We’re less than 2 weeks out and preparation for this year's tournament is being ramped up. The 13th edition of the world's greatest wiffleball spectacle has a field set to challenge records and possibly give us our best tournament yet. While there's only one new addition, the six returning teams are all formidable enough to push for a title. There is history on the line as well, as the Goodfellas are seeking to become the first franchise to win 3 straight Wifflepalooza championships. Twice we've had back-to-back winners (Flapacs WP1 & WP2 and Purple Drank Squad in WP3 & WP4), and the Goodfellas themselves reached the title game 3 years in a row from WP4 to WP6. But no one in the 12 year history of this tournament has anyone taken home the trident 3 straight times. All six other teams aim to keep that history alive.
11am games
Goodfellas @ Bert Brigade
The premier re-match of our tournament comes right away, as we run back the matchup from last year’s title game. As most will recall, the Goodfellas defeated the Bert Brigade 7-3 to win their 3rd Wifflepalooza championship. But 5 of the Goodfellas runs came on a Fence Rule Penalty, as during the 4th inning, with the Bert Brigade leading 3-0, Jeff Lunsford hit a home run over the left-center field wall. Tournament MVP Sawyer Brown lost track of where he was on the field and slowly fell through the fence, breaking off one of the posts, causing tournament officials to have to stop play to fix it. By rule, that is a 5-run penalty, which gave the Goodfellas a 6-3 lead, that they would not relinquish. No doubt Bert Brigade is coming back this year with vengeance on their mind. This should be one of the best games of the whole tournament, right out of the gate
Super Smash Bros @ Wifflebots
The Palooza debut of our latest entry, the Wifflebots, pits them up against long time participant Super Smash Bros. The Smash Bros, captained by Pete Polo, went winless last year in what amounted to a rough day all around. Polo remains optimistic that his team is due for a comeback year, but they’ll need more consistency both on the mound and at the plate. The Wifflebots, while all rookies, have an impressive team of athletes, led by pitcher Cole Vanderslice. I have no idea what to expect for this game.
11:45am
Mandingos @ Flapacamingos
Another re-match from WP12, both of these teams will once again open with each other. They each came one game from facing each other again in the title game, and both squads are expected to contend once again. Last year’s game saw Rocco Lupi throw a gem, frustrating the Flapacs over 6 innings en route to a 7-4 Mandingos win. It’s the only time these two franchises have ever faced each other. Both teams want to get off to a hot start, so look for each team’s best pitcher (Flapacs-Ricci, Dingos-TBD) to start in this one.
Wifflebots @ Goon Squad
In what’s sure to be a matchup the commissioner will regret allowing to happen, Goon Squad stumbles into their first matchup of the day. Their opponent will be a familiar one, as the Wifflebots are essentially just a Goon Squad minor league squad. Same level of degeneracy, just with less tournament experience. Depending on how seriously the Goons are in winning of some kind, they may throw their ace (Jeff Ronchetti) if, for no other reason, to not risk the humiliation of losing to Jiminez’s brother and his friends. I would imagine that’s a priority for them no matter how drunk they are.
12:30pm
Bert Brigade @ Super Smash Bros
The Brigade gets back to work in their 2nd contest, where they’ll face the Smash Bros. Having both played one game to this point, each team will be on to their #2 pitcher. This is where the margin grows. The Smash Bros have never shown to have any solid type of #2 arm, while Bert Brigade flashed signs of multiple solid pitchers last year. Anthony Donato won the Cy Young award, but it was actually Rick Fifer who had the lowest ERA, at 1.91. This distinct advantage should give the Brigade an edge in this matchup. Bert Brigade won the only previous matchup last year.
Flapacamingos @ Goodfellas
Another rematch from a premier game of WP12, the Flapacs and Goodfellas meet for the first time since last year’s semi-final extra inning thriller, which saw Jeff Lunsford hit a walk-off game winner off of Eric Bomenblit to send the G’Fellas to the title game. Both of these squads have plans to be playing late into the afternoon once again. It’s also the 2nd matchup for each of these two squads so we’ll likely be looking at their #2 pitchers also. For the G’Fellas that will be Justin Geri, who’s won the Title Game MVP each of the last 2 years, and recently did well to silence Flapacs bats in a scrimmage. For the Flapacs, that’ll likely be newcomer Mike Sheridan, who in just one completed inning for the Back Door Bandits had a 21.00 ERA. His only scoreless inning however, did come against the Goodfellas. Flapacs lead the all-time series 5-3.
