2010 NWBL Preview: Teams, Schedules, and More!
The 2010 season is coming fast. It has been two months since the Cutters claimed their first championship in 2009. The Rapids are still favorite to have the best record but the now improved Bobcats have made a jump up the rankings:
1. Lackawanna Rapids (23-7): Herrmann and both Hanleys should give the franchise its best rotation ever. Skurat will be closing for the Rapids for his seventh season. He is currently at the 50 career saves milestone. The power and contact is there, but the Rapids will need to slightly improve its defense.
2. Dowling Bobcats (20-10): Jumping up almost 10 predicted wins in one week. Palmesino and Plateroti will comprise the healthy rotation. Pitching will be very good for this team in 2010. Newly acquired Maguire and Galorenzo will add depth to the team's hitting. The Bobcats hitting will make of break the team.
3. Vetrone Cutters (17-13): The team is predicted to finish above .500, which the defending champs did not last year. While the team may struggle in the divison, the Cutters will dominate the West. All four contributing players return to help win another championship
4. Filippone Heat (15-15): The Heat have dropped in the rankings after the Bobcats improved. While 15-15 is not bad for last place, the team will need to outpitch their opponents. Hitting will not be a problem next year.
5. Wallace Warriors (10-20): Last prediction, the team was favored to make it to the playoffs by winning the West. Not in 2010. Unless the Warriors can suprise the league like the Heat did last year, competition against the Bobcats will not allow the Warriors to make it to the postseason. New comer Jeff Roth may change everything.
6. Dowling Cannons (5-25): Last place. While the team did grab Mark Konzelmann and does appear to be a decent team, there is no way this team will fare well next season. A horrible rotation plus a horrible closer equals disaster. Worst team and worst ERA, hands down.
Bobcats Armed And Dangerous
It seems as if Christmas has come very early for the Bobcats. In one 24 hour day, the team loaded up on a pool of talent. On Monday, the team signed Vinny Plateroti, Shawn Maguire, and Brandon Galorenzo. They traded Mark Konzelmann to the Cannons for a player to be named. On Tuesday, the team made further moves to send Mike Herrmann to the Warriors. Heres an indepth look at their new players: Shawn Maguire: Not much known about this rookie. He reportedly brings a lot to the table for the upcoming season. He is signed to a full contract and will be expected to play a major role in the 2010 season. Brandon Galorenzo: While he did not play a game in 2009, he did in 2008, his rookie year. He has good hitting and fielding. He will definitly add depth to the roster. Vinny Plateroti: Possibly the most anticiapted player in a while. The franchise rests on him and his excellent pitching. Plateroti brings stronger pitching to the weak rotation. Either he will lead the team to its first .500 season in its five years or fall among the ranks of those who had prevously tried. Let's go with the first.
2010 Season Schedule Released
The league will look to return to its "no date, play when you like" form that went very smoothly last year. Each team will play its divisional teams 9 times and 4 against each other division team...a total of 30 games. Each series will consist of 4 game series against each opposite divison team and three 3 game series against each divisional opponent.
NWBL Gets Seven Nominations
The National Wiffleball Association has issued its 2009 "End of the Season Awards" Nominations. These awards have nominations from over ten leagues across the country. From California to Minnesota to New Jersey, over 150 teams, the NWBL has picked up a strong seven nominations.
1. Shane Hanley for Pitcher of the Year.
2/3. Matt Herrmann for Hitter of the Year, Player of the Year.
4. Vetrone Cutters for Champion of the Year.
5. Marc Bonilla for Rookie of the Year.
6. Adam Skurat for Closer of the Year.
7. Our site for Site of the Year
