LAS VEGAS WIFFLERS
Las Vegas, Nevada
TOURNAMENT ROSTER
Matt Trzpis (c) – RHP/LHB – Age 44 – Nevada
Steve Trzpis – RHP/LHB – Age 41 – Nevada
Adam Bohnet – RHB – Age 45 – Nevada
TEAM OVERVIEW
While many teams in this and other tournaments search the entire country over for talent, the Las Vegas Wifflers choose to keep their roster local. A stalwart of the fast pitch national championship tournament for more than a decade, the guys from Las Vegas have turned down past offers to join up with other teams, instead choosing to keep things local. That commendable choice has led to a relatively thin roster both this year and in years past. With only so many players to choose from in their hometown, the LV Wifflers have pursued a national championship the last three years as both a three-man and last year, a two-man squad.
That lack of depth might be an issue for some teams, but Las Vegas never seems phased by it. Rather, they appear to embrace it. Fewer rostered players mean more at bats for those on the roster, which is usually a good thing especially when you rake like these guys do. While going an entire tournament with just two pitchers is not appealing to most teams, the LV Wifflers have demonstrated they are both willing and capable to roll the dice with just Steve and Matt Trzpis to handle the pitching duties. Last year in Texas for Fast Plastic, the LV Wifflers covered seven games and 32 innings with just a pair of pitchers. Steve’s uncanny ability to rack up innings during a long tournament is impressive and will surely be on display again this October.
Las Vegas’ chances this October will be greatly aided by a hot start and by reducing the number games – to the extent possible – that they have to play. Although Steve can pitch deep into tournaments without a significant decrease in stuff, the fresher he is later in the tournament the better off the team will likely be. There is also the potential challenge of Sunday. Recently, Las Vegas hasn’t had to deal with pitching Steve back-to-back days after throwing all day Saturday. Fast Plastic was a one-day tournament in 2017 and Las Vegas failed to make it to Sunday each of the last two years. If they advance to Sunday this year, a story to watch will be how well Steve’s arm holds up working consecutive days.