 | Season ticket holder Ron Higgins fires to first for an out during the 1st Annual Sweets vs. Fans wiffle ball game. |
“It gave us a real chance to scout for talent for next year,” quipped Sweets GM Zachary Fraser. “That or see which of the old men would go down with a torn rotator cuff from trying to throw a fastball with a wiffle ball while balancing a Bud Light.” Luckily, no one dropped dead and only one beer was spilled (and that was the umpires).
The Wiffle Ball Challenge sprung from the first-ever Walla Walla Sweets season ticket holder party, where season ticket holders were greeted by Sweets players, coaches and front office for a summer night grilling of hot dogs, hamburgers and homemade salads at the Key Technology Sweet Spot. Sweets fans were served by the front office and had the opportunity to get to know their heroes. More importantly, the players had the chance to get to know the fans that have showed up in droves this first summer.
In a traditional ballpark meal, the grill was on, the burgers, dogs, and sides were served, and Sweets fans and players enjoyed a warm summer night at the nicest stadium in the West Coast League. Season ticket holders were able to get autographs, kids and parents played catch on the perfectly manicured grass, and contests were played as to who could hit a target. What started as a suggestion for home run derby turned into a challenge by a few fans to play the Sweets in a wiffle ball game, and true to competitive form, the Sweets obliged.
“It was great to see the hustle,” said Fraser. “These guys wanted to keep the win streak alive.” One player, pitcher Ronnie Jackson, was overheard saying “I want to win!”
The Sweets jumped out to a quick lead as the fans were getting used to the playing conditions. But after questionable umpiring by the one man who spends the most energy heckling the umpires, Rob Holtzinger, the fans found themselves tied with the Sweets. To be fair, the Sweets had an outfielder, Matt Comer, pitching, and he is a much better outfielder.
The game stretched into extra innings as the fans and the Sweets battled back and forth. Only the threat of sprinklers coming on forced the issue. The fans took a two-run lead into the top of the 7th, and it seemed a sure bet that old, achy men and a few dignified women would walk away victors. The Sweets, true to form, mounted a comeback in the bottom of the extra inning, with 3 bunt base hits, loading the bases. A ground ball force out at home created the first out of the inning, but the next batter knocked the ball back up the hole to score someone (we can’t remember who!) from third. The Sweets then sealed the deal with a walk off flutter ball to right field that scored the game winning runs. Pandemonium ensued and the Sweets streak remained intact.
“Well, I think they cheated,” said a sore John Biagi, trying to reconnect his shoulder. Sore shoulder indeed. No further comment was sought.
“In all seriousness, we are glad no one passed out,” said Fraser. “We have the best fans in the game and they start with our season ticket holder base – it is because of these people that took a chance on us when we were just a single-page website, a phone and a laptop that we were able to have such a great first season. We are humbled and grateful for their trust in us and hope they had a memorable evening.” |
