Team Preview: Mandingos

Mandingos:

Last Year: 1-3, 3^rd in East Division

Additions: Ryan Hutchings, Ryne Jones, Justin Rasile

Losses: Dimitri Paraskevas, Kyle Lunsford

Schedule:

11:00am  Waffle Stompers

12:15     Goon Squad

1:30        bye

2:45        Goodfellas

What’s New: The Mandingos are one of a number of teams in our league that underwent large changes in the off-season, but their biggest accomplishment of all, was taking advantage of another team’s mis-management. Sam Hinkie’s squad managed to acquire 5x all-star Ryan Hutchings, without giving up any active players or assets. Essentially, the Flapacamingos needed to do a salary & roster dump, and the Mandingos were there to catch all the droppings like a baby bird being fed by its’ mother. Because of this, the Mandingos now have a semi-viable lineup, as well as a former Cy Young winner to log some innings. This team’s upside has increased dramatically over the course of the last 6 months.

Hitting: In spite of being super shorthanded and somewhat overmatched last year, offense was one area where you could see the Mandingos getting better as the day went on. Former all-star Jeremy Wright will return once again, and with additions of Hutchings and rookie Ryne Jones, there is now strength up the middle of the lineup for the first time in history. This should allow veteran captain Dustin Graiff to put himself in a position for success within the lineup, rather than having to drag an anchor around (metaphorically) like he did last year.

Pitching: This is where things get interesting for the Mandingos. They gave up a record 61 runs in 4 games last year, including 3 games of 11+ runs allowed. That’s a poor formula for trying to win games. Some of their offseason additions will add experience on the mound, but there isn’t a bonafide ace that they can rely on.

Prediction: With a tough divisional draw once again, it’s hard to think that the Mandingos will rise high enough to reach the post-season. But if team’s take them lightly, they will beat them. This is a team that will be loose, and with the increase in talent it’s not totally crazy to think that they could pull off 2 upsets and reach the post-season. They will need to get at least one lights out performance on the mound, and hope to piece together another one. If they can do that, it’ll change not just their outlook but the whole complexion of the tournament. Projected win total: 0-1, playoffs unlikely.

Team Preview: High & Dry

High & Dry:

Last Year: 0-4, last in West Division

Additions: Eric Lepouski, Steve Bishop, Scott Crowell

Losses: Greg Kuhlen, Joey Ingram, Earl Errig, Danny Errig

Schedule:

11:00am  Super Smash Brothers

12:15     bye

1:30        Flapacamingos

2:45        Belgian Wiffles

What’s New: High & Dry returns for their second year, likely much better prepared for battle than last year. Coming from a league that doesn’t rely on base running or extensive defense, these guys came in last year already at a disadvantage. But now having a year of experience under their belt, adding to a re-tooling of the roster, they should definitely be much more accustomed to the pace and structure of this tournament.

Hitting: The High & Dry lineup is full of capable hitters. All of these guys are veterans of the South Jersey Wiffleball League, which having experienced firsthand, is no easy place to play. They were able to work a remarkable 31 walks in just 4 games last year. Where they seemed to struggle was the task of getting those guys home. They scored just 29 runs with their 61 base runners last year, leading to believe the adjustment phase of the tournament is mostly to blame for the struggles with runners in scoring position. Opponents shouldn’t count on them missing so many opportunities again.

Pitching: This was definitely an area of struggle last year after posting a 13.16 team ERA. It’s possible that the difference in bat size used in this tournament, compared to what this team is used to using had something to do with that. They’ve added some depth in this area in the offseason with Lepouski and Crowell, who will compliment staff ace Sean Friel. Along with great poise and mechanics, Friel brings to the table the chess-match mentality needed to succeed in pitching. Throw in the fact that he has excellent stuff, Friel is a guy to watch going into this tournament. He’s likely one of the most underrated guys in the whole league.

Prediction: This could definitely be a dark horse team this year. If they can make the necessary adjustments on the basepaths and in the field defensively, I think having a year under their belt will make all the difference. They’ve had a tough divisional drawing, but that doesn’t necessarily prohibit them from moving on. If they can steal one of the games they won’t be favored in, the sky is the limit for this squad. Predicted win total: 1-2, playoffs possible.

Team Preview: Super Smash Brothers

Super Smash Brothers:

Last year: (As Cuban Raft Riders) 0-4, last in East Division

Additions: P Chris DiPrimio

Losses: IF Chris Shelden, OF Nelson Denan, P/OF Vinnie Foschi

Schedule:

11:00am High & Dry

12:15     Flapacamingos

1:30        Belgian Wiffles

2:45        bye

What’s New: The artist formerly known as the Cuban Raft Riders are now under new management. Long-time captain and founder John Bergen has relinquished his role as both, and is now focusing solely on his performance on the field. The new boss is Pete Polo, who has his work cut out for him in making this franchise one of the elites. 3 years ago this team surprised everyone and made the playoffs when no one thought they would. But that squad had deep pitching depth, something this team hasn’t been able to duplicate in more recent years. Couple that with the fact that they had the lowest OPS (On-base plus Slugging) of any team in the tournament last year (.797), it makes for a tough formula to win games with. If the Super Smash Brothers are to live up to anything close to their namesake, they have to be better at the plate.

