We are less than one week away from the summer's annual most anticipated event, and things are shaping up in a fairly normal fashion. This tournament, means many things to many people. For some, it's their way of seeing old friends. Some use it as an excuse to party. Some are just here because, well, it's what we do this time of year. I think it can be a combination of all of the above. I think this tournament, at it's core, is a manifestation of all of our friendships. It's got it's flaws, and it's a little nuts, but it's something that all of us hold deep within us in some way.
Anyway, here it is. Your full schedule for the week, and some interesting tidbits along the way.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Sunday, July 28
PALOOZA WEEK BEGINS
Tuesday, July 30
Wifflepalooza Media Day
Live scrimmages
Wednesday, July 31
Live scrimmages
Thursday, August 1
"Festival of Sacrifice"
Team Photo Day Opportunities
Live scrimmages (final availability)
Friday, August 2
3rd WP Home Run Derby (530pm)
Wifflepalooza Pre-Jam (to follow)
Saturday, August 3
9:00am - Optional batting practice availability
10:45am - Opening ceremonies begin
Team introductions, ceremonial first pitch, national anthem
11:00am - games begin
F1 - Flapacs v. Ironballs
F2 - Goodfellas v. Goondingos
11:40
F1 - PA Pork Missiles v. Goodfellas
F2 - Ironballs v. Bert Brigade
12:20
F1 - Bert Brigade v. Goondingos
F2 - Flapacamingos v. PA Pork Missiles
1:00
F1 - Ironballs v. PA Pork Missiles
F2 - Flapacamingos v. Goodfellas
1:40
F1 - Flapacamingos v. Bert Brigade
F2 - PA Pork Missiles v. Goondingos
2:20
F1 - Ironballs v. Goondingos
F2 - Bert Brigade v. Goodfellas
3:10 - PLAYOFFS
#1 v. #4
#2 v. #3
4:20 - Championship Game
WWWWWH?
Who: The 6 best wiffleball teams in the country
What: A 6-team group play, single elimination playoff format tournament to decide the wiffleball champion of the world.
When: Saturday, August 3, 2024.
Where: The Willie J Huff Sports Complex in Vineland, NJ
Why: Because the tradition is now as important as the need to compete. Because a champion's reign can't go unchallenged forever. Because it's the trident.
How: On a wing and a prayer, as usual.
Facts & Figures
- Since 2013, only 3 different teams have had players win the tournaments Cy Young Award. Only a member of the Goodfellas, Bert Brigade or Flapacamingos have won the award since Matt Creamer, star rookie of the Monstars won it for WP7.
- Since 2017, only 3 different players have won the Cy Young Award: Tony Donato (3x), Kevin Engasser (2x) and Justin Geri.
- In 17 tournament playoffs, the top overall seed has won 6 times. The 2nd seed has won 4 times. The 3rd seed has also won 6 times. Only once the #4 seed has ultimately won the whole thing (PA Pork Missiles in 2022).
- In 17 Championship games, 6 times it has seen the top 2 seeds face off, including last year. 13 of those 17 games have seen at least one of the top 2 seeds included. 4 times, the title game has included both wild card teams (WP5, WP8, WP9, WP16)
- There have been 227 different players to participate in Wifflepalooza, across 17 tournaments and 15 years. There could be as many as 12 new players to make their debuts this year.
- There have been 23 different teams to earn spots in Wifflepalooza over the same time frame.
- Flapacamingos WC have the most championships, with 5. They also have the most playoff appearances, with 14.
- Goodfellas have appeared in the most title games, with 7, winning 4 of them.
- In 17 tournaments, there have been 890 home runs and 2,545 runs scored. The 10th homer of the day this weekend will be the 900th all-time homer.
- Only twice has this tournament ever included an odd-number of teams. Both WP12 & WP13 had 7 teams. Otherwise, it has always had 4, 6, or 8 teams, with the 6 & 8 team formats featuring divisional play.
Milestone Watch
- With 2 homers, Ryan Ricci will become the 3rd member of the 40 HR Club (Stanzione, Etter). He can also join the 100 Hit Club with 2 more on Saturday.
- With 6 homers, Justin Geri will also join the 40 HR Club. He can also join the 100 RBI Club with 10 RBI on Saturday.
- At first pitch on field 2, Goodfellas captain Rocco Lombardo will be the first player to play in 90 games all-time.
- With 31 total bases at the plate, Jeff Ronchetti would be the 5th player to reach 200 career total bases
- There are 3 players who are all within range to be the first to 20 victories on the mound. Ryan Ricci (19) and Mike Tedesco (18) are closest, while Jeff Ronchetti (16) is possible also.
- With 15 innings, Jeff Ronchetti can be the first to reach 200 innings pitched. He could also become the first to reach 300 strikeouts, with 32.
- With 7 base hits, Taylor Cheli can become the 2nd fastest to 40-career hits.
- Jeff Lunsford needs 2 hits to be the 13th member of the 50 Hit Club
- Jake Lambert needs 8 hits to be the 4th member of the 90 Hit Club
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