6 Innings With Jake Tomko
written by Commissioner Gallaway
The guest this week is another rookie, Jake Tomko. In just three weeks, Tomko has two POTW nominations under his belt. If only his teammates had voted for him, he might even have hardware. He’s part of the league’s shiny new object, the Blandsford Barnburners. Where is Blandsford? Why are they burning down barns? You won’t find answers to these questions here, but if you offer to buy them beer, or introduce them to a girl, they might tell you. Tomko’s streak of 20 perfect innings, the only 20 he’s thrown, is the longest in league history. Is he the best pitcher in the PWL, and if so, do we really care? The streak may end soon, but the first guy who has a real shot at the Pitching Triple Crown will hopefully be around for a while.
Jake Tomko
Nickname: Uncle Jake
Age: 19
Hometown: Manasty, VA
Currently Resides: Manasty, VA
Employer: PWCS
Bats: Hard
Throws: Hard
TWIF: What is your favorite baseball team and who is your favorite baseball player of all time?
JT: Apart from the Barnburners and the Montgomery Biscuits, the New York Yankees rule my life. My first Yankees game was the 1996 World Series Game 2, the same year as Derek Jeter’s rookie season. I’ve followed him ever since. He exudes what a baseball player should be – hardworking, talented, and has no college degree.
TWIF: Have you ever used a Wiffleball bat for anything other than its intended purpose?
JT: Well if Deadliest Warrior would ever feature myself, my short range weapon of choice would definitely be an Official Wiffle Bat. Many backyard games have featured arguments over fair and foul turn into vicious combats where he who holds the bat is king.
TWIF: What is your favorite thing about Wiffleball?
JT: When going 5 for 8 with 2 homers is an average day for one of the twins.
TWIF: Pitcher’s Hand or Pegging?
JT: Pitchers Hand makes the game flow faster, but few things are more empowering than pegging a guy from 30 ft away – like Kris Garcia did in week 2.
TWIF: If you could lock up one player from the league in the Fort for the rest of the season, who would it be?
JT: I don’t know about any players, but maybe Clapp’s Terminator shades. But maybe I’m just bitter because he struck me out.
TWIF: It’s your rookie season, you’ve played five games over three days, for a total of 20 innings. Some of the girls in the league have had periods longer than that. You know that you’re eventually going to give up a hit, and also a run. The math is just against you. What the streak has meant to you; how it’s going to affect you and your teammates when it ends; and how does it compare to possibly winning a world series?
JT: The streak has been a lot fun. Now that I’ve gotten a legitimate perfect game, I’m okay with the streak ending. I just hope the streak ends on a solid hit, no little Mookie Wilson dribbler that allows a runner on. I’ve been lit up before against my teammates in some backyard games, so I know how it feels to really suck. It feels good to be on a roll like this. The streak ending will not affect the team as a whole. I’m excited to play some of the proven talent in this league to show that the Barnburners aren’t a case of beginners luck and are here to stay. But as for the streak ending, well, we’ll see when we get there.
Color Commentary - posted 2009-06-05 01:23 in Six-Innings
6 Innings with Michael Kirby
written by Commissioner Gallaway
We’re bringing back a fan favorite this week by sitting down with Michael Kirby for Six Questions in Six Innings. Kirby was named as the league photographer by Commissioner Gallaway this week, becoming the second person in history to hold the job. The last photographer, Chris Kennedy, did great work, but disappeared shortly after his appointment. We’re hoping Kirby sticks around longer. He took a record 99 photos during Week 2. If only his batting average was that high.
Michael Kirby
Age: 27
Hometown: Chocolate City, USA (DC, born and raised)
Resides: Manassas, VA
Employer: Community Residences in Chantilly, VA
Bats: R (but will hit from the other side of the plate for giggles)
Throws: R (it’s my strong hand)
TWIF: What is your favorite baseball team and who is your favorite baseball player of all time?
MK: Favorite baseball team? By a country mile, the Boston Red Sox. All hail Sawx Nation. My favorite player growing up was Ryan Sandberg. Currently, it’s Mr. MVP Dustin Pedroia.
TWIF: Have you ever done anything under the bleachers you’re not proud of?
MK: I refuse to answer that question on the grounds I might incinerate myself. Because if I do more than hint at the bleacher activity, Shawn might try to set me on fire.
TWIF: What is your favorite thing about Wiffleball?
My favorite thing about The Wif is the smell of hot plastic, the thunk of the bat, and the thrill of victory. But mostly it was seeing BClapp’s face when our motley band of free agents beat the Possi week one. Love that guy, but man, how do you let a bunch of first-timers split the series?
TWIF: Ground Out or Fly Out?
MK: Fly Out. Gets my hopes up that they might not catch it.
TWIF: If you could lock up one player from the league in the Fort for the rest of the season, who would it be?
