Team Preview: Waffle Stompers

Waffle Stompers:

Last Year: 4-1, West Division Champs, L to Belgian Wiffles in semi-final, 18-12

Additions: Evan Mitchell, Zach Zieniuk

Losses: None

Schedule:

11:00am  Mandingos

12:15     Goodfellas

1:30        off

2:45        Goon Squad

What’s New: Other than a name change… Not a whole lot. This team continues to dip into its well of talent, and has added a couple new pieces to the lineup. Both rookies to the tournament, Evan Mitchell and Zach Zieniuk are both solid arms to log innings for the Stompers. A more than capable lineup returns, this year likely with 2 flex spots at the bottom.

Hitting: Most of the same lineup that tallied 22 homers and 45 runs returns this year. Eric Bomenblit is expected to lead-off once again and for good reason. His 2.209 OPS would’ve shattered previous tournament records, if he hadn’t been overshadowed by multiple players in last year’s tournament. He’s followed in the order by Paul Nyitray, Mike Sheridan and Rob Humes, all formidable hitters who put up great numbers last year. The question for this team will not only be consistency, but will adding more players to a deep lineup cause an issue with opportunity? Meaning, are there enough plate appearances to go around? The only way this team doesn’t put up eye-popping numbers once again is if they lose focus at the plate somehow.

Pitching: The mound was a strength for this team last year right up until their playoff game. They had given up just 18 runs in 4 games prior to the playoffs, then gave up 18 in the playoff game alone. It started with Bomenblit, who had a really solid tournament going until the onslaught. But the Belgian Wiffles didn’t stop with him, as they then peppered Sheridan all over the park. They scored 18 runs in 6 innings, scoring no fewer than 2 in any inning. So when looking at their pitching staff, try to take that game for what it’s worth. The Wiffles were a team of destiny on a war-path in that game. The Waffle Stompers will still be equipped with 2 top-notch pitchers and as stated previously, may be adding a couple more with their offseason transactions (Mitchell, Zieniuk).

Prediction: The talent here is impossible to ignore. Barring the Waffle Stompers running into another team of destiny, or just having a terrible day, they’ll be there come playoff time. What they do with that opportunity makes all the difference. Predicted win total: 2, playoffs probable.

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

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