1:15pm
Goon Squad @ Mandingos
Another rematch of a historic showdown, 2018’s matchup between the Goons & Dingos became the only game in Palooza history decided via coin toss. The Mandingos won the toss, after the game went only 4 innings, over an hour and a half and was still tied 24-24. It’s one of the biggest disgraces of a game this tournament, or any tournament has ever seen. The game’s scorekeeper walked off after just 3 batters. It was a meatball fest beyond your wildest imagination. After the Goons playing the Bots, this is the 2nd biggest mistake the Commissioner made in creating the schedule. In no earthly way should this game be played, but come 1:15..ish on Field 2, you’ll have it. By this time both teams are also playing their 2nd contest of the day, but they’ll both be quite drunk also, so talking strategy here would be pointless. Either way, whoever’s winning after 45 minutes gets the W. Mandingos lead the all-time series 2-1.
Bert Brigade @ Wifflebots
I would think we’d see Donato here for the Brigade, especially if things go according to plan for them. No history in this matchup obviously as the Bots are making their first ever appearance. But the third game of the day is always crucial for teams. 2-0? Win and you’re in. 1-1? A win puts you in prime spot, while a loss leaves you at the mercy of others. 0-2? Elimination game. So both squads will be putting their best foot forward.
2:00pm
Mandingos @ Smash Bros
The Mandingos are looking for a 4th consecutive playoff appearance, which has only been done by 3 other franchises (Goodfellas, Flapacs, Goon Squad) in the history of the tournament. If the first two games go according to plan, this will be their chance to punch their ticket. The Smash Bros will need it just as much, for the same reasons listed in the game above, as they look to reach the playoffs for the first time since WP7 (2013). Mandingos lead the all-time series 2-1.
Flapacamingos @ Goon Squad
The 2pm window concludes with our tournament’s oldest rivalry. The Goons and Flapacs are a rivalry as old as time, and with a healthy dose of disrespect tossed in, there’s no love lost between these two teams. While they do tend to gather for the occasional drunken shenanigans, make no mistake, this game is circled on the schedule for both teams. This rivalry has produced numerous historic events in Palooza history. The first ever walk-off homer (Mark Ronchetti in WP2), Pat Ney’s perfect game in WP3, the first and only time we’ve had two grand slams in the same inning (Kyle Lunsford & Ryan Ricci in WP5), and a 3-homer game in the title game, causing the first ever Title Game MVP from the losing squad (Nino Bonanno in WP8). You can likely expect both teams’ aces on the hill, as they did back in WP11 (2017). The Goons ultimately won that game, another instant classic, 5-4 in 13 innings. It’s the 3rd game for both squads, so it’s importance is paramount. Flapacamingos lead the all-time series 6-4.
2:45pm
Wifflebots @ Goodfellas
The final tournament game for the Bots, and the 3rd for the G’Fellas, it’s almost impossible to predict what these two squads will look like by then. Best case scenario, both teams are fighting for a playoff spot give a real effort. We may see the G’Fellas throw Tedesco here regardless of record with it being their 3rd game. This is the part of the day that separates real title contenders from the overly inebriated.
Goon Squad @ Bert Brigade
The final tournament contest for both squads. These two teams met for the first time last season, with the Bert Brigade taking home the win by a score of 3-2.
3:30pm
Super Smash Bros @ Flapacamingos
These two squads have faced off quite a bit over the years. At this point in the day, it’s likely the deeper team will have the advantage, so we’d give the edge to the Flapacs here, but strange things happen in this tournament, and strange things happen when these two get together. The expansion Raft Riders (now Super Smash Bros), took the first three matchups, three years in a row from the heavily favored Flapacs. In the years since, the Flapacs have evened the score, but these two almost always play each other close.
Goodfellas @ Mandingos
A rematch of the championship from WP11, the Dingos & G’Fellas resume their lopsided rivalry in the final tournament game of the day. The Mandingos by most measure, have a very tough schedule, so it would benefit them to snag a few victories before they close up against the 2-time defending champs. The Goodfellas sent Geri to the mound each of the last two times they faced the Dingos, and both times it paid off. Geri has dominated the constantly fluctuating Mandingos lineup, which leads us to believe they may try that route again. Goodfellas lead the all-time series 5-1.
