Opening Day Series Preview

Opening Day Series Preview

Let’s play some wiffle ball!

The 2026 CCW season kicks off this Sunday, with the first set of slow pitch matchups leading up to the CCW Cup - a new incentive for the slow pitch champion. All-new this season, the winner of the Cup will guarantee themselves a number one seed in the postseason tournament, regardless of their regular season record. Huge stakes for the slow pitch season!

All seven teams will be in action this weekend, before yet another full slate of fast pitch games this Wednesday. Here’s our first set of previews and predictions for this Sunday’s matchups. 

Game 1: Gold Socks vs. Moonshots

The brand new Gold Socks franchise get into their first action against perennial contender Moonshots to kick off the season. Austin Alles will hope to start his managerial career undefeated against a Moonshots squad with tons of pop at the top of the order, but questions behind it. Jorf Porsson, CCW insider reports that Will Smithey may miss this weekend’s games after a recent move, and if that is the case, their offense will be seriously neutered. The Socks’ offense, on the other hand, may score more slow pitch runs than anyone else in the league. 

Winner: Gold Socks
Game MVP: Connor Young

Game 2: Ligers vs. 8 Balls

The other new franchise, the Ligers, quickly get into action this Sunday, as well, against the defending runners-up, the 8 Balls. The Balls are likely to also be playing short-handed, with Keegan Caughey on baby-watch, and some other players with weekend availability questions. Reid Werner may have the best slow pitch in the league, but the Ligers’ bats get to face the rest of the roster, too, and that group led by Dylan Jones and Aidan Palmer should be able to do plenty of damage.

Winner: Ligers
Game MVP: Aidan Palmer

Game 3: Outlaws vs. Short Shorts

The Shorts will kick off their title-defense quest against an Outlaws team that looks built for slow pitch. Alex Gurtcheff was last year’s slow-pitch season MVP, and Cade Luker, Mitch Buis, and Jay Wilsey all mash slow pitch, as well. Luker may be unavailable for weekend games this season, though, and the Shorts’ offensive core of Brendan Dudas and Cody House can hold serve against this group. This might be the most exciting matchup of the day.

Winner: Short Shorts
Game MVP: Cody House

Game 4: Hounds vs. Moonshots

Jorf Porsson reports that Myc Witty is likely to be unavailable for the Hounds this weekend, which is a massive blow to their chances in any game - even ones in the slow pitch format. Coby Taylor is capable of going nuclear at the plate, especially in slow pitch, and he’ll likely need to do so to out-slug the Moonshots. 

Winner: Moonshots
Game MVP: Thomas Hopkins

Game 5: 8 Balls vs. Gold Socks

This matchup, I fear, is the one most likely to get ugly. The 8 Balls are likely playing short-handed, and their lineup already lacks thump. The Socks’ defense, especially with an extra defender for slow-pitch games, isn’t going to let much drop. I predict a perfect, 2-0 start for the Gold Socks after this one. 

Winner: Gold Socks
Game MVP: Rudy Lyon

Game 6: Short Shorts vs. Ligers

This should be another tight contest for the Shorts, facing what looks like a potent slow pitch offense on the Ligers. The lineups match up pretty well in this format, and if balls are hit over the wall, defense won’t be much of a consideration. Unless, of course, Brayden Scott decides to not let home run fences deter him, and makes a signature body-sacrificing play or two. 

Winner: Short Shorts
Game MVP: Brayden Scott

Game 7: Outlaws vs. Hounds

This ought to be the softer of the two matchups for the Outlaws this Sunday, closing the day against a reportedly Witty-less Hounds squad. I just can’t see the Outlaws bats getting outscored twice in one day, and they certainly on paper have more firepower than the Hounds. As long as they can catch the ball and haven’t indulged in too much Bird Dog by gameday, I think the Outlaws win this one handily.

Winner: Outlaws
Game MVP: Mitch Buis

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