Ok since no one stepped up to make some predictions (and I have nothing else to do at work), I decided to take a stab at it. I tried to factor in teams past experience and also account for the difficulty of their schedules. Hopefully my Blue Bull Bias didn't influence these predictions too much. This is of course all for fun and assigning odds is not meant to insult anyone or encourage any sort of gambling on this tournament. My intent is that you will find it interesting and it might spark some good natured debate on this thread leading up to Friday. With that said, my 2009 Wiffleball Prospectus:
THE FAVORITES
Nite Feeders 5:1
Last years runners up have a good chance to take home the title this year. Only one major obstacle in their division give them a good shot to make the playoffs.
Comets Express 11:2
Comets Express has been a steady force in the TRF tournament. In addition to their championship, they have made the playoffs 4 times in the past 5 years. Perhaps even more impressive is that when they have reached the playoffs, they have never lost in the first round.
Boston Beef 6:1
They are experienced, have a championship under their belt, and the best pitcher in the tournament. They have to get past the Bulls first, but they have never lost to the boys in blue.
THE CONTENDERS
Jack Hammers 15:2
This team would definitely be in the top group if it weren't for their tough divisional draw. If they make it to Sunday they will be tough to beat, but it will likely take one or two close games to get there.
CCR 8:1
They have done as well as anyone new to the tournament in the past few years. It is very difficult for newcomers to make the playoffs in their first tournament, but CCR did just that. Last year’s 2-1 record wasn’t enough to get them back there, but don’t count out this power hitting team in 2009.
Blue Bulls 17:2
Tad Skelley leads a Blue Bulls line up with a lot of depth. They'll be missing a key player, but they could get back to the championship game in 2009 as they did in 2006. That year their tournament was cut short by the Beef, and that could happen again as these two teams will have to face off in the divisional round.
SUNDAY HOPEFULS
Hot Dam 21:2
This team is all but a guarantee for the playoffs as the 3 teams in their division went 3-6 last year and none of them have ever won a playoff game. They will definitely run into some trouble when they face one of the above 4 teams, and should be wary of some of the teams below.
Juggernauts 12:1
This is another team that should handle their division, but might struggle on Sunday afternoon. But as we've seen in the past, anyone that makes it to Sunday has a good chance to knock off anyone in the tournament.
WILD CARD FAVORITES
Boston Terriers 14:1
A good young team that had an impressive showing in 2008. Unfortunately for them they will have to upset the Nite Feeders or hope for a wild card. If they make it to Sunday they can be dangerous, but it will be a tough road to get there.
SI Yankees 14:1
5 consecutive winning seasons. They have a tough draw with Jack Hammers and Curse Lifted, but I wouldn't count out this veteran team.
POSSIBLE SLEEPERS
Curse Lifted 50:1
Not sure they have enough to get past SI Yankees and Jack Hammers, but this team won the whole thing in 2007. That's more than some of these other teams can say.
Buckners 65:1
They are the only team that have a reasonable chance to beat the Juggz in the divisional round. Might be a tough Sunday for them if they do, but anythings possible.
The Field 100:1
There are a few new comers this year, and we never know if some other teams picked up new recruits. There is always a chance one of them go on a cinderella run, but previous years has shown that experience counts. The trophy should go to to one of the above 12 teams.
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