2008 Season Opens April 13
Following the Sunday Services and weather permitting the 2008 SLAWB season will open on April 13. Rumor has it that off season conditioning and training will add a whole new dimension to the league.

Ben DeWalt is Mr. October (Oct 7)
In what appeared to be another fruitless at bat, Ben DeWalt drove swing number five into the street for his first official SLAWB home run and victory.  The Ball was immediately given to the newly formed SLAWB Hall of Fame and safely ensconced behind water-proof glass.  DeWalt's smash ended the longest 0-fer streak in SLAWB history.  Lesser competitors would have folded under the pressure and taken up less competitive activities, but DeWalt continued to work on his swing.  Mr. October has three more Sundays this month to make his mark on the league.

Mennell over Dalton in Tie-Breaker (Sep 23)
It's deja vu all over again. Michael Dalton went long on his last pitch to tie John Mennell the first Home Run and send the contest into extra innings. In extra innings, Dalton batted first and came up short in his five swings.  Mennell only needed one pitch from Ben DeWalt to notch the victory.

 Mennell over Dalton in Tie-Breaker (Sep 9)
Michael Dalton went long on his last pitch to notch the first Home Run during picnic play on a muggy afternoon.  Mennell answered by barely making it to the sidewalk for the only other long ball in the first round of play.  Notable "0" fers included Ben DeWalt, AJ Dewalt and Art Borsi.  In the tie breaker Mennell notched two Home runs to Dalton's none to win the Derby Competition and propel himself into the season lead for Homers in Official Derby play. 

Taliaferro says Good-Bye with Win (August 26)
Russell Taliaferro picks up a big win in his final game of regular season play before heading off to college.  Taliaferro had the only home run of the day

"Old Guys Rule" (August 5)
Art Borsi repeated the phrase, "Old guys rule" as he waited patiently for the right pitches, taking two of five long to propel himself into a tie with John Mennell for the season lead in home runs.  Borsi's second consecutive victory put him in the lead for Derby wins with two.  Russell Taliafero, Michael Dalton, and Mennell each have one victory in Derby play.   No home runs have been hit by anyone under 40 since May. Borsi left the field after the victory without any medical assistance.

Borsi's cry of "Old guys rule," was aimed at the younger players whose mighty swings all came up short.  In batting practice Ben DeWalt crushed two consecutive balls, but came up just short of recording his first official home run.

Borsi Bashes - Ben Crashes (June 24)
Art Borsi's dedication to SLAWB paid off with the only long shot of the day (in official play) giving him the victory and a share of second place in the season totals.  Borsi returned to the church after a selfless transportation mission to take his swings.  His first cut went long and that was all that was needed to secure the win.

Ben DeWalt continued his dominance of un-official play with five smashes - most over the sidewalk - both before and after the official competition. "He looked unstoppable today," commented John Mennell who pitched to him in both batting practice and the derby.  "I was really surprised that he came up short. He was hitting the ball with great confidence," Mennell commented later.

 Mennell Dominates Dad's Day Play (June 17)
In an unprecedented display of power Father John Mennell had the only home runs (3) in Father's Day competition on June 17.  "I was making it easy for him," said pitcher Ben DeWalt, "He's getting old."  The three shots blasted Mennell into the season lead, as Russell Taliaferro came up short.  Other players on Father's Day included Art Borsi, Stuart Christie, AJ Dewalt, Nigel John-Baptiste and Lovie Abner.

Disputed Hit Leaves Dalton a Winner (May 20)
There was no doubt about the crushing shot Michael Dalton delivered over the sidewalk on Sunday afternoon. Next to Rob Smith's homer two weeks earlier it was the longest shot of the season.

The only debate was about the day's overall winner.  John Mennell had a well hit line drive, that after contact with a fielder reached the sidewalk.  The on-the-field ruling (by Mennell) was that it was a legitimate HR.  Later video review and physics calculations based on velocity, rotation, air temperature and wind speed showed little chance of the ball actually reaching the sidewalk. Mennell accepted the ruling saying, "Dalton's shot was clear, and mine was suspect. He deserves the win."

Notable rookies in this week's competition included Sonja Cole and Lisa Green.

Two Long Balls in Two Weeks (May 13)
In two different weeks of SLAWB play (April 29 and May 13) on two HRs have been record with Rob Smith sending a crushing blow over a car parked in foul territory to tie John Mennell in the Mother's Day rumble.

No HRs were recorded in the tie-breaker leaving Smith and Mennell even at the end of the day.

Ben DeWalt, A.J. Dewalt, Russ Taliaferro, Art Borsi and Jill Eden all failed to go long on a gorgeous May afternoon.  In post match-up batting practice, Ben DeWalt went long continuing his dominance of un-official play.

In April 29 play, no HRs were scored.

SLAWB opens 2007 Season (April 15)
The April 8 Easter Bunny Brunch marked the opening of the St. Luke's Association for Wiffle^(R) Ball's 2007 season.  Despite several rules conflicts, Russ Taliaferro took the early season Home Run Derby match with two long balls beating out Art Borsi's single shot to left.  Other competitors included Mike Alberga, Brienna Borsi, Stuart Christie, Michael Dalton, Ben DeWalt, and John Mennell.

Over the course of the afternoon there was a still unconfirmed report of a Ben DeWalt HR as well as other Taliaferro long balls, all using non-standard, un-approved equipment.

Play continued following the Diocesan Confirmation Retreat on April 14.  The only HR was hit by John Mennell, but it was not during official Derby play.

Play is planned for Sunday afternoons following coffee hour when weather permits. All (ages/skills) are invited to participate.  If you would like to play with us or want more information, contact John Mennell.

HR Derby Official Rules:

• Only unmodified official Wiffle^(R) equipment may be used
• Batter may choose pitcher of choice
• Five swings are permitted each game
• HR are counted when the ball reaches the sidewalk (or beyond) on the fly
• There is no foul territory in HR derby
• Ties will be broken by another five swings among the individuals with
• By canon law it is likely that the Rector has final say on both rule and equipment disputes