2008 Home Run Derby Winner Justin Morneau

July 15, 2008

Congratulations to Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins for winning the 2008 State Farm Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium. In the final round, Morneau out-homered Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers 5-3 to win the contest.

Runner-up Josh Hamilton stole the show by hitting a record-setting 28 home runs in the first round. But his body simply ran out of gas by the final round, and Morneau had enough power left to defeat Hamilton and take home the trophy.

Morrneau is one of several Major Leaguers who has posed with a wiffleball for this site. MLW Commissioner Shaun Breen keeps his autographed wiffleballs of Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau in a very safe place.

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Mauer, Morneau, Nathan named All Stars

July 6, 2008

Congratulations to Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, and Joe Nathan for being named to the 2008 American League All Star team. The All Star Game will take place on Tuesday, July 15th at Yankee Stadium.

Joe Mauer was the leading vote getter among American League catchers, therefore earning the role as the AL’s starting catcher. It’ll be Mauer’s second All Star appearance — his first as a starter.

First baseman, Justin Morneau will also be making his second appearance. He was named to the AL squad by the player’s ballot.

Twins’ closer Joe Nathan will be making his third All Star appearance. Like all pitchers, he was named to the team by the AL team manager, Terry Francona. Nathan will be one of six closers on the team. This trip to the All Star Game will be a special one for Nathan, since he grew up near Yankee Stadium.

The American League has not lost an All Star Game since 1996, and these three Minnesota Twins, who have all posed with wiffleballs for this site, will try to lead the American League to another victory over the National League, and attempt to keep the AL’s unbeaten streak intact for at least another year.

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2nd Annual Baby V Wiffle Ball Tournament

June 30, 2008

We recently learned of an upcoming wiffleball tournament that promises to donate all proceeds to help fight pediatric cancer. The 2nd Annual Baby V Foundation Wiffle Ball Tournament will be held on Sunday, July 13th, 2008 at the Town of Newburgh Little League Fields (off Lakeside Road). It promises to be even bigger and better than last year. Here’s the information for anyone who would like to participate or send a donation.

• Registration starts at 8:00 AM on the day of the event or you may register early by sending an email to PediatricCharity@Yahoo.com
• Kids teams ages 10-17 ($125 per team) - No adults allowed on kids teams
• Adults/Mixed teams ages 18 and up ($150 per team) - Kids may play on adults team if desired
• Maximum of 6 players per team (5 in the field and 1 DH)
• All teams receive T-shirts
• Winning ADULT Team will receive cash prize
• Winning KIDS Team will receive trophies, T-shirts, and medals
• Food and refreshments will be sold

If anyone knows of some businesses that may be interested in donating to the cause please let them know. They are always accepting donations. Call Sherry Casey if you have any questions about the tournament at 845-590-4584.

Again ALL proceeds from this wiffleball tournament go directly to the Baby V Foundation to help find a cure for pediatric cancer. For more information visit www.BabyVFoundation.org.

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Catch it!

June 5, 2008

Have you ever made a remarkable diving catch? A stretched-out, full-extension, sliding through the grass web gem? And when you stood up to throw the ball back to the infield, did you realize that you also slid through a pile of dog crap? Yep, it happened here. It happened to me.

It was a few years before Major League Wiffleball officially formed, so let’s say it was minor league wiffleball. Our robbing home run rule was different then. A player could catch a ball past the home run line, as long as they had both feet in fair territory when the ball was pitched.

Matt Ceccucci was pitching to Quentin Jensen. I was the fielder. The pitch came in and Quentin crushed the ball. It was a high line drive to left field power alley. It was heading out of the park. I was already playing on the warning track, and I took off running for the ball. I only had a couple of seconds to react, but I knew I had a chance to catch it, since I had robbed Quentin of a couple of home runs earlier. This one was traveling faster though, and it was hit over my head, so I knew I had to dive for this one.

I leaped in the air, stretched-out, full-extension, caught the ball, saving a run, and slid a few feet afterwards. It was a true web gem. It was like a Jim Edmunds highlight… with dog crap.

I threw the ball back in, and noticed an odd smell. I looked down at my blue New York Rangers Stanley Cup championship T-shirt, and noticed a big brown smear that wasn’t there before. I guess the neighbors didn’t go on Poop Patrol that day.

Luckily, my house was only a few steps away from the field, so a quick change of clothes was possible, and the game resumed. I don’t remember the outcome of the game. I just remember the catch.

If you’re ever in this situation, make sure you catch the ball and hang on to it. Otherwise, it’s just crappy fielding.

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