[MAW] 9 Random Observations from Wiffle Wars IV

Let’s go around the field.

1. Dave Capobianco Rises to the Top

Typically, the most memorable player and moments come from a member of the team that won the championship. Not on Saturday. Dave Capobianco and the Risers defied all odds and played their way to the semifinals, eventually losing to Voodoo 3-0. There were many impressive facets to their performance. The team was shorthanded with only 3 total players and 1 pitcher, lost their first game in 11 innings and had to win the next 2 to make the playoffs, won their opening playoff round game against OG Goon Squad, and held the eventual champs, Voodoo, to a 0-0 tie into the bottom of the 5th inning. Cap deservedly got a standing ovation from all the players after he limped off the field as a winner despite the defeat. Perhaps one of the greatest individual performances in MAW’s history.

2. Not older, experienced

It wasn’t just Dave, his 2 teammates Jerry Hill and Tim Cooke provided remarkable performances as well. Remove batting averages, homeruns, and individual numbers, Jerry and Tim both have a history of doing whatever it takes to help their teams win games. Both deserve a lot of credit with helping the Risers navigate to the playoffs. The Risers’ roster on Saturday had an average age of 46 years old.

3. Voodoo puts the competition on notice

It may have taken to the 5th tournament to win their first MAW tournament of 2021, but Voodoo showed why they may be the favorites to win the title this season. After a loss to the Meats, Voodoo won 4 straight games to win the tournament. They were led by Jordan Robles who had a homerun in all 3 playoff games, including the game winning shots in the quarterfinals against ERL and semifinals against the Risers. Teammates David Wood and Sean Steffy joined him, both hitting 2 homeruns in the finals against the Juggernauts.  

4. Small Ball

Yes, the Meats were hitting some bombs during the tournament, but it was their small ball that helped them defeat the Dinos. In back-to-back innings, the Meats used a sacrifice fly to help score a run, which eventually helped them to a 4-0 win. Small ball might not be common but the Meats demonstrated that it can still be useful in tight games. There was also increased chatter at this tournament about bunting and a couple of players even squared around. Is it only a matter of time before we see MAW’s first successful bunt attempt?

5. Longballs by Longballs

The Ridley Park squad took the opposite approach as they relied on the homeruns throughout their pool play games. Down late in both their games to the Yaks and the Waves, the Longballs hit homeruns to tie against the Yaks (before eventually losing on a walk-off walk) and Dylan Harshaw hit a 2-run homer to help them beat the Waves.

6. Three’s Company

Having a full squad helps in many areas, including having pitching depth, some rest and time off from constantly batting, and probably most importantly having a full set of players in the field. However, 50% of the teams in the playoffs played as a 3-man squad: Meats, ERL, Risers and ACES.

7. Immaculate Inning

It may not be the same as professional baseball — 3 strikeouts on 9 pitches — but it is still impressive in wiffleball. Toast had one when he came in relief against the Risers and struck out 3 hitters on 6 pitches.  

8. Well Done

The Meats didn’t repeat as tournament champions, but they once again impressed on Saturday. Playing as a 3-man teams (Kyle VonSchleusigen, Vin Lea, Dougie Baker) the Meats were perhaps the most dominant team in pool play. Kyle and Vin were both dominant on the mound and in the batter’s box. They were the only team to defeat Voodoo, the eventual champions. When this team is at full-strength, watch out.

9. Four in Five

There have been 4 different teams that have won the first 5 tournaments: ERL (2), and the Juggernauts, Meats and Voodoo all with 1. Who might be the next new team to win a tournament? East Coast Elite, Aces, Longballs and Shortballs are among the teams looking to capture a tournament title.