decision is up in the air. Both have ample experience leading off.

Pitching: The Flapacs will run-out 3 legitimate, healthy, ace-caliber type pitchers for the first time in a long time. Matt Creamer will most likely be looked at as the go-to, but behind him are Ryan Ricci and Kris Lapsley, both of whom have Championship game experience. Look for Flapacs management to try and stretch every inning of the tournament out of these 3 guys.

Prediction: You’d have to think, on paper, based on the changes made this offseason that the Flapacs will once again be title contenders. But things can change so fast on tournament day. The key for the Flapacs is to get off to a good start. They take on the defending champs right out of the gate, a tough draw, but if they can earn a win there, they are set up pretty well to get into the playoffs. Predicted win total: 2, playoffs likely