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1995 - Beam Me Up Scotty ... I'm Upstate Bound
To explore unchartered worlds. The league entered Orange County in 1995 when DiCesare,
Lewis and Co. did the same. Games were played in the Valley Central High School parking lot in spite of strong headwinds
that oftentimes affected the ball's trajectory. But the true story of 1995 was the dedication and loyalty shown by Long
Islanders Steve Chapin, Bill Menendez, Steve Pomposello and Bill Willers who would make the 5 hour round trip from Long
Island every weekend from April to October. Chapin - an unapologetic 'Trekkie' - helped make the transition more palatable.
With his license plate reading PHASER, Chapin set his curveball on stun in 1995. It was Steve's ability
to intercede and quell arguments that saw the league through many difficulties. His generosity to league members was
unparalleled, whether providing financial support to those down on their luck, or simply a flavored rice cake to
those who dared travel the long and dangerous journey upstate with him every weekend, come rain or shine. After all ...
that's what friends are for.
Reviewer: NOT Steve's Mom
More pitching gold from Steve Chapin. June 14, 1995
Steve Chapin's triumphant return to the wiffleball fold is a welcome
one. After gracing the mediocre first years of the sport with what is arguably one of the greatest sports performances
ever composed (providing the League a truly memorable player of its own rather than let Alan or Chris or some
other cult member waste the notoriety), the prolific and gifted player again delivered a wonderful season. But where
DiCesare's *ahem* athletic talents fall short, Chapin's talent as a sporting composer of the highest magnitude is evident.
The Mountain that is Chapin's body of success is simply a beautiful cue as to what truly drives this league's success.
It starts with Chapin's famous curveball, then segues into the now revered Changeup Overture before introducing the gentle
yet majestic climbing theme that is the Fastball. The Klingon War Chant that Steve applies with reverance to his pre-game
ritual is again viewed as more than nominally compelling and adds nicely to the overall performance package. If I can
find any fault with his War Chant, it is when he allows some slipping through the cracks (notably when Sybok's troops captures
Paradise City on Nimbus III). But that it just nit picking. Any fan of wiffle ball will want this player on his/her
team. Highly recommended. Was this review helpful to you?
In the classic episode number 35 of the original Star Trek series, members of the USS Enterprise
need to overcome their cultural differences and pick teams for the annual Harry Mudd Charity softball tournament (The
event is held on the third Saturday of June). And even though she is 0-for-27 in past tournaments, the girl wearing no
shirt seems to get picked first every year. Sadly, the pink sky of Hyperion-9 only did nothing but add to the confusion.
BONUS CONTENT:
Ladies and gentleman ... this is the real deal. No, it's not photoshop. It is an actual license plate that
reads: Phasers. And it belonged to the incomparable Trekkie Steve Chapin as recently as 2002. See, and you thought we were
kidding. You thought all this website stuff with Star Trek fanatics, naked dudes getting tree sap on their butt and players
with hollow bones like a bird were creative license. Wrong! So sit back and enjoy the rest of the league history, knowing
full well that we exist and we might live next door to you!
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Batter of the Year - Chris DiCesare - with the pine sap off his butt - again did the honors,
winning his second consecutive long ball title by smacking some 55 out of the park, This in spite of strong winds blowing
in from the outfield, and the deep dimensions of the VCHS lot that reached 100 feet in straight-a-way center. Bucky also led
the league with 209 RBI, 56 base on balls and 16 grand slams. It was at the High School where future Commissioner Mike
Lewis made one of the most memorable statements in league history. Chris hit a titanic home run down the rightfield line so
high in the sky that Mike remarked aloud: "Oh My God! That thing threatened the light tower!" Mike's brother, Alan Lewis enjoyed the wide outfield expanses and stroked a league-leading 34 doubles. And Steve
Pomposello remained productive finishing second with 148 runs batted in.
Pitcher of the Year - Steve Chapin (pictured above) dominated the league with an IRA of 1.74. It
marked the first time that a hurler had posted an IRA under 2.00. Steve also set a new league mark with 9 victories, a record
that would stand for another seven years. Alan Lewis led the league in KO's for a second straight season - this time
with 67 - but he would suffer a surprising 7 losses due to the unmatched success of Chapin in head-to-head
matchups during the 1995 season. Chapin, who favored the intellectual Captain Picard to the more emotive Kirk, pitched in
like fashion. Rarely showing any outward emotion. And in spite of the fact that he loved nothing more than argue
with Steve Pomposello about whether that one ball back in 1989 was fair or foul, he exhibited a professional composure
as he sliced through lineups all season long.
League Leaders:
Home Runs Chris DiCesare (55)
RBI
Chris DiCesare (209)
Average -statistic not kept -
Wins Steve Chapin
(9)
KO's Alan
Lewis (67)
IRA
Steve Chapin (1.74)
Click on Year to View History
In Major League Baseball: The Atlanta Braves defeated the Cleveland Indians
Top Song: Take a Bow - Madonna
The animated feature Toy Story from Pixar dominated the box office in 1995.
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