Playoffs? and the whiffler of the year is?????

Week three of the pre-season break down of El Orchard whiffle Leauge. Our Guys Peter Sammons( who gets pissed when you call him a gammons knock off,) Jon i will breakdown anything because my wife won't let me in the house Kruk and Bob Never believe a word i say helping us along.

Hello again Fellows

Before we get to the play off Predictions let's talk about the Whiffler of the year.

Some giude lines i need to go over, since El Owl rules state that every body on the field must pitch, hit and fielder when picking Whiffler of the year voters must exmanion canidates offensive, defensive, and pitching stats. And here in the EL Owl the Whiffler of the year must come from a playoff team because a whiffler has so much in put on the outcome of the game we call this the A-rod rule.

So first let's review the past Whiffler's of the year
2004- John Derryberry who finished batting .525 right handed, and .495 left handed. He belted 15 home runs in a 30 games season, he hit 10 doubles (hard to do with such a little field) he scored 57 runs to lead the league, he had 45 RBI still the most ever by a lead off man. He had an ERA average of 6.05 good for second in the league he had 35 strike outs and 7 wins, 9 holds (meaning he held the lead for his team) and one save. He won his first golden Palm and fielded cleaning 89% of the balls batted his way.

2005- Adam Richard Rottinghuas paced the 6 feet over club with average of .502 and bleted 25 homeruns in a 40 games season. he hit 19 doubles( still a record) and one triple. He scored 65 runs and lead thr league with 70 RBI's. He managed a 7.40 ERA good for 9th in the Leagues he had 30 Strike outs, only three wins but an amzing 15 holds(record). He won a golden palm, and fielded cleanly 90% of the balls hit his way.

2006- Braden Yauk was the first pitcher heavy stat man that one the award winning we one an amazing 17 games(record) and struck out 100 (record) setting the bar high in the first ever 50 game season. he had 18 holds and manage the first every sub 6 era with 5.99(record). He also betted 495 with 20 homeruns, and 15 doubles. He had 82 RBIs wtih 115 runs scored. He was graded out a 92% effeicint runner. We won the pitchers Golden Palm and fielder 88% of the balls hit is way.

Well I'll let Sammons go first

Sammons: i think the way Braden pitchers puts him in this thing every year, if JP hits well left handed he's back in the conversation, and Kyle and Scottie can be in it to, Man are the Bunnies loaded. I think Marcus get's in the conversation with better pitching and Joe's in it as well with his pitching but i think my ballot will read
Marcus with better batting numbers and fielding numbers and just a notch below pitching numbers to push Braden out of his repeat.
Kyle suprising everyone with continuely his new ways from the series.

Kruk:wow, you really believe in Kyle, i think Scottie is the hidden gem in that team that makes a leap, Yauk and Joe are always in the conversation, Marcus and Drew round out my pool that i'll be picking from i think it goes like this

Marcus with a break out year, then Drew cementing himself in the conversation as best and i'm cheating here but Joe and Yuak tie for third

Bob Never: My guys got it all wrong, Derryberry will benefit from a better Kyle and again pitching with Braden. His left handed hitting is back means more runs scored and he gets better in the field every year. Joe and Braden are in the debate every year.Marcus is in the conversation And since i'm the only one who picked him to make the playoffs Jove gets some consideration.

My Ballot looks like this Marcus, John in the closest voting ever and then Braden and Jove third and forth.

Well there you have Marcus has been tab by everyone to be the best whiffler this year.

Now to the play offs. The top two teams from each division make the playoffs and then the fifth team between the third place teams, which ever one has the better record. The teams are seeded 1 through 5 based on record and home field advanataged is based on better record. Four plays Five in a one game elimantion games, then in the semifinals best of three all played at the team with the better record field, but the teams alturnate who's home on the scoreboard game two. number one seed gets the winner of the 4/5 game with 2/3 squaring off.

Sammons seeded playoffs look like this #1 Bunnies 42-8 #2 Rhinos 37-13 #3 6 feet and over 35-15 (via tie breaker over Listons #4 35-15 and #5 Panthers 34 and 16

Kruk seeded playoffs look like this #1 Bunnies 39-11 #2 Grand View 34-16 #3 Panthers 33-17(via tie breaker over Rhinos) #4 Rhinos 33-17 #5 6 feet and over 32-18

Bob Never #1 Bunnies 38 and 12 #2 Rhinos 36-14 (via tie breaker over MaryCrest) #3 Marycrest 34-16 #4 Six feet and Over 35 and 15 and #5 Souther Iowa 30-20

Sammons: I think the 4/5 game goes to the Liston's becuase of the play off experience of Josh Wall.

