The Rise Power Rankings, 2019 #6 (August 29, 2019)

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Nick Schaefer

While the standings - dictated by wins and losses - are ultimately all that matters at the end of the Mid Atlantic tournament season, during the season they may not always tell the full story. Player absences, a difficult strength of schedule, and plain old bad luck can muddy the waters mid year. “The Rise” power rankings goes beyond the current standings to gauge which five teams should be considered the favorites at season’s end and which team(s) are ready to crash the party at a moment’s notice.

Ranking a league with so much parity is not an exact science. Overall records and points are important, but not the be-all end-all. Momentum and “what have you done for me lately?” factors in as well. Most every team has experienced both ups and downs through the first five tournaments of 2019.

Surprise. No surprise. 

The final regular season tournament continued the consistent regular season themes of parity and surprises. The Backyard Brawl saw a first-time tournament champion crowned and a first-time finalist, which in-turn affected the Power Rankings.

The phrase “the calm (last regular season tournament) before the storm (playoffs)” doesn’t apply to MAW in 2019, as the craziness of each tournament displayed just how deep in talent the teams and players are.


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1. Juggernauts (2)

15-12 | 4 Top 4 Finishes | +40 Run Differential

This was an extra meaningful tournament for the Juggernauts. They entered the tournament with a lot on the line – trying to earn the #1 seed and a bye to the Sept. 14 playoff round, attempting to win their first regular season tournament after having three top four finishes, and proving to everyone they are the league’s top team.

Well, ironically they aced all those areas without having their ace Ryan McElrath. The Juggernauts finished 6-1 and defeated the Longballs to win the tournament. And what a brawl it was. They defeated some other juggernauts besides the Longballs including the Shortballs, POC, Yaks and their arch nemesis, ERL.

The Juggernauts have a real shot at winning the 2019 MAW title. They have it all—talent, pitching, hitting and now confidence and chemistry.

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2. ERL (1)

13-2 | 3 Top 4 Finishes | +44 Run Differential

Three times wasn’t the charm for this tournament-winning machine. After winning back-to-back tournaments, ERL fell short in its quest to three-peat, after losing to the Juggernauts in the playoff round. The new ERL squad still has an impressive record of 13-2. The squad will have to battle its way through the Sept. 7 playoff round in its attempt to win the team’s first ever MAW crown.

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3. Longballs (5)

16-12 | 4 Top 4 Finishes| -20 Run Differential

Finally it happened. Consistently finishing in the top four (3 times!) the Longballs finally broke through and made it the finals. They didn’t win the big game, but they proved they are more than just a consistent squad—they are as good as anyone in MAW.

Now all that is missing is a championship. Don’t be surprised if they continue to put it together and bring the title home to Ridley Park.

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4. Meats (NR)

10-4 | 2 Top 4 Finishes | +12 Run Differential

This squad has bounced in and out of the top 5 Power Rankings all season. It has nothing to do with talent and winning. It has to do with showing up. However, when they participate in tournaments, they usually show up! After finishing 2-2 in the Backyard Brawl the Meats are now 6 games over .500 (10-4) for the season. Don’t sleep on this team because they have plenty of hitting and pitching to compete for the title.

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5. Stompers (3)

13-12 | 2 Top 4 Finishes | +8 Run Differential

They are a team that can beat anyone and lose to anyone as seen with their slightly above .500 record of 13-12. Like some other teams they need to show they can be more consistent. Otherwise they can be eliminated quickly on Sept. 7.

However, if they put it together and they bring their hitting shoes (because their pitching should be just fine) they might be able to make it to the Sept. 14 playoff. The question is which team will show up on Sept. 7: the team that has a tournament championship under its belt or the team that has missed out on several playoff rounds?

The Rise Power Rankings, 2019 #5 (July 29, 2019)

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Nick Schaefer

While the standings - dictated by wins and losses - are ultimately all that matters at the end of the Mid Atlantic tournament season, during the season they may not always tell the full story. Player absences, a difficult strength of schedule, and plain old bad luck can muddy the waters mid year. “The Rise” power rankings goes beyond the current standings to gauge which five teams should be considered the favorites at season’s end and which team(s) are ready to crash the party at a moment’s notice.

Ranking a league with so much parity is not an exact science. Overall records and points are important, but not the be-all end-all. Momentum and “what have you done for me lately?” factors in as well. Most every team has experienced both ups and downs through the first five tournaments of 2019.

Just when you think you are figuring things out, everything changes! This edition of the Power Rankings includes lots of movement in both directions. Two previously unranked teams, including one that has never been ranked, move into the top five. We also saw two teams that were ranked change spots. I hope you all paid attention in your high school and college math classes because there are a lot of moving numbers this week . . .


