- 72 Teams are playing this year, shattering the previous record of 60 set in 2008. 36 teams will make the playoffs, with the bottom 8 seeds playing their way into the field of 32. The winning team earns a $400 cash prize, as well as a trophy and a place on the tournament plaque of legends. The fame and endorsement deals that come with being a tournament champion will probably be worth several million dollars as well.
- Piccadilly Pub will be the after party spot this year. It is located on Route 140 on the Mansfield/Foxboro line. There is a ton of space and they have been very accommodating. There will be $1.95 Bud lights and they promised not to run out of anything. We told them to expect around 100 people, so they’ll be ready for us.
- Speed Limit increase – The training wheels are off this year. In division play the speed limit will be increased to 45 MPH. In the playoffs, there is no speed limit- so fire away and manage your pitching staff accordingly.
- Home Run Derby – The home run derby will be running from 11am through the start of the championship game. Entry is $5, and you can enter as many times as you want. You choose your own pitcher and get 10 outs. Any swing that’s not a home run is an out. The winner receives a prize, a shiny trophy, and will be immortalized on the tournament plaque.
- Winter Mini Tournament- We are in final negotiations to secure an indoor location for our first invitation only winter mini-tourney. To qualify your team must have gone deep into at least one of our 5 tournaments (this year included). More details will follow Saturday’s tournament.
5 Final Tournament Notes
August 6th, 2009 by BKliglerBreaking news: Vegas releases opening lines for 09’ Tourney!
July 18th, 2009 by BKliglerWith the 2009 Edwin A. Keach Memorial Wiffle Ball Tournament 3 weeks away, Las Vegas has released the favorites to take home this years’ coveted title. Here are the odds along with expert analysis for each team’s chances…
- Mega Powers (4 to 1 odds) = The defending champions return the same 2 man team that took home last year’s title, and look formidable once again. With a roster consisting of the veteran Mike Heenan and the young superstar Mark Peterson, The Mega Powers are poised to repeat. Heenan is a backyard legend hailing from the concrete jungle of the Chesnut Knoll neighborhood of Easton. This former Home Run Derby champion has found the perfect 1-2 punch with the up and coming Peterson.
- Dead Baby Mammoths (5 to 1) = Although they have yet to reveal their 2009 team name, the team formerly known as DBM is hungry to avenge last year’s bitter playoff exit. The only 2 time tourney champs have gone through an off season personnel shake up, dropping the controversial Dan Westerman and returning to 2007’s championship roster. The critics say they’ve lost the drive to be great and have grown fat on the fruits of past success, leaving this team with much to prove.
- Team New York 1 (6 to 1) = The last of the former champions, this team is dangerous despite playing what essentially amounts to a road game every time they take the field. Any title won under these adverse conditions can never be questioned, as any Wiffle Ball insider knows. However, there remain whispers that had Ben Kligler and Gregg Scarlata been at the 2006 Tournament, we might be talking about a 3 peat. A win in the 09’ tourney will surely quiet the last of the doubters and cement the Hennessey legacy.
- Green Street Elite (10 to 1) = The legendary one man show, Tim Golden, has been the most active of any GM this off season. Golden has attained all the money, fame, and individual accolades that any player could dream of. However, the one thing he desires most still eludes him, a championship ring. With this goal in mind Golden has stocked his roster with talent from all over the Wiffle Ball world. Nick Ventresco has been added for his championship experience and keen batting eye. Will Glynn, something of a mystery, has strength and talent, but is unproven in a competitive atmosphere. Will he be Wily Mo Pena or David Ortiz? Another question mark is the talented but controversial Westerman. Westerman has bounced around from team to team throughout his career, fueling rumors that he is a clubhouse cancer. This team undoubtedly is one of the most talented on paper, but it remains to be seen how they mesh on the field.
- Field (3 to 1) = With the most competitive field of teams of all time expected in 2009, it truly is anyone’s tournament to win. Who will be the next team to claim their place in tournament history??? On August 8th we’ll find out. It should be a bloodbath.
Fever Pitch
July 13th, 2009 by WGlynnWith the 5th Annual Summer Classic known as the Edwin A. Keach Memorial Wiffle® Ball Tournament now less than one month away, the excitement has reached a fever pitch with all of us involved with Edwin’s Foundation. With each passing year, we strive to make each year’s Tournament better than the last, and 2009 should be no exception. Having seen the Edwin A. Keach Memorial Wiffle® Ball Tournament flourish over the past four years, it is our duty to ensure that we continue to offer you our best, not only for Edwin, but also for You, Edwin’s Family and Friends who have supported us since our inception. We hope that you will join us again this year, as you always have, in celebrating Edwin’s Memory as best we can. We look forward to seeing you all on Saturday, August the 8th at
Militia Park in Easton.
Oh, by the way, the reigning champions – The Mega Powers have registered and are ready to take home the trophy again… think you can beat them?
2009 EAK Wiffle® Ball Tournament August 8
July 9th, 2009 by MKeachThe Edwin A. Keach Memorial Foundation announced today it will host the 5th Annual Edwin A. Keach Memorial Wiffle® Ball Tournament and Home Run Derby, August 8, 2009, at Militia Park in Easton, MA. This unique and important tournament is a major fundraiser for the Edwin A. Keach Memorial Foundation. The tournament is growing in size and continues to draw support from local and regional sponsors and media outlets.
This event draws over 500 players and spectators. According to Nick Ventresco, one of the event organizers,
“this tournament has grown to be more and more successful each year. We expect spectator attendance to climb for the fifth consecutive year and anticipate reaching capacity in tournament play. With the continued support of our sponsors we have been able to accommodate the growth and put on a great community event.”
Last year, the Brockton Rox made a special appearance with K-O, winning the hearts of all. In addition, the Monster Rock Energy Drink truck greeted players with Monster Energy just in time for the play-offs.
The event organizers are currently seeking corporate and individual tournament sponsors, advertisers, and volunteers. Sponsorship and participation benefits the Edwin A. Keach Memorial Foundation, which utilizes its resources to fund local charitable works. Donations of all kinds will be recognized. The tournament is 100% volunteer run and all after tax proceeds benefit the memorial foundation.
Militia Park, the location where Wiffle® Ball Tournament is held, is home to The Easton Youth Baseball fields (www.eastonyouthbaseball.org).
Created in 2003, after the tragic loss of Edwin A. Keach, The Edwin A. Keach Memorial Foundation plans to carry forward Edwin’s passion for life, by making contributions to the community that promote a Lead, Don’t Follow spirit – a testament to the lasting impression he made on so many lives.
Welcome!
May 13th, 2009 by adminWelcome to the Edwin A. Keach blog.