Kruk: My 4/5 game goes to the Rhinos in a route Jefferson get's exposed and the Rhinos like the underdog mode.

Never My 4/5 6 feet and over win easliy with all that experiene but Prater gets much needed playoff experince.

Everyone's final four is set
Sammons: i have the Bunnies wining in two, the win every match-up Braden's better than Josh, JP's better than Giles, Scottie's got Kietzman, and Kyle laps Jon.
in my other series is the Rhinos win in three only becuase of home field advantage.

Kruk in my first series, i have the Rhinos beating the Bunnies, in three, i just have a hunch it's there year with my choice of Whiffker of the year edging those Bunnies.
in my second series i've got the Grand view connection advancing becuase of better pitching.

Bob Never series one the Bunnies win becuase of home field advantage. and in my second series, i;ve got the rhinos over Marycrest in two games just a better team.

On to the finals

Sammons: Bunnies vs. Rhinos the Bunnies repeat winning another three game series. THis year the will have home field advantage and that tips the scale. PLayoff MVP Braden Yauk

Kruk: Rhinos vs Grand View. I said Grand View was built for the regular season and i meant it, thier pitching catches up with them RHinos in Two Playoff MVP Zach Letzring

Bob Never: Bunnies vs Rhinos. BUnnies in three, with home field advantage tipping the scales like my counter part Sammons said. The Bunnies won it all last year on the Rhinos field, i don't see them losing at homee. Leaving Marcus to wonder if he will ever win the big one Playoff MVP Scottie Don't

Well folks there you have two experts tab the Bunnies and one tabs the Rhinos, i'm excited for the season to start Can the Bunnies Repeat, can the Rhinos Horn their way to thee top, or will some upstart shock us all one never knows in the EL orchard Whiffle Ball League.

Peaches and Cream where are the Rhinos going to end up

Now for the Peaches Division of El Owl and back with us again are Peter Sammons, John Kruk, and Bob Never.

Thanks for stopping by again fellows,

Let’s get his kick started with the surprise of last season those Rhinos who snuck into the playoffs last year on the last day of the season and then rode that momentum to the last game El Owl series before bowing out to the Bunnies. They made no changes in the off season bringing back everyone for what many feel could be a title run. They still have one of the best all around players in Marcus “Jim” Thie, and Zach Letzting will be donning the big C on his jersey signifying he’s the captain. He’s the one that keeps this team focused and loose. Jordan Letzring will have to improve his pitching because some days he’s unhittable and others he’s not very good. Most say it’s his temper. Let’s hope he can harness it for good. And we all no what we are getting from All arms Luke.

The Southern Iowans who last year went 25 and 25 finishing forth. Many thought they would make the leap to playoff team with the addition of Casey Spear, but Casey served a total of 5 games on suspension for continually breaking the throwing too fast rule in el owl. They lost all five of those games. It was a problem when he was with the Bunnies and it’s still a problem. He’s going to have to learn to play with in the rules. One thing looking up for the Iowans is Jeffery Pratter being a big off season pick-up. My sources said he was first on the Bunnies short list to replace Kyle if Kyle had elected to go to another team. This guy throws junk, more junk, and then junk and his sneaky good on the base paths.

Grand View Connection climbed into third place last year going 27 and 23. They have good parts with Kid, the nasty looping lefty, and power with Marty, and one of the all around best with Drew, but they seem to always be one player short. They really missed out on the Marcus sweepstakes when Marcus shocked everyone and elected to go with the Rhinos. They added Jim Strand who will add power to a line up full of big hitters but brings with him a nickel palm, and shaky at best pitching. If any team lets games turn into who can score more runs it won’t be pretty. But and it’s a big Butt they only have one better than good pitcher and fielding has been a problem, this team still feels one piece away.

Des Moines 6 feet and over stormed through the Peaches division again going 36 and 14, and many thought they were headed for another titled because this is the only other team that can boast a pear ring championship, but the were derailed by those Rhinos. They are still reeling from the lost of Adam Rottinghaus a one time Whiffler of the year. They tried Rob Wilkens last year but he fell apart in the playoffs. They still have Joe the best lefty in the league and Jason a dominate hitter and a good fielder becuase of his length and Rob Hammel and all around player and fringe all star. They are trying to re place Adam this year with Mike Jefferson and not one GM liked that deal.

