Year in Review: A look back at 2010

NEW CARLISLE- The fourth season of the Old Republic Wiffle Ball League concluded with

the South Bend Sour Wowers defeating We've Got the Runs in the ORWBL World Series for the franchise's first championship. While both teams finished the regular season with identical 30-12 records, the Sour Wowers easily swept The Runs in four games: 23-8, 17-5, 23-5, 13-5. The Wild Card South Bend team went 9-0 in the postseason. The season marked the first that the ORWBL was a member of the National Wiffle League Association. The Pterodactyls, who went 38-4 in the regular season, but were swept out of the ALCS by the Sour Wowers, finished the year as the 12th-ranked team in the nation. The Sour Wowers finished ranked 13th. Division champions were: Pterodactyls (AL East), LaPorte Sox (AL West), New Carlisle Newts (NL East), and The Runs (NL West). Emery's Army won the National League Wild Card, while the Sour Wowers took it on the American League side. The fourth annual All-Star game was once again held at Migley Field. The American League dominated the National League, winning 27-15. Denis Jedrysek of the Pterodactyls collected his second All-Star Game MVP award, having previously won the honor in 2007. The year saw extremes both in pitching dominance and offensive production. On June 27, LaPorte Sox pitcher Keith Ludwig tossed a perfect game against the crosstown rival Bombers. On July 7, the New Carlisle Newts exploded to put up a league record 46 runs on We've Got the Runs, in a 46-23 slugfest at Migley Field. This past year saw the end of two charter members of the league. Phat Dong was forcibly contracted after another season of futility and worthlessness. The Lil' Saints also left the league, after folding due to lack of interest. The 2010 season showed that the league still has plenty of room for improvement. Among the major areas of concern are forfeited games and keeping statistics. The league will focus on the issues going forward in 2011.