Kind of New and Somewhat Improved: a 2019 season preview

PRESTON SAHABU, Seattle Wiffle

The wind blows through a little fresher. The sun hangs around a little longer. Cowen Park dries out and leaves an actual field behind. Soft plastic connects with hard plastic. It is that time of year, friends: wiffleball is back.

Before we look forward to 2019, we must do a proper tribute to what has been left behind in 2018.

Walks With Four Balls Runs Out of Name Changes

You may know them as Wiff Waff, Get A Wiff, or Walks With Four Balls, but this founding team of Seattle Wiffleball has chosen to fold this season. Captains Andrew Ybarra and Greg Nyssen held their teams together with grit and sheer force of will, and could always be accounted for a competitive match week in and week out. We wish them the very best in their “retirement”.

Cannonball Coming Hangs ‘Em Up

After three wonderful years in Seattle Wiffleball, Cannonball Coming and captain Patrick Meagher will be stepping back from the league this season. As an opponent on the field, I will not miss their crafty pitching and power hitting. As a league, we will dearly miss their enduring sportsmanship, impressive athleticism, and full embrace of dad swag.

Swing at the Fence

Plastic construction wire, hot orange and frayed. Bamboo poles woven in with various lengths and strengths. A constant struggle to stay upright in the lightest breeze. The fence has been a known health, safety, and gameplay hazard for the last five years -- I am happy to report that it has been replaced.

On to the happier stuff...

A New Fence Approaches!

Smooth blue fabric, well-attached and stretched taught. Plastic poles that can bend all the way down to the ground before popping back upright. Stake inserts for solid and consistent setup. The new fence was advertised to us as a dream, and hopefully it will live up to that dream!

Narrator: It did not live up to that dream.

Rule Changes

In an effort to improve the game experience and encourage balls in play, the following rule changes have been made:

1. 68 mph speed limit. Pitchers may throw no harder than 68 mph. If they do, the offense may take a ball or the result of the pitch. An exemption is made for the first such pitch in an at-bat, where the offense may take a no-pitch or the result of the pitch.

2. Sixth fielder. Teams may now play with a pitcher and five fielders. All fielders must bat, but four-member lineups are still permitted.

3. Free defensive positioning. Defenders in the field may position themselves anywhere in fair territory, as long as they do not interfere with the batter.

4. Mandatory use of league balls. The league will provide stamped game balls to ensure a uniform offensive environment. Pitchers may scuff league balls using league tools. A bullpen will be set up so pitchers may practice with league balls before their games.

5. Optional mercy rule. If a team is behind by more than 20 runs after two innings, they may opt into the mercy rule.

The Rookie-ish Teams

We are excited to welcome four new teams into the league this year, many of which are captained by players returning from last season. Let's get hype!

ISO Pale

Otto Par, long-time pitcher for Walks With For Balls, has taken his talents to a team of his own. Recruited from his friends and bolstered by free agents, they wanna bring the power and place the league beyond the Pale.

Sheryl Crows

If you are a long-suffering Mariners fan, you almost certainly know about Lookout Landing and their wonderful writing. Eric Sanford, formerly of Cannonball Coming, has rallied his fellow writers together and brought a sunny murder to Cowen.

TBD ("Voltron")

Back like they never left, Greg Nyssen (WWFB) and Spencer Minder (Sons of Pitches) are leading a brand new team. Frances Nyssen (WWFB), Jonathan Stevens (SP), and Karl Koch (CC) also appear on the roster, Voltroning together with a few free agents.

TBD ("Gang of Misfits")

A gang of misfits with a passion for wiffle. Captain Brown has the difficult task of bringing together a squad of talented free agents and forming a real team out of them. Sons of Pitches faced a similar road last year and made the playoffs. Can it happen again?

The Veteran Teams

We have four teams returning to play ball this year. You know them and you love them, but just in case you need a refresher, we are gonna preview them too.

100% Real Juice

The reigning champs. A perennial contender with devilishly good pitching and powerful hitting, Gabe Showalter looks to lead his band of brothers into battle once more and grab the first back-to-back titles in league history.

West Coast Washout

The runners-up. After a heartbreaking finish in the Series last year, Jeremy Salvo continues to oversee a long lineup and deep bullpen. Six athletic fielders are also going to cause a problem for opposing teams.

RBI Steaks

After a bit of a down year last season, largely due to major events in the lives of many teammates, Jimmy Froio will try to get the band back together in search of a second title. They certainly have the talent, but it takes more than that to rebuild a dynasty.

Chicken ‘n’ Wiffles

In contention for the playoffs nearly all of last season, Matt Pearson’s squad was pushed aside in the final week. The pitching and defense need to improve for this team to find the postseason, and a few more hits certainly wouldn’t hurt.