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1.     ERL (1)

9-1 | 2 first place finishes

The word of the day for ERL is “sequel”, both in tournaments and matchups. ERL completed its back-to-back tournament wins with its newly shaped squad after defeating the Juggernauts in the finals and avenging their earlier loss to them in pool play. The only minor concern for this team is they will have to most likely fight through a crowded field of teams in the first playoff round on Sept. 7 to earn the last spot for the Sept. 14 championship round.

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2.     Juggernauts (5)

9-12 | 3 top four finishes

Things are starting to come together for this team that features a scary and powerful lineup. Perhaps they are peaking just in time for the playoffs and will make a run for the championship come September. On July 6th, the Juggernauts won the battle but lost the war. They beat ERL during pool play in an instant classic, 6-4, that featured line drives and homers all over the field, but lost to ERL 2-0 in the tournament finals.

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3.     Stompers (NR)

11-10 | 2 top four finishes

Consistency is the biggest obstacle for these young guns. They have alternated being ranked and unranked over the past three editions of the Power Rankings. They will still need to prove they can win when their entire roster is playing.  

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4.     New School Risers (NR)

8-12 | 1 top four finish

Once again, this team played their hearts out and finished in fifth place. This is the Risers first time breaking into the top 5 Power Rankings and they will need to do well in the next tournament to remain there as there are a number of teams on their heels.

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5.     Longballs (4)

11-11 | 3 top 4 finishes

The lone Ridley Park team in the top five was close to being unranked, but having the most points for the season saved them. Another off-tournament will drop them out of the Power Rankings.

Just Missing the Cut

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Shortballs (2)

Wow, a team that was once ranked first in the Power Rankings (after making it to two straight finals, winning one) is now on the outside looking in. How did this happen? Well, the last three tournaments haven’t been kind to this team—finishing 11th, 5th and 8th. They will need to do better to move back into the top five and more importantly compete for the championship this year.  

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NY Meats (3)

Their play on the field makes them a top five, probably a top three squad, but they have missed too many tournaments to be ranked ahead of some other teams. A good performance in August can see them shoot way up the rankings.

The Rise Power Rankings, 2019 #4 (July 1, 2019)

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Nick Schaefer

While the standings - dictated by wins and losses - are ultimately all that matters at the end of the Mid Atlantic tournament season, during the season they may not always tell the full story. Player absences, a difficult strength of schedule, and plain old bad luck can muddy the waters mid year. “The Rise” power rankings goes beyond the current standings to gauge which five teams should be considered the favorites at season’s end and which team(s) are ready to crash the party at a moment’s notice.

Four tournaments down and two to go! Mid Atlantic has turned into the Wild West both on and off the field. This includes a number of different teams making the playoffs at different tournaments, changing rosters, and Twitter smack talk. A battle is brewing in York as we sprint towards the Mid Atlantic Championship tournament. 

Once again, all of this action has brought some changes to the power rankings.

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1. ERL

5-0 | 1 top 4 finish | +29 run differential

New team, new roster, no problem. ERL shuffled their roster around (subtracting Dan Whitener and Johnny Costa and adding Devin Torres and Kenny Rodgers) going in Wiffle Wars and didn’t miss a beat. They went out and won the whole thing. In doing so, ERL showed that not only are they a super talented team but they are highly motivated to win. Watch out Wiffle world.

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2. Shortballs

12-7 | 2 top 4 finishes | +39 run differential

Playing a little shorthanded didn’t help, as the Shortballs finished 5th on June 15th but still moved up a spot in the rankings due to their past tournament excellence. The Shortballs have been to two finals and won one, which helps them stand out against other teams ranked below them. However, another slipup will seem them slide in the rankings. 

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3. NY Meats

 8-2 | 2 top 4 finish | +13 run differential

The Meats have played well in the two tournaments they have attended and will be a dangerous team to face both in the regular season and playoff round. The Meats have a good balance of hitting and pitching. In order for them to move up in the rankings they will need to notch a tournament championship.  

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4. Longballs

10-9 | 3 top 4 finishes | -33 run differential

They might not have a tournament victory or even a finals appearance yet in 2019, but the Longballs have been perhaps MAW’s most consistent team, leading the point standings with 40 points and making the playoff round in all but one tournament (where they lost in a play-in). But, like the Meats, they will be hungry to make it to the finals and win a tournament. The Longballs are slowly and steadily improving each tournament and are ready to peak for the playoffs. They will be a scary team to face come September. 

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5. Juggernauts

6-10 | 2 top 4 finishes | +16 run differential

Their Jekyll and Hyde performances in 2019 have them ranked lower than preseason predictions. The Juggernauts have two third place finishes but also didn’t make the playoff round in two tournaments. If they can put it together they are capable of winning it all. But they are running out of time.

