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Wiffolution 51: The Wiffleball Revolution?
A Boy Among Men
In May of 1996, this league was on the cusp of doing
something that could set it on a whole new path. For two seasons,
Scott, Terry, and I basically had a league that consisted of ourselves
playing ourselves. We were tired of it. Playing only two other guys
for two years gets old, especially when you're an impatient teenager.
We knew that something needed to be done and we set out to get it
done. At the end of the school year, my sophomore year of high school,
we invited Luke Carriere, Nate Stuempfig, Matt Holmberg, and Joey
Holt out to play that summer. All four of them had played baseball
against or with Scott, Terry, and myself in little league or high
school, and we knew they were fun guys who would definitely keep
the game from getting too stale. They agreed to play, and all of
the sudden, wiffleball was exciting again.
Scott had a friend though, not known to anyone else
in the league, who also wanted to play. He was not a baseball player,
and by my own admission, seemed to be "not" a lot of other things
as well, judging by his tiny frame. I'm no giant, but I can say
this. He stood a generous 5'6", which was relatively average, but
he weighed a mere 115 lbs, at most. He was as close to a pole as
a kid can get. Aside from Scott, he was quiet around everyone in
the league and looked more out of place than Cal Ripken at the All-Star
Game. However, he stuck around, finishing with 92 plate-appearances,
more than Matt Holmberg and Nate Stuempfig combined.
His little arms didn't provide much in terms of
competition for the massive artillery the league brought to the
plate. His little arms provided no support for the longball, and
in those 92 plate appearances, only one batted ball traveled far
enough to clear the fence. Still, he continued to play. After every
strikeout, people would laugh as the kid began the art of throwing
bats in disgust. Still, he'd keep coming up to the plate, seemingly
begging for more punishment. Pitcher-killer Scott Carmichael would
take the kid 110 feet over the house in left and follow it up with
a surely-aggravating-for-a-pitcher 4-5 minute leisurely swin around
the bases. Still, Scott would never see anything less than 100%
from the kid in the next AB. The kid was, in the most literal sense,
a boy among men. The thing is, HE KEPT PLAYING.
Casey Sylvester is five years older now, and no
remnent of the kid who was a rookie in 1996 exists today. Coming
off a season that saw him hit 24 homeruns, drive in 48 runs, and
lead the league with a .413 batting average, Casey remains the biggest
question mark. How can the kid who less than only two years ago
hit .235 with 11 HR's make that big a jump that quickly? Many critics
are still not believers, and await this season as the one that puts
Casey back under the umbrella named "below-average." That is how
unexpected Casey's 2000 performance was. He played that way for
155 AB's last season, and people are still certain it was a fluke.
No one knew
After a late start during the 1998 season, another
player got some big-time experience in 1999. His batting prowess
however, was fodder for jokes among players. He insisted on batting
with an untaped bat, and promptly hit as if his bat was untaped,
hitting a miniscule 5 HR's in 170 AB's. His batting average was
a mere .252. It could have been worse, but fear was the last thing
entering pitcher's minds when he stepped to the plate.
Standing
taller than Casey did in '96, this guy was equally as skinny. At
6'3", he weighed a paltry 171 lbs. His arms were barely thicker
than the untaped bat he meakly swung at the plate. Something happened
though. Many don't know, but for the few who saw it, it was the
1999 playoffs. He used a taped bat for the first time that year,
and showed a morsel of the cookie that would be the 2000 regular
season. In those playoffs, he carried his team to the finals and
wound up with a .340 batting average and 12 RBI's in only 5 games.
The following season, he promised more of the same, informing he
was officially through with untaped bats and would put on a show
in 2000. He did just that, first wrapping tape on his bat, then
wrapping headaches on opponent pitchers. Not only was he hitting
homeruns much more often, but he was simply, well, putting on a
show. He finished among the league leaders with a .344 batting average,
.452 on-base percentage, 29 runs, and opposite-way rips.
Still, Jeff Morrison remains a relative unknown
in the league. Players don't know him very well, since the only
time he sees any of us is the Sunday gameday every other weekend.
James Vassar was still embarrased beyond belief when giving up a
jack to Jeff last season, threatening to quit if it ever happened
again. Jeff won the first seven games he played in during the 2000
season, but no one cared. Hell, no one knew but Jeff. His
problem was that he wasn't winning games with 3 homeruns or 8 RBI's.
After seemingly every game, players would look in astonishment at
a line score that said Jeff went 4-6 with a double and two runs
scored...and a win.
