July 15, 2018 – MIDLOTHIAN, IL
New location. Same dominant Cult West Warriors.
Running their undefeated streak to 24 games in the World Wiffle® Ball Championship, Cult West dispatched of Funky Plastic Offspring in the championship game, 9-2. Jay Ryans and Scott Soos led the charge for Cult West, slugging five home runs between them.
The Warriors became the first team to win three consecutive world championships since the Blue Ribbon Builders accomplished the feat in 1995-1997. However, they had to survive one-run victories over Stache Bros (2-1, in the Sweet 16), Bloomfield Bombers (1-0, in the quarters) and New Carlisle Newts (4-3, in the Final Four).
FPO made a valiant run at their fifth world title, with walk-off homers in their first two games on Sunday, and a 10-run fifth inning to take down The Balco Boys in the Final Four. Joey Schuster had a phenomenal defensive day in right field, with multiple highlight reel catches.
51 teams (from 10 states) began the 39th Annual World Wiffle® Ball Championship on Saturday, all playing four games. 24 teams advanced to the single-elimination tournament on Sunday.
Notes
*On Saturday, 36 players participated in the Home Run Derby with Dan Lowe (Loweriders) winning the Derby crown.
Lowe, Dan Zeiger (Balco Boys), Mike Mitchell (Mitchell Souvenir Company) and Tom Zeller (The Belmont Transfer) advanced to the four-person finals. Down to his final out in the semifinals against Zeller, Lowe hit two homers to advance. Lowe then defeated Zeiger 14-12 to win a wild, entertaining Home Run Derby.
*FPO reached their ninth championship game, tying seven-time world champion, Blue Ribbon Builders, for most appearances.
*Thanks to all the tournament participants and HR Derby entrants, over $2,000 will be donated to South Suburban Humane Society.
worldwiffleball.org 