Des Moines EX- panthers. This year’s expansion team will be full of former UNI grads. No one really likes the make up of the team. Tyler is a liability every where but the mound where is awkward delivery will make things entertaining. Joe is a get hitter but doesn’t add much as far as pitching and fielding, Brandon will be the best player and lone bright spot being he does everything well but nothing great, and they are still searching for a full time forth, we could see a lot of guys go through that forth spot as the season wears on. We have to remember that they are an expansion team and no expansion team has ever posted a winning season.

There’s the run down, let’s see what are experts think? Who’s finishing first?


Bob Never, See I think this is also a no brainer, the Rhinos grow from last year and realize if they wouldn’t have had to play so many playoffs games they would have taken the Bunnies. I think Zach grows into an all-star and controls little bro's temper and you put that with Marcus’s all around game they win 36 and nab that two seed, I mean they pattern themselves after the Bunnies valuing chemistry more than putting together a team that can score 20 runs a games, they have two great pitchers in Jordan and Marcus, Zach is serviceable, and Marcus and Zach can field and hit with any one. I don’t see anyone who could pick against them with Adam Rottinghuas playing in the east coast league. Marcus will play his way into the conversation as best ball player in the league this year.

Sammons: I see you 36 wins and raise you one to 37 wins. I think you’re right they're more mature and secure with their abilities to win ball games. Zach’s an all- star this year and more than likely taking home some hard wear. Zach has everything in a ball player you can’t measure heart, leadership and the will to win. They will be the winner of their division and get to hang at least one more banner up in Hanover Polka field.

Kruk: Not so fast this team was that came out of no-where to steal a spot from the Grand View Connection last year. Now do I think they are better of course, are they a play off team yes, but they will start slow because Jordan and all arms Luke will feed into the hype. Jordan hasn't fixed all his pitching problems and at this point i think it's a head thing, not a mechanics thing. This means they stumble out of the gates and then storm on the back nine to borrow a golf reference and nab 2nd place with a mark of 33 and 17 a la last year.

You guys said you your picks were all over in this division but you all agreed the expansion EX panthers will finish dead last

Sammons: they are bad, and they don’t have a full time forth, management better figure out what they want of this team. But I can’t see them winning 20 games. I like Brandon and Joe but Tyler’s got to go.

Kruk: I agree their bad and I won’t say anything else on them because it’s a waste of breath.

Bob Never: Last place let’s move one

So Kruk who do you have finishing first?

Kruk: Going 34 and 16 Grand View Connection, this team is built for regular season success, they can turn any inning to a ten run inning, and we all know whiffle ball regular season is a high scoring affair. In fact the highest scoring team hasn’t miss the playoffs yet, and with adding Jim Strand they just nudged ahead of the Bunnies of the most potent offense. Will that turn into Play off success I don’t know, but Drew and Marty have proved to be all starts with many arguing Drew is the best player in the League. I say he’s the fiercest competitor but not best. They will get just enough pitching from the Kid to win a lot of high scoring games in the regular season.

Bob Never: Hold on first off if Derryberry can bat laft handed again which is what i'm hearing out of thier camp the Bunnies have the best line-up becuase they have a lead off guy, and this team needed pitching and fielding and went and got another bat that can’t pitch or field very well. They took a step back in my book. I see Drew getting frustrated by game 30 and Jim losing confidence in his hitting when he gets shelled on the mound. That happens more than you think in this league. They lost any hope at a title when Marcus went to the Rhinos. You need more than one and half pitchers in the regular season. Kid can’t do it all on his own, and don’t forget Drew has lost a couple of games for throwing to fast as well. Marty is a great whiffle ball player but they needed a stud pitcher. They should have grabbed Prater. With Prater they had a shot at it all, now thier just a offensive house they can be shut down by teams with better pitching. I have them finishing fourth and going 26 and 24

Sammons: You are both right, they should have grabbed Prater batted him lead off and let him pitch second behind Kid and they would have been better than the Rhinos or at least just as good. They will be better than last year and they are built for regular season. They make the play offs because I don’t see Drew missing the play offs again the go 30 and 20 grabbed the fifth seed. A line up with Drew, Marty, Kid, and Jim will score too many runs to not win 30 games.

Well a little disagreement on this side of the EL Owl and I like it, two teams left to go and let’s start with the only other team with Pear Ring to show off, the Des Moines 6 feet and over. They won the whole thing two years ago.