 

Just Missing the Cut

Stompers

It was tough to leave them out, but the Stompers dropped from number three to unranked in the Power Rankings. In order to move up, the champions of the Philly’s Special tournament will need to turn their close loses into victories and make another playoff round.

New School Risers

Also, watch out for the New School Risers to potentially break into the top five. After making the finals in the last tournament, they seemed primed to go on a run.

The Rise Power Rankings, 2019 #3 (June 13, 2019)

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Nick Schaefer

While the standings - dictated by wins and losses - are ultimately all that matters at the end of the Mid Atlantic tournament season, during the season they may not always tell the full story. Player absences, a difficult strength of schedule, and plain old bad luck can muddy the waters mid year. “The Rise” power rankings goes beyond the current standings to gauge which five teams should be considered the favorites at season’s end and which team(s) are ready to crash the party at a moment’s notice.

At the midway mark of the season, sorting out the top 5 teams in MAW is getting messy . . . but a good kind of messy. The competition has been so evenly stacked that choosing between the first and third team – or the fifth and ninth teams – is no easy task. There has yet to be a repeat winner in three tournaments. Each team has had their ups and downs and we are still waiting to see if any team will break away from the pack. There was some significant movement in the rankings this edition and with the way things have gone we could very easily see a major shakeup next edition as well.


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1.      ERL (2)

11-4 | 2 Top 4 finishes | +19 run differential

A pool play exit for ERL feels like a major disappointment just because expectations for the team are – rightfully so – sky high. However, even the most talented squads are not immune from catching a team or two at an inopportune time. ERL ran into a pair of hot teams in Ridley Park, dropping 1-0 games to both of the tournament finalists (Meats and Stompers) in pool play which ultimately cost them the tournament. While four losses through three tournaments are a bit more than we might have expected from this group, they are still playing as well as any team in MAW and carry the greatest upside.

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2.      NY Meats (3)

8-2 | 2 Top 4 finishes | +13 run differential

The Meats have yet to be defeated in pool play this year and much of the credit for that goes to Jimmy Cole. Cole is a perfect 6-0 when pitching pool play and has helped his own cause with his work at the plate, particularly at the Opening Day Tournament. The Meats avenged their tough Opening Day semi-finals loss to ERL by taking them down in pool play in Ridley Park. Having had already beaten the Stompers on Opening Day, the Meats now hold wins over both teams they’ve lost to in 2019. The Meats are the proud owners of the highest winning percentage in Mid Atlantic so far this season (.800) and the pitching trio of Cole-Bush-VonSleusingen has arguably been the best of any team’s this year. If the Meats competed at all three tournaments thus far and played as well as they did at the two they did play in, it would be impossible to argue against them for the top spot.

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3.      Shortballs (1)

10-5 | 2 Top 4 Finishes | +33 run differential

Even more so than ERL, the Shortballs’ disappointing record in Ridley Park tells only half the story. There is no way to completely sugarcoat an 0-4 tournament, but it might be the best played 0’fer we will see this season. The Shortballs lost by one run on a walk off homerun, dropped two 0-0 total base games, and dropped another game 1-0. The only real difference between the Shortballs on June 1st and the Shortballs of April and May was their inability to manufacture runs. A few hits at key moments and their tournament looks a whole lot different. The Shortballs will need to get the bats going again to remain in the top tier as the season enters the back stretch.

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4.      Stompers (NR)

7-6 | 1 Top 4 Finish | +15 run differential

Obviously, the Stompers’ 5-1 record and 1st place finish in Ridley Park has a lot to do with them going from also-rans to a top five team but the foundation was laid before then. The Stompers entered the June 1st tournament as the only team outside the top 5 in the Power Rankings to have a positive run differential (+4). The team’s 2-5 record through the first two tournaments was not indicative of their play, they just needed some better fortune in the run distribution department. The Stompers got that in Ridley and coupled with better play on both sides of the ball they showed just the kind of force they can be. In beating ATF, ERL, the Juggernauts, and the Meats on the way to the title on June 1st, the Stompers took down four of the five positive run differential teams in MAW, with only the Shortballs missing.

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5.      Longballs (5)

7-7 | 2 Top 4 finishes | -28 run differential

Don’t let the Longballs unimpressive run differential (mainly earned in one blowout against the Lemonheads in May) fool you – they have been one of the most consistent teams in MAW this season. The only other team to finish top 5 or better in all three tournaments this year is ERL. Also, like ERL, the Longballs have succeeded despite not being able to execute their ideal pitching plan as of yet. If the team is able to get through a pool play round with Tommy Loftus completely fresh, they will be difficult to defeat.