Casey and Jeff will both be in the same line-up
for Wiffolution 51 this season, and nearly every critic is writing
them off as nothing more than pre-season warm-ups for the other four
playoff contenders.
"I'll make sure it won't happen."
Never one to shy away from seemingly unattainable
goals, Jeff is staying true to form. "To tell you the truth, I'd
like to hit .400 this season," says Jeff, with "I'm not joking"
written all over his face. "I think 12-13 HR's is a reasonable number
to shoot for, and I'd like to drive in about 30. That isn't my goal
though you see. I know why I was picked--to get on base, and that
is what I plan to do, so my teammates can bring me home." No one
questions Jeff's desire before the season...it's the mid-season
that everyone is pointing at, noting that Jeff has skipped town
for large periods of time in two consecutive seasons, the most recent
excursion of which saw him replaced in the 2000 playoffs. However,
Jeff isn't worried. "In all reality, I'm shooting for being at nine
of the twelve gamedays. The playoffs though are a totally different
level. My team will need me, and I give my word to do whatever it
takes to bring it in September."
Don't worry Jeff, no one's expecting your team to
be playing much in September. Well, that is except for Casey, who
states that his primary goal is to be present at every single game
scheduled for Wiffolution 51. Shortly after he discussed his personal
goals for the season (mid-high .300's BA, 25+ HR's, reduction in
strikeouts, and an ERA at or below 2.25), his critics were brought
up. "I look at all the five teams and I think a case could be made
for any of them winding up in last place. But us...4th or 5th place?...
(laughs) I don't think so. I'll make sure it won't happen."
The confidence in Casey is somewhat new. Thanks
to four years of being considered "below-average", Casey has had
no reason to be cocky, like others in the league. When you discuss
his team, a team that in all reality may suck if he doesn't play
that well, his teammates are mentioned before he is. "If Dean pitches
the way he's capable of, Jeff doesn't get too frustrated with himself,
we'll do pretty well. Mickey's not too bad either; he certainly
doesn't seem to tire much. All we really need to do is minimize
the mistakes and be willing to play good D." Jeff Morrison echos
Casey's self-less modesty. "Mickey can hit, and I know he wants
to win. We played together last year and it was apparent that the
kid was all about the W," said Jeff in a separate interview. "Dean
should do really well also, as long as he listens to the veterans
on the team." In a league where "I" is the most popular word, Casey
and Jeff are in the minority. Team ball...a foreign concept, soon
to be practiced by a team favored to finish dead last.
Combining the fact that nearly everybody thinks
this team is "Casey + 3 roster fills" and the fact that nearly everybody
thinks Casey's 2000 season won't be repeated leads to the conclusion
that this team will do little damage. No one thinks Casey can be
a leader, citing that he is a relative recluse in the league who
really doesn't know much about baseball. Jeff isn't sold however.
"Look at who he drafted. His picks say he sees potential, and I
see a team that will be the most close-knit in the league. He looks
like a leader from where I'm standing." Many know Jeff had his heart
set on playing for the Horsemen, but don't let that lead you to
thinking he's disappointed with Casey and Wiffolution 51. "Casey
and I are on the same page, and I feel honored to be able to play
with him. The guy put up staggering numbers last year, and as long
as he's with us, this team will be up there," says Jeff. "I have
much respect for him on and off the field, and look forward
to proving people wrong. This line-up we have, it has the potential
to have at least one baserunner every single inning."
"Jeff knows what it takes," says Casey. "He's been
there and done that, and he wants to win more than anyone else.
Pick on his pitching all you want, Jeff wins his games." Casey doesn't
have respect in every facet of his game though. Rival Scott Carmichael
will be the first to say that Casey can't come through under pressure
situations. He knows Casey better than anybody else, and states
that Casey failing with something on the line happens in more areas
than wiffleball. He admits Casey can do damage, but only as long
as it "isn't 3-2, two outs, bottom of the last." When asked whether
he saw any truth in that, Casey replied calmly, "I don't have the
stats in front of me; I couldn't tell you. I do know that I'm not
afraid of failing in front of others. If I feel pressure, it's solely
from myself. However, let's turn the table. Who is Scott to talk?
I think Scott has his own problems with pressure, problems maybe
he should address before pointing fingers at me."
Respect is given among Wiffolution 51, but only
from within. The team praises itself while the rest of the world
waits to see how many runs they're going to give up. After venting
for a bit on his detractors, Casey leaned back in his seat, and
looked at the ceiling. "Whatever...I can hit anyone. Jeff can hit
anyone...it'll soon be put-up or shut-up time. I can't wait."
Neither can I.
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