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2008 Wiffleball World Series

Wiffleball Special: 2008 SERIES PREVIEW

Winning four consecutive championships is among the most amazing accomplishments in sports. This year, the Greek Village 301's will have the rare chance to achieve such a feat and etch their names into the annals of wiffleball immortality. If they can do it, they will be mentioned amongst the greatest dynasties of all time. On the other hand, if the Tiananmen Square Tanks can stop them, they would be regarded as one of the greatest stoppers of all time. After all, in the same year as we saw the New York Giants upset the undefeated New England Patriots, anything can happen.

Keep in mind, these are not the same Tanks we've seen fall to the 301's the past three years. There is a new man at the helm - Zach Roe. In the off-season, Roe purchased the team from long-time owner Josh Williams. Williams was retained as the team's pitcher, however, making them no-less formidable than before. Will new leadership end the championship drought in Tiananmen? That remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure: this is a different team. At the draft, Roe shook things up, drafting wiffleball's most-winning player in Casey Zimmerman (4 rings) and the most-hyped rookie in Keith Dubs. New blood may be just what the Tanks need.

On the other side, the 301's come into this season with the core of their dynasty still intact, as the old guard of Joey Kotsovos and Jamison McAndie look to bring down the ticker-tape once again this season at the Greek Village. In addition, they came home from the draft as big winners as they put a 301's uniform on Scott Williams.

The biggest story heading into this season is the new blood that has been infused into these two clubs, both on the field and in the owner's box. How will these players fit into their new teams and respond to new management? It should make for an interesting series. And at the heart of it, the rivalry is still as good as ever. No love has been lost between these long-time rivals.

OFFENSE

TIANANMEN SQUARE TANKS: For the first time in five years, Scott Williams will not be penciled into the Tanks' lineup this year. At the draft, the 301's used their first pick to pry the long-time Tank away from Tiananmen. Will the Tanks be able to make up for this loss? As always, the Tanks will look to Josh Williams to provide most of the punch. Williams had a career season last year, launching a series-record 16 homeruns. In the wake of Scott Williams' departure, the Tanks will also be looking to rookie Keith Dubs to help lead the offense. Dubs had a good pre-season, launching a pair of game-winning homeruns early in the spring. The rest of the Tanks' supporting cast includes a pair of veterans in Casey Zimmerman and Roe, who boast a combined 7 World Series rings.

GREEK VILLAGE 301'S: After acquiring Scott Williams to bolster an already potent lineup, the 301's began drawing comparisons to the Blake Street Bombers of the mid-90's Colorado Rockies that featured Larry Walker, Dante Bichette, Vinny Castilla and Andres Galarraga. In fact, Kotsovos, McAndie, Williams and Kyle Stone may be just as dangerous of a lineup. All feature homerun power and relatively low strikeout rates, which may add up to high run totals for the 301's this year. The only question mark for the Greek Village is the absence of Eric Paslack, who is recovering from a broken left wrist. The 301's would love to add a lefty bat to their lineup, but it remains unclear whether Paslack will recover within the time frame of the series.

KEYS: Whichever team gives their big hitter the best protection will have a huge advantage. If the batters hitting behind Williams or Kotsovos falter, then the two sluggers may see too few good pitches to hit. However, if the other batters in the lineup are producing, it will force opposing pitchers to give them pitches to hit or punish them for their walks.

ANALYSIS: With a lineup featuring three legitimate stars, there seems to be no easy out in the 301's lineup. On the other side, too much may depend solely on the performance of Josh Williams. Keith Dubs may emerge as another star in their lineup, but he is unproven in World Series play. Therefore, the 301's offense appears more fearsome heading into the series.

EDGE: Greek Village 301's

DEFENSE

TIANANMEN SQUARE TANKS: The departure of Scott Williams leaves a huge void at the third base position and it is unclear how the Tanks plan to address this need. At shortstop, Dubs is athletic but must also learn the intricacies of the position. Roe and Zimmerman do not feature a lot of speed or range, but do have good hands and a ton of experience.

GREEK VILLAGE 301'S: The left side of the infield may be as good as we've ever seen in wiffleball history. McAndie is a gold-glove candidate every year and Scott Williams features a cannon at third base. In right, Stone is a slight upgrade over the injured Paslack, and could force Paslack into a DH role if he returns from injury.

KEYS: In wiffleball, the importance of defense must never be under-estimated. Giving the opposing offense extra outs by committing errors can lead to big innings. Whichever team limits their errors will having an easier time holding the other team's offense down.

ANALYSIS: The left side of McAndie-Williams is too much not to give the edge to the Greek Village in this category. They have the potential to save many runs in support of their pitcher.

EDGE: Greek Village 301's

PITCHING

TIANANMEN SQUARE TANKS: Josh Williams will be relied on to bear most or all of the innings load for the Tanks, as the departure of Scott Williams creates yet another issue for Tiananmen. Williams remains a marquee pitcher in this league, but has run into some tough luck the past few seasons. He features a strong curveball to compliment his fastball, and will rely on it to keep opposing hitters off-balance.

GREEK VILLAGE 301'S: After falling short in Game 7 of the 2004 World Series, right-hander Joe Kotsovos has rebounded to become the game's premier "big game" pitcher. In the past three seasons, Kotsovos has posted a 12-6 record and collected wins in three series-clinching games. In an exhibition game this spring, he fired a 1-hit shutout and appears ready for the series.

KEYS: It seems whoever discovers the path of least resistance will have more success. It all comes down to how these hurlers navigate through tough opposing lineups. Issuing few walks and keeping the ball in the ballpark will help.

ANALYSIS: For Williams, he may have a tougher lineup to try and navigate through. It is also hard to argue with Kotsovos' playoff numbers and the fact that he is undefeated at home over the past three years and 8-1 all time when following a 301's loss.

EDGE: Greek Village 301's