Bob Never: I think that the playoff lost year put a dent in their armor. No one knew for sure if they would beat the Bunnies because the Bunnies and they always seem to trade games. the all time series for the two teams is Bunnies 9 wins and 6 feet and over 8 wins. But they had this division’s number. I think they slip a little to second. Wilkins wasn’t Adam and Jefferson isn’t Adam. With Adam they were hard to beat now they are just like everyone else a tier below the bunnies. Jefferson will help the chemistry department because Wilkins ruffled feathers and Joe can always through a white wash on any one. IN the playoffs their experience will give them a chance. 35 and 15 is what they go.

Sammons: Well that all time series is a little miss leading because 6 Feet and over held a lead 5 to 3 until Adam left, meaning the Bunnies are 6 and 3 over the last nine. I couldn’t agree more with Bob, they are a play off team and could very well win the division but with Adam they are human. They go 35 and 15 and we will see in the playoffs. having the most dominate Lefty in Joe gives them a punchers chance every year.

Kruk: I can’t disagree with anything they said I just feel they continue to slip and slide to third going 30 and 20. they haven't slipped enough to miss the playoffs. Jefferson will had some to the hitting but take away from the pitching. they also run their team aroudn having great Chemistry which as we've seen plays a big part in EL OWl games. Plus when you’ve got Joe, Jason, and Rob you’ve got a chance to take home a pear ring.

So that just leaves the Southern Iowans

Kruk: let me say Jeffery Prater was a great pick up and I think next year they will be dangerous but right now he’s learning on the job and when your best pitcher is learning on the job in El Owl it’s not good. the only rookie pitcher to post an ERA below 7 was Jordan and he went slights out pitchin 6 scoreless innnings toards the end of last year to get that low, and just so the casual fan knows an ERA 6 usuals leads the league. I say 22 and 28 but they pull off some up sets at end of the season.

Sammons: I agree with what you said about Prater and if Casey handles the transition year they could be dangerous come August when some of these teams are competing for a playoff spot. Prater is going to be great, but Kelly holds this team back and they go 20 and 30 but something like 10 and 10 over there last 20 with Prater proving he was wroth the hype swinging them into the hunt next season.

Bob Never: Fellows, you are over looking this team went 25 and 25 and lost all five games when Casey was out serving suspencions. Well now they have a guy who can cover that pitching whole they win those five games this year and go 30 and 20 and nab the fifth season. Clintand underated pitcher and fielder and Casey a very good ball player when emotions are in check are recommitted with Jeff on board and Kelly should improve from his rookie season. I'm writing him off yet, the pressure will be on Prater allowing him to relax and whiffle


To Recap Play off team is Bold

Sammons has the Rhinos going 37 -13, 6 feet and over going 35 -15,Grand View going 30 and 20, Southern Iowa going 20 and 30, and Ex-panthers going 17 and 33

Kruk: Has the Grand View going 34 and 16, the Rhinos goings 33 and 17. 6 feet and over going 32 and 18, the Southern Iowans going 22 and 28, and the Ex panthers going 16 and 34.

Bob Never: has the Rhinos going 36 and 14, 6 feet and over going 35 and 15, Southern Iowans going 30 and 20, Grand View going 26 and 24, and EX panthers going 17 and 33 .

On to the awards, we will start with the fruit basket winners (these guys play in the all star game) A team that finishes 5th with have no representatives at the all start game, Each all star team will have 7 guys voted on it. The number of times they have been all-stars is in ( )

Sammons starters P Joe(2) Fielders Drew(3) Zach, Marcus(3)
Bench Rob(1) Kid(1) Prater
Kruk Starters P Kid (1) Fielders Drew (3) Marcus (3) Marty
Bench Zach Jason(2) Joe(2)
Never Starters P Joe (2) Fielder Marcus (3) Drew (3) Zach
Bench Casey (1) Jordan Kid(1)

The guys voted on the awards and this was what they came up with.


On to the Golden Palms (best fielders)
Pitcher Kid
Right Fielder Zach
Center Fielder Drew
Left Fielder Marcus


Big Red Bat (four best hitters)
Drew
Marcus
Casey
Rob

CY young Jr.( best pitcher) names after Cy Young Son who was a pioneer in whiffle ball.
Kid

Triple Tierra (all around best individual offensive season)
Marcus

Fresh Fruit
Jeff Prater

We decided to breakdown the Whiffler of the year next week and the get the guys play offs predictions. I know I can’t wait.