MK: I’d lock up Jack from the Barnburners, no doubt. One, because they’d have to forfeit with only two players, and two, because it should be against league rules to be that good. Stop setting the bar so high!
TWIF: They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression. The Wackazoids had never met each other before Week 1, and yet, seem to be having as much fun as a team as the Rossi Posse. What’s the secret to your team’s chemisty and what are you guys going to do to stay on top of the Western Division?
MK: That’s a quality question there, Chris. Let me go on record as saying that we wanna play good and we hope we play good and there’s no “I” in team and it’s a team effort and we just go out there and give 110%. Standard locker room reply aside, I haven’t a clue. Sex jokes and music via cell phone? Major kudos to our players after every play? Not caring about the score? Putting in Brenna to pitch? Whatever it is, the mojo is flowin. And whatcha gonna do, brutha, when the ‘Zoids run wild on YOU!? * flex *
Color Commentary [5] - posted 2009-05-05 22:16 in Six-Innings
6 Innings with Brian Clapp
written by Commissioner Gallaway
We’re bringing back a fan favorite this week by sitting down with Brian Clapp for Six Questions in Six Innings. Clapp begins his third season in the PWL managing a team that seems more likely to fit in at an Amnesty International rally than a wiffleball field. Sporting pirate uniforms and a traveling with a posse that can’t be counted on two hands they make the chatty Masterbatters look like Calvin Coolidge. Their come from behind victory over the Mud Puppies during week one showed they are for real, and their leader also ripped his first career homer while putting on an impressive offensive performance. Sure, it was his 4 errors in the field that helped get them run-ruled in the second game, but don’t count them out or you’ll be walking the plank.
Read the full entry - Color Commentary - posted 2008-04-10 00:09 in Six-Innings
6 Innings with David Gross
written by Commissioner Gallaway
David Gross sits down with us this week for 6 Innings. As the 3rd or 4th man on the dream team, two-time World Champion Canvassers, David was often out of the spotlight. Now, managing his own team, named after his fiesty player and business partner, Mary’s Mad Dogs, he’s coming into his own. Will his team, that started off to a 4-0 start be able to hold on and make the playoffs? Only time will tell.
Read the full entry - Color Commentary - posted 2007-06-09 19:46 in Six-Innings
6 Innings with Lindsay Fincher
written by Commissioner Gallaway
Fresh off her birthday before Week 4, which was celebrated with cupcakes in between games, we’re sitting down with Lindsay Fincher of the DC Wifflehouse. Whether it’s being featured on the front page of the Examiner (Read Here) during practice, or traveling the world, Lindsay is part of the new generation of players that will help define Wiffleball for years to come. Sure, Ryan Hughes is the head of the Ballers…er…the Wifflehouse, but Fincher is the heart. A 6 Innings profile can’t do her justice, so check out Lindsay’s blog at lindsayfincher.com.
Read the full entry - Color Commentary - posted 2007-05-28 17:43 in Six-Innings
6 Innings with Dan Dondero
written by Commissioner Gallaway
This week, we’re chatting with Dan Dondero, manager of the Masterbatters. In addition to giving the MB’s their clever name, Dan’s got something to say about everything. His witty remarks, someone once said, have their own witty remarks. He stance, like his personality is long and narrow. He kind of looks like a long-neck beer bottle, and he’s not unfamiliar with it’s contents.
Read the full entry - Color Commentary - posted 2007-05-13 20:46 in Six-Innings
6 Innings with Kevin Hyde
written by Commissioner Gallaway
This week, we’re chatting with Kevin Hyde, manager of the Hot Sundaes. Despite being the league punching bag, Kevin’s not afraid to get personal, either on or off the field.
Read the full entry - Color Commentary - posted 2007-05-03 19:38 in Six-Innings
6 Innings with Mindie Reule
written by Commissioner Gallaway
This week, we’re chatting with Mindie Reule, player for the Borg. Some people think she’s the best female player in the league, which is kind of like being the first runner up in the sheep category at the county fair. She dives for catches, hits the ball hard, and isn’t afraid to run over a player on the basepaths if they get in her way. If she had a good nickname, we’d almost say she was a ball player.
Read the full entry - Color Commentary - posted 2007-04-25 16:17 in Six-Innings
6 Innings with Ross Duenas
written by Commissioner Gallaway
This week, we’re chatting with Ross Duenas, Manager of the Coconut Cowboys. It takes a real man to wear yellow, does this rookie season Triple Crown winner have what it takes to become one of the greatest players in PWL history?
Read the full entry - Color Commentary - posted 2007-04-24 22:37 in Six-Innings
6 Innings with Stephen Zigmund
written by Commissioner Gallaway
Each week we’ll sit down wtih a player and ask 6 questions in 6 innings. First up, the Deputy Commissioner Stephen Zigmund. He’s been called cute by some, a disappointment by others, we’ll leave this call in your hands.
Read the full entry - Color Commentary - posted 2007-04-15 14:10 in Six-Innings