Hitting: With the small roster overhaul that’s been done, the Smash Bros. return just one HR from last year (Pete Polo). They only hit 4 as a team last year, the least of any team in the tournament. Hitting was a struggle last time around, but with a condensed batting order and the addition of an experienced wiffle-pro in DiPrimio, look for a solid improvement in the offensive statistics this year.

Pitching: Matt Wallace, statistically, appears to be the most-effective pitcher on the roster for this coming year. But with very limited experience, can he be relied on to carry the weight for this team? Unless DiPrimio can log serious, effective innings, this could be an area of struggle again for the Smash Brothers.

Prediction: With changes up and down the organization, they will certainly be more competitive than they were last year, but how much is certainly the question. Can they be a playoff team? In a tough Eastern Division that seems unlikely, but don’t be surprised if they piece together the pitching well enough that they don’t upset some familiar foes once again. Predicted Win total: 1, no playoffs

Report: Hutchings will play, Mandingos pull-off heist

PHOENIX- It seems that a bizarre series of events will result in 5-time all-star Ryan Hutchings returning to Major League Wiffleball, and suiting up for the Mandingos after all. GM Sam Hinkie, fresh off his resignation in Philadelphia, took over the Mandingos job and his first move was acquiring Hutchings’ rights, along with the rights to 2 other players and liquid assets from the Flapacamingos, who needed desperately to clear roster and salary cap space. Originally however, Hutchings was anticipated to spend this upcoming year playing for Paulistano Unimed of the Brazillian Wiffle Alliance. But during his tour of the area, there was an apparent misunderstanding that upset team officials of Paulistano Unimed, surrounding the identification of the Christ the Redeemer statue. This caused the team to terminate the agreement between themselves and Hutchings, leaving the only team holding his rights being the Mandingos. A final agreement is yet to be signed between Hutchings and the Mandingos, but things appear to be headed in that direction shortly. The Flapacamingos, who aren’t short on offense, still have to feel silly about how this looks to be turning out, basically giving up one of the best players of all-time, and having to pay to do it. Wifflepalooza X will take place on Sunday, August 7^th, 2016 on Old Farm Drive in Vineland, NJ.

#WP9 Stats - Batting

FLAPACS                             AVG.   AB   R   H   HR   RBI   BB   SO   TB
Matt Bocchese                        .429      7     3    3    1       2       1      3      6

Jake Lambert                          .500     14   10   7    4       9       0      4      19

Ryan Ricci                               .438     16   6    7    3       9        0     4      16

Pat Ney                                   .000     6     0    0    0       0       0      4      0

Al Etter                                    .625    16    7   10   2       6       0      3      16

Kris Lapsley                            .250     4     1    1    0       0        0     1       1

Ryan Hutchings                       .500     12    5    6    4       9        1     2      18

Kerry Cerana                          .333     6     3    2     1      1        1     2        5

Perry Barse                             .500     4     1    2     0      0        3     2        2

CUBAN RAFT RIDERS       AVG.   AB   R   H   HR   RBI   BB   SO   TB
John Bergen                            .100     10    1    1     0      2       1      2      1

Chris Sheldon                          .000      5     0    0     0     0        0      4      0

Pete Polo                                .555      9      5    5     1     4       3      1      8

Matt Wallace                          .154     13     2    2     0     1       1      1       2

Eric Roig                                .167       6     1    1     0      0       0      2      1

Troy Cervini                           .438       7     1    3     0      0       5      2      3

Nelson Denan                        .364      11    2     4    2      6      2       5      10

Vinnie Foschi                         .143       7      1    1    1     1       1       2       4

GOODFELLAS                    AVG.   AB   R   H   HR   RBI   BB   SO   TB
Rocco Lombardo                   .471      17    9   8     4       8      6      6     20

Allen Rivera                           .667      18    8   12   2        6      5      6    12

Mike Mazzochi                      .700      10    4    7     2      5      2       2    14

Brian Stanzione                      .550      20   12  11    5      8      3       6    26

Jeff Lunsford                         .364       11    5    4     2      6      4       2    10

Justin Geri                             .611       18    12  11    8     18     5     0     35

Ernie Scoma                         .375        8      3    3     0      0      2      2     3

Mike Tedesco                      .200        5      2     1     1      3     5      3     4

MANDINGOS                     AVG.   AB   R   H   HR   RBI   BB   SO   TB
Jeremy Wright                        .438     16    5    7    2       6       1      5     11

Dustin Graiff                           .500     16    4    8    1       2       0      1      9

Dimitri Paraskevas                 .000       2     0    0    0       0       0      1      0

Emory Pierson                       .385      13    2    5    0       4       0      2      6

Kyle Lunsford                       .462      13    4    6    0        3      0       1      6

GOON SQUAD                  AVG.   AB   R   H   HR   RBI   BB   SO   TB
Tyler Martini                          .389     18    8   7     3       8      7       5     16

