TOURNAMENT RECAPS

In 1998, the eigth annual wiffleball tournament had a new home, now located in beautiful Billerica, Massachusetts. While walking through Billerica, you are sure to find many sleeveless shirts, mustaches, and 4 wheel drive vehicles. What made 1998's tournament so unique was the fact that there were nine newly formed teams involved. Some teams were: NWO's Jacked Hammas , Turkey Dinnah, Bluethunder, SYLK, Team Don't Give a Shit, M.W.A.(Militant Wiffleball Association), The Isotopes, and a revamped Dad's Boys. This year's competition was stiff, and unlike past years, no one ran away with the title. Teams were evenly matched, and in the end, Blue Thunder was crowned champion. Consisting of Paul Stone, Jimmy Sullivan, and Brendan McGrath, Blue Thunder possessed the perfect balance of speed, power and heart. The Finals pitted NWO's Jacked Hammahs against Blue Thunder. The big bats that propelled the NWO Jacked Hammahs into the Finals were silenced by the pin point accuracy of Paul Stone's pitching, Brendan McGrath's hustle, and Jim Sullivan's heart.

Having won 3 straight Wiffleball Titles, Bomb Squad came into the 1995 Tournament the undisputed favorite. With no prospect of another team giving the Bomb Squad test, it looked like they would cruise to the championship game. But like we find every year, there were plenty of surprises. One being the consistent play of a young "Underdogs" team, made up of Jeff Sullivan, Tim Likosky, and Neil Flukinger. The strong bat of Likosky, and the steady pitching of Jeff Sullivan carried the "Underdogs" to the playoffs. Another team, whose roster looked more like a United Nations guest list than a Wiffleball lineup, the "Playboys", were also in attendance. With Asian-American George Chen, Italy native Teriggi Ciccone, and African-American Keith Farmer, the "Playboys" dazzled their opponents (and the fans) with their spandex & bow tie uniforms. Unfortunately, it's how you play and not how you look that wins championships. The "Playboys" did not make the playoffs. But probably the biggest surprise of the year was the "New Breed". A team that was formed under much controversy. To be continued....

1994 was remembered for having great uniforms and for the change in location. The fourth WBT was moved to Bethel, Maine, on the edge of Bryant Pond.*** The new stadium was a breath of fresh air for the competitor's and their fans. With a bleacher section that could hold 35, and a luxury box capable of fitting 15, Steamer Stadium was truly ahead of its time. Teams brought their different styles of play to the tournament. There were the Bud Light drinking antics of Inta Summer, the cigarette smoking/head shaving style of Dad's Boys, the laid back approach of The Butchers, and the cocky attitudes of The Bomb Squad. But one team that was looking to make a big splash was Soul Patrol. Consisting of Steve Chester, Mike Anderson, and Sean Christie, Soul Patrol was looking to make it deep into the postseason. But not even their tight pants, jock straps, and them music by Isaac Hayes could help Soul Patrol take home the title. This year's title game matched The Bomb Squad and The Fugitives (a.k.a. Los Banditos Rojos). It was a hard fought game, but in the end it was The Bomb Squad that took home the trophy and prize money. And like last year, Dave Lord's constant taunting was caught on video, and is still being reviewed by the comissioner. With this title, The Bomb Squad made it three titles in as many years, and brought up the question: "Is this the greatest wiffleball team ever assembled?".

1993's tournament will always be remembered for the viscious beating David Boffa served to an innocent air condiitoner. But that will be explained later. The Bomb Squad was back once again but there was another team that was making noise that year, Los Banditos Rojos. For those non-Spanish-speaking individuals, that means "The Red Bandits" (atleast we think). Los Banditos Rojos cosisted of David Boffa, Todd Anderson, and Bryan Albonesi, and they were considered to be the biggest threat to dethrone The Bomb Squad. Armed with a lefty fireballer, speed from the left side, and a big bat in the 3rd spot, it looked like Los Banditos Rojos would take the title. "Banditos" cruised through the regular season, taking out the likes of the Bad Vibes, The Butchers, and Heeb and A Half. In the finals they would meet The Bomb Squad, affectionately known as Bum Squat throughout the league. With the double elimination format of this year's tourney, the undefeated Los Banditos Rojos only had to win one game in the finals, where as The Bomb Squad had to win back to back games, a feat that no one had accomplished against the Banditos. But as we have learned, you can never count out Bum Squat. Stone's arm, Chase's bat, and Lord's mouth proved to be too much for Los Banditos to handle. The Bomb Squad defeated Los Banditos twice and were crowned champoions. Giving them back to back titles. In a way only Dave Lord can do, he taunted David Boffa after the last out was recorded, Boffa then proceeded to take his anger out on a nearby air conditioner. Merclessly beating the air conditioner to it's last cooling breath. Rumors have it that a videotape is available that captured every sound of the beating. Perhaps it will appear on this website someday.

In 1992, a new point system was used to put together teams. Players were ranked as either 1's, 2's, or 3's. And a team of three could not have a point total more than seven. Using this system, The Bomb Squad would be formed. Using David Lord (1), Paul Stone (3), and Geoff Chase (3), the Bomb Squad was able to put together a team would be a force to be reckoned with for the next 5 years, until their breakup in 1997. The Bomb Squad rolled over its competition that year, and behind the pitching of Paul Stone they were able to win the first of their 4 titles.

In 1991, a young Batmen team won the inagural Wiffleball Championship. With Mark McInnis pitching his team to the Championship game, Bryan Albonesi's bat took over from there. Hitting a game winning moonshot over the centerfield bleachers and securing the Batmen's place in Wiffleball history. Albonesi was named of the 1991 tournament, and was presented with a $30 check. With a solid nucleus of Rob Wakeham and Bryan Albonesi, and the consistent pitching of Mark McInnis, The Batmen were being compared to the Big Red Machine of the 70's. But free agency and turmoil between the groups' members led them to break up. McInnis went on to form "The Joads", Wakeham formed a team that would later be known as "Cooter's Hooters", and Albonesi's hip flexer injury forced him into a DH role that hampered his production in 1992.