Fast Plastic

Since 2004 FAST PLASTIC has offered the Fast Plastic Power Points system (otherwise known as FP3) as a method for qualifying for the NCT. And each year more teams use the system to rack up points securing a slot in Texas. At first glance some point totals are overwhelming and might indicate a team's dominance throughout FP but thats not the case. The point could even be argued that more points may spell earlier defeat at the world's most dominating wiffleball tournament, the NCT.

In 2004 New England's 603 Allstars racked up a whopping 699 points on the season. Following closely, State of Mind chalked 621 total points. 603 went down in the round of eight to Team Longball while State of Mind failed to make the playoffs. '04 National Champs, the Swingers from New Jersey, wound up with only 288 points ranking 35th overall at the completion of the regular season.

The following season, FP adjusted the point system and total scoring was dramatically lowered. For 2005 New York's Mud Ducks scored 154 points on the season. The Ducks entered the NCT heavily favored to win but fell in the Final Four to Champion In the Box (In the Box scored only 67 total FP3 points). The Texas Marshals scored an amazing 133 points, second to the Ducks but were ousted in the round of 32 by Nads 0-1.

Again in 2006 the Texas Marshals were high-scoring. They booked 300 points posted a 24-1 win/loss record and won all NCQs entered (5). But the Marshals lost in the round of 32 to New England's Gold 0-4. On the other hand the 11th overall team for points, the Rookies scored 177 and won it all. Georgia's Unarmed with 278 points, good enough for second, went down in the round of 32 to the Wiffaholics 2-3.

This has been the year of the video in the New York and New Jersey regions and it will continue to Austin, Tx. Brett Bevelacqua, a film maker from Palisades, NY, plans on making a documentary in hopes of helping the sport grow. Brett has put numerous hours into filming and editing the action he has shot so far on the fields. He has an extensive history in film and already has produced and shot a documentary on motorcycles and biking. His equipment is second to none. Most of what he has been filming is in high definition, and the sound is incredible.

Brett has taken footage on almost every team that has come to NJ to play. He has even made some compilation videos of teams' seasons to date. He has done over a dozen interviews at the fields and even traveled during the week to some regional directors homes to film and interview there. Brett is a big wiffleball fan and plays with his buddies up in NY at least every other week during the summer months. He has his own small league, keeps track of stats, and yes, he does film some of his games.

Brett hopes to enter his wiffleball documentary into various film festivals sometime in 2009. He even plans to offer it to several television stations. Brett is making the long drive down to Texas in October for the National Championship. He will be asking for various interviews and be filming most of the games. In an effort to make the best possible film, he is hoping for your cooperation. So go up to him, introduce yourself, tell him what team you play for and what region, and if you see him at the bar, buy him a beer!

The 2008 NCT has been set for Columbus Day Weekend which falls on October 10 thru 13 (Friday-Saturday-Sunday). Cedar Park, Texas will once again host the event. Festivities begin Friday afternoon with the Homerun Derby. NCT Team Registration will be $125.00 per team. All registrations must be received by Fast Plastic prior to September 10, 2008. Any team not registered by that date will forfeit its bid.

Homerun Derby entry fee will be $10.00. 50% of the fees go to HR Derby 1^st and 2^nd place. If we receive 50 entries HR Derby champ will receive $200 and the runner-up given $50.

Team uniform standards will be strictly enforced. Each player must wear a matching team uniform and hat for the '08 NCT. Any player not abiding by the team uniform policy will be asked to leave the playing field. This year's NCT could host as many as four documentary crews giving Fast Plastic the highest amount of media exposure in years.

With help from Tim Dean much of the NCT equipment will be upgraded or replaced for this year's tournament. FP will strive to keep spending to a minimum without sacrificing quality. We want to give each player the best playing conditions possible in order to keep the NCT the pinnacle of the Wiffleball World.

Fast Plastic will offer activities for players arriving on Thursday October 9. Wiffle Golf and 8-ball tournaments are being planned.

HELP WANTED: FP is offering $100.00 for individuals interested in assisting with operations and set-up of the NCT fields. Please contact Bill Owens if interested.

FP has been hard at work building structure for the 2009 season. The organization will experience across the board changes. Although we cannot reveal all the plans at this time we can assure that the impact will be felt in each region. One element that will return is Regional Playoffs. In addition, qualifying for the NCT will be a more difficult but rewarding path. Great emphasis will be placed on the regular season, regional playoffs, attendance, winning all games, and regional standings. Less emphasis will be placed on a national points scale.

The entire concept is still early in the planning stages and should be ready for announcement just prior to the NCT.

Fast Plastic has received numerous inquiries regarding the release date of the newsletter. Original plans were to distribute copies each month through customized email software. However, as of June 2008 overall interest in the Newsletter has been minimal and would not validate costs incurred to distribute the periodical. Fast Plastic continues to accept subscribers and once the numbers threshold has been met the Newsletter will go into circulation. The newsletter's main objective is to present ideas and opinion based material to players around the world in order to stimulate growth and innovative concepts. Anyone currently not signed up to receive the newsletter is urged to do so.

There's no denying that high fuel prices are driving away the wifflers. Numbers in almost every region are down. Younger players are finding less spare change to pay entry fees and those traveling teams that normally hop from region to region are now feeling the affect of much higher airline ticket prices. 2008 has been a record season for postponed tournaments. Some of the traditionally smaller regions seem to be the hardest hit. Michigan has been the only region to go belly up this year. The remaining Dallas NCQs have been moved to Oklahoma City. Phoenix moved its highly anticipated Show Low NCQ back in to the Phoenix area due to lack of participation. Florida has postponed its last NCQ to very late in the season in an effort to draw more teams. San Diego is probably the hardest hit of all regions. SD has the highest fuel prices and subsequently has seen the largest drop in the number of total entries this year. Is relief in sight? According to economic indicators crude oil is expected to drop and the US Dollar is regaining value but the housing market and airline industry are both in shambles. All of these issues contribute to the lowered interest in Wiffleball tournaments.

All teams planning to attend the 2008 NCT shouldn't hesitate when searching for affordable travel arrangements. Start your search now so not to pay inflated prices later.