Dylan Burns                           .158     19    2   3     1       5      3       6      6

Johnny Malatesta                   .500     20    9   10   5       7      5       6     25

Tom Derer                            .600     10    1    6     0      1       2       3      6

Danny Martini                       .267     15    1     4    0      0       2       7      4

Eddie Parks                          .154     13     1    2     0      0      2       6      2

Rocco Lupi                           .450     20     4    9     2      5      3      7      15

HIGH & DRY                     AVG.   AB   R   H   HR   RBI   BB   SO   TB
Billy Errig                              .267     15    7   4     2       3      4      3      10

Earl Errig                              .750      12   4    9     2      7      5       1      15

Joey Ingram                          .385     13    6    5     2      4      7      1      11

Greg Kuhlen                         .091     11    1    1     0      1      2      4       1

Sean Friel                             .200      5     1     1    1      4      4       2      4

Ryan Savage                        .375      8      4     3    2      5      4      4      9

Danny Errig                          .636     11     6     7     2     5      5      3     13

BELGIAN WIFFLES         AVG.   AB   R   H   HR   RBI   BB   SO   TB
Justin Sampson                     .261     23    5   6     1       3      3      6      8

Rich Suhr                             .478     23    9   11    2      5      1       5      15

Tommy Rullo                       .667     27   15   18   9     16      2      2      44

Nick Manger                       .423     26    8    11   4      8       1      8      23

Kevin Fischer                      .750     20   10    15   6     10     5      3      33

Kyle Stevenson                   .348     23    9      8    7     12     5      3      29
 
BALCO BOMBERS         AVG.   AB   R   H   HR   RBI   BB   SO   TB
Shawn Strubeck                 .250      16    4    4    1       3      4      4      7

Eric Bomenblit                   .545      22  11   12    8      17     1      2     36

Paul Nyitray                       .471      17   6     8    5      10     4      4     23

Mike Sheridan                   .474      19    7    9     4      11     4      3     21

Rob Humes                       .800      20    11  16    3     3       4      2     25

Eric Leonard                     .231      13     6    3     1      1      8       8     6




TEAM OFFENSIVE STATS
                                         AVG.   AB    R   H    HR  RBI   BB   SO   TB
GOODFELLAS                .533    107   55  57   24    54     32    27    124
BELGIAN WIFFLES       .486    142   56  69   29    54     19     27   152
BALCO BOMBERS        .486    107   45   52   22    45     25    23   118
FLAPACAMINGOS       .447      85    36  38   15    36     6      25    83
MANDINGOS                 .433     60    15   26    3    15      1     10     32
HIGH & DRY                   .400     75    29   30   11   29     31    18    63
GOON SQUAD               .357    115   26   41   11   26     24    40     74
CUBAN RAFT RIDERS  .250     68    14   17    4    14     13    19     29


Notes:
Offensive records were broken all over the place. Tommy Rullo (9), Justin Geri (8), Eric Bomenblit (8) & Kyle Stevenson (7), ALL broke the previous single tournament Home Run record (Al Etter-6, WP1), which was set in the first tournament and had not been touched since. Justin Geri tied the single tournament RBI record, also set by Al Etter in WP1, with 18. Rob Humes set a new single tournament Batting Average mark, at .800, previously held by Tyler Martini in WP7 (.700). Tommy Rullo also broke the single tournament hits and runs scored records, 18 & 15 respectively. The previous hits record was held by Jacob Bertonazzi (12, WP6) and the previous runs scored record was 12, held by multiple players.

Multiple offensive team records were broken. Both the Belgian Wiffles and Goodfellas broke the previous HR record, as well as the Runs Scored & RBI records. Also the Belgian Wiffles became the first team to reach 150 Total Bases in a single tournament.


MVP- Tommy Rullo (Belgian Wiffles)
Cy Young- Mike Tedesco (Goodfellas)
Title Game MVP- Kevin Fischer (Belgian Wiffles)
Most Improved Player- Nelson Denan (Cuban Raft Riders)
Top Rookie- Eric Bomenblit (Balco Bombers)

WP9 All-Star Team
P Mike Tedesco (GF) (Cy Young)
P Kevin Fischer (BW)
P Allen Rivera (GF)
IF Justin Geri (GF)
IF Eric Bomenblit (BAL)
IF Brian Stanzione (GF)
OF Tommy Rullo (BW) (MVP)
OF Johnny Malatesta (GS)
OF Rob Humes (BAL)
UT Jake Lambert (FLA)
UT Rocco Lombardo (GF)
UT Paul Nyitray (BAL)

# of all-stars by team
Goodfellas - 5
Balco Bombers - 3
Belgian Wiffles - 2
Goon Squad - 1
Flapacamingos - 1
Mandingos - 0
High & Dry - 0
Cuban Raft Riders - 0

Goodfellas tie for most amount of all-stars in a single tournament with 5 (Flapacamingos in WP5, WP8)

First time in tournament history that the Goon Squad & Flapacamingos have had less than 2 all-stars


*-pitching stats to be posted soon