BRYAN ALBONESI

Height: 6-3  Weight: 235 Bats: Right  Throws: Right Hometown: Bedford, MA SCOUTING REPORT: Batting: Don't let him extend his arms. He feasts on pitches out and over the plate. Pitch him low and inside, he has a tendency to "go fishing" for pitches. Pitching: Although he not the pitcher he was 5 years ago, he still is the game's most dominant. He possesses a great fastball, which is complimented by a devastating curveball to lefties. Most of the runs he gives up are by way of the long ball. Fielding: He has limited range, but the balls he gets to he makes the plays on. Baserunning: He has below average speed, but is a very alert baserunner. BIO: When the "Batmen" hopped on the shoulders of their 16 year old slugger, and rode him to Victory Lane, many thought they were watching the greatest power hitter the game had ever seen. No one in their right mind would have thought that this kid from Spain would evolve into arguably the greatest pitcher of the modern era. A scout for "Dad's Boys" was quoted as saying, "You may think that Albonesi is purely a power pitcher, he's not. He loves to paint the corners and change speeds. He doesn't just toe the rubber and throw the ball. He goes up there with a game plan and pitches to you." He also has one of the greatest Wiffleball minds. Which is surprising given the fact that he never finished eighth grade, and has never learned the english language. With the aid of his translator, Albonesi says, "I might not be able to write a computer program or hold a conversation in english, but I can still kick some computer geek's ass on a Wiffleball field and Spanish test!" Sources close to Albonesi have said that he "hasn't been dedicated" to his usual rigorous off-season conditioning program. "I wouldn't be surprised to see him come into the year's tourney weighing in close to 3 bills", says one source close to the Albonesi camp, "he doesn't seem to still have the work ethic he once owned". There are many questions following Albonesi in this year's tourney, Can he repeat as Wiffleball champ? Will the extra 60 lbs. help or hurt him on the field? And will he ever graduate 8th grade? -BWA