Team Tuesdays: Wee Willy Wiffle

Written by Josh Smith

Wee Willy Wiffle have proven themselves to be the most resilient team in the league. They debuted last year during the Fall Ball season as the Pitch Slappers. Captained by Patrick Rayl, the team is hardly the same franchise it was when they joined. Last fall the team struggled to hit and only managed to win 3 of their 10 games before recruiting Nick Kappra towards the end of the season. Since then the team has went through a series of changes and have been an interesting team to follow. Speaking of follow, they are one of only three teams in the league to have it's own Twitter account (@weewillywiffle). This team easily talks the most trash on the web and their #runboyshit has been synonymous with the team. So much so that it graces the back of their jerseys.

The roster situation has been a source of constant improvisation for the team. They lost Chris Foltz and Wade Napier before the winter meeting and searched for teammates all preseason. Then during spring training Andy Hill (the boy in "run boy shit") announced his departure to pursue a new job. Rayl was quick to fill the gaps with veteran softball player Rich Ball, Jason Grady, and Jeremy Litton to max out the roster. Rich Ball has proven to be one of the best hitters in the league and threw a no-hitter last week against Poker Night. Jason "Twin" Grady became the league's first African-American player and is new to the sport and still learning. Wiffle veteran and smack-talk extraordinaire Jeremy Litton was the last signed to the team. Litton was going to originally be the league's media director on site but the former captain of the Welfare Warriors decided that he'd accept Rayl's offer.

The returning core of the team (Patrick Rayl, Nick Kappra & Jacob Dunkle) have been not only competing against intense competitors but teaching half the team about the sport, a task I feel confident in saying that no one envies. Nevertheless the team remains talented. Nick Kappra is one of the best pitchers in the league and is almost un-hittable. Jacob Dunkle is a hard fielder to hit past (as is Jason Grady). Richard Ball and Kappra lead the team at the plate. This team is far from an easy team to beat and will only improve throughout the rest of the season as they will soon return to divisional play.

Patrick Rayl

Captain | #8 | SP/OF

Age? 25

What is your favorite food? Chipotle

What made you want to play wiffleball? I wanted to play wiffleball as a fun competitive way to be active

Any previous experience with baseball or softball? How many years and in what leagues? Played baseball from tee ball through high school

Do you have any personal goals for this season? If so, what are they? To strike out no more than 5 times this year

What do you do for a living? Locksmith at Marshall University

Favorite TV show? The Office

Favorite movie? 61

What are you other hobbies? Playing kickball, hockey, and watching sports of all types

Jacob Dunkle

Co-Captain | #7 | CF/RP

Age? 27

What is your favorite food? Pizza

What made you want to play wiffleball? Fun sport that is easy to play yet difficult to master. Has something for everybody, and can be challenging even for experienced baseball players.

Any previous experience with baseball or softball? How many years and in what leagues? Age 5 through high school, attended tryouts for Reds and Dodgers, played slow pitch softball for 3 years

Do you have any personal goals for this season? If so, what are they? I would like to be in the top 5 in batting categories and gain consistent control of 2 or 3 pitches

What do you do for a living? Electrical Engineering - Automation Product Specialist at State Electric Supply Co.

Favorite TV show? Seinfield

Favorite movie? Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail

What are you other hobbies? Marshall University highlight video editing and researching consumer electronics

Nick Kappra

#00 | SP/OF

Age? 21

What is your favorite food? Potstickers

What made you want to play wiffleball? Pat asked me. I did alright at first and figured I could improve.

Any previous experience with baseball or softball? How many years and in what leagues? Coach-pitch 4-11 years old, full-time travel league, AAU, DeMartha High School baseball team (2010 state champions)

Do you have any personal goals for this season? If so, what are they? Improve my pitching a lot and hitting

What do you do for a living? Paralegal

Favorite TV show? Psych or White Collar

Favorite movie? Shoot Em Up

What are you other hobbies? Paintball & tattoo artist (4 years)

Richard Ball

#24 | LF

Age? 39

What is your favorite food? Steak or Pizza

What made you want to play wiffleball? Pat asked me to play (haven't played this since I was a kid)

Any previous experience with baseball or softball? How many years and in what leagues? Played baseball since t-ball and played softball longer than many of this league's players have been alive (20 years) in Huntington, Ashland, and in travel leagues.

Do you have any personal goals for this season? If so, what are they? Not strike out more than five times this year and no 1st pitch K's

What do you do for a living? Day shift manager/driver for Gino's

Favorite TV show? Blacklist

Favorite movie? Fast & Furious movies and Gone In 60 Seconds

What are you other hobbies? Playing cards, golf, Cincinnati Reds baseball, Cowboys football

Jason Grady

#9 | OF/EH

Age? 27

What is your favorite food? Popeye's chicken and biscuits

What made you want to play wiffleball? Pat asked me

Any previous experience with baseball or softball? How many years and in what leagues? No experience

Do you have any personal goals for this season? If so, what are they? Help the team win the championship