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Idiots determined to Win in 2010
By VI Sports Insider | January 6, 2010
There might be snow on the ground and most people are planning their next ski trips, but the front offices of the Village Idiot softball organization have been hard at work ever since last season ended. With a disappointing end to the 2009 summer season the Idiots are focusing on fundamentals and putting a playoff team in the field for 2010.
Some might have seen the 2009 season as an improvement from their first season back in 2007 (4-12), but most of the Idiots felt they didn’t play up to their expectations. There is a lot of experience and talent in the lineup for the V.I. with many of the players having several career championships, and not qualifying for the playoffs in unacceptable for most.
A lot of rumors have been going around and in this HOT STOVE report we will discuss most of the scenarios facing the V.I. heading into the 2010 season.
With five games left in the 2009 season the Idiots were at the moment just 1/2 a game out of first place with an 8-3 record. They would then lose 4 out of their last 5 games to finish 9-7 and out of the playoffs after a Mets-like collapse, or like this year’s New York Giants. First year manager Pete Allocco did have them playing well at times but rumors have it the front office was very upset on how the season finished. Allocco’s job seems safe for now, rumors have it he will be leaning on getting help from assistant coach Tom Stanley, who managed Burke’s Landing to 3 titles and the ‘07 VI team, and bench coaches Joe Wesselhoft and Tom Casal.
As far as the roster, the V.I. doesn’t seem to be making many changes though some say they might be looking at adding a bat or two. The Idiots received good news that it will have Local 42 members Steve ”Espo” Esposito and Steve “Stud” Studley full-time in the 2010 season. The Steve’s will provide some veteran leadership on the field as well as in the parking lot after games. Each of them played just 5 games last season with the Idiots and both hit .500. Studley gives the Idiots another lefty in the lineup and an experienced outfielder with a strong arm. Esposito brings with him a DeMarini bat the whole team enjoys using and more power in the order. Esposito will see most of his time at first base but the Idiots will also rely on him to spell starting pitcher Roy Vaccaro if needed.
Espo will be joined in the infield with returning starters Stanley at second base, Wesselhoft at third base and Casal at shortstop. The Idiots were in most of their games last year thanks in part to solid defense from these 3 veterans and they also provided plenty of offense at the top of the lineup. Casal had his appendix removed in the off-season but the shortstop vows the surgery will not slow him or the team down.
Casal taking the words from Jets supafan Fireman Ed shouted, “Bring It, Bring It, Bring It…..We will!”
A big question mark coming into the ‘09 season was, who would the V.I. look to as their number one pitcher and leader. Luckily for 2010 the answer is Roy “Johan Delabante Chesney” Vaccaro. Vaccaro was sharp on the mound all season and flashed the leather almost every start. Vaccaro has been rumored to be working on lowering his walk totals in the off-season by tossing ping pong balls into 20 oz. solo cups. Behind the plate will most likely be Vaccaro’s favorite target Pete “Hambino” Allocco. Allocco was the team’s lone lefty for most games and provides some pop in the middle of the lineup as well as plenty of post-game entertainment.
Tom Weber was one of the leaders of the V.I. last season patrolling the outfield and batting leadoff. In his rookie season Weber led the team with a .650 batting average, and with a season under his belt the organization was really looking forward to seeing Weber lead the outfield again. But word on the street is that Weber will be following his life-long idol Rodney Dangerfield’s way and will be going Back to School, which could cause him to miss the 2010 season. Another question mark in the outfield is the never aging left fielder Danny Hansen. The father-to-be might not be able to commit to a full season since come spring, he’ll be changing more than his own diapers.
The rest of the outfield returns as George “Yablo” Walls and Matt Shiels look to bounce back after average seasons. Shiels is hoping with the spring leagues and tournaments scheduled for the VI will get him back to his old ways and will be among the leaders of the team. Walls, who has been playing in the Puerto Rican winter league just outside his hometown San Juan, predicts to have a comeback season as well.
V.I. founder/third baseman Dan Knipscher is hoping to rejoin the team full-time but the front office will know more in the upcoming months. Knip will always have a spot on the team since he provides the team with uniforms, sponsorship, and his Dave Madagan-like skills. Other veterans the front office are awaiting word on is 1B/3B Danny Ryan, OF Gerry Connors, and OF/C John Walls. Some may return to the V.I. but chances are just as good none of them will be back in the blue and gray.
The Village Idiots are hoping to be taking the field early March in a 4-week spring season which ends with a one-pitch tournament on April 18th. Following that they will take place in the Ed Smith tournament in Long Beach which is usually in late April just before the Long Beach softball regular season begins in early May. Stay tuned for more news on the upcoming season for the V.I., including all trade rumors, free-agent moves and transactions.
Topics: Everything VI, Softball |
January 7th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Perhaps we’ll break out some new VI gear for the season… after all, this is the 10th anniversary of the Village Idiots!
January 7th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
I was gonna ask you to maybe just swap the colors on the jerseys…this way we have both…plus a 10th anniversary patch
January 19th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
I am in for the season…”no bodies gunna slow me down , oh no, I got to keep on movin”.
January 20th, 2010 at 7:10 pm
Who will be the first person to be inserted into the VI famous, “Oh oh oh _____ crying”