This edition of Finkstonball marked the X-Presidents 5th trip to Attnang-Pucheim and the Chiefs first time back in the finals since they won it all in 2019. Getting to the finals this year was in large part due to a deeper than usual pitching staff and some great performances by some fresh faces. Another important reason for the successful campaign was the return of honest Abe Lincoln (Matt Righter) as both a player and head coach. He was joined by coaches Woodrow Wilson (Beth Woerner) and Thomas Jefferson (Shaen Bernhardt). Together they brought an inspired attitude to the tournament, and it certainly showed on the field.

In the first game of the tourney, a way too early 9:00 start, the Chiefs faced off against the familiar perennial Swiss champion Therwil Flyers. Learning from past mistakes, the X-President were determined to get off on the right foot, so Lincoln gave the ball to one of their best pitchers Bill Clinton (Ryan Byrne). Slick Willie’s relentless heater and devastating slider confounded the Flyers hitters. Clinton struck out 4 batters in 5 innings and only gave up 3 hits. The offense needed some time to get rolling, but finally broke through in the 4th inning. It was the bottom of the lineup that got things going. Garfield (Steven Murphey),Polk (Dawson Dullnig), and Carter (Saentis Zeller) were able to cash in the first run of the game with a hit by pitch and two hits. Washington (Steffen) delivered the biggest hit of the day a two out single that drove in two runs. James Madison (Ari Lonstein) completed the shut out, pitching a scoreless sixth and the X-President won 3-0.

In the second game, the X-President were matched up against the reigning champion, BBJO Globetrotters. A team stacked with nothing but import players that swept the tournament 2 years in a row, was going to be a challenge. Things definitely looked shaky at the start as BBJO capitalized on walks and errors to net 4 runs in the first two innings. In the third, the XPs settled down and made it a game. Washington (Steffen) held BBJO to just 5 runs in six innings in what would be the least runs given up to BBJO the entire tournament. Clinton (Bryne) led the Chiefs with 3 hits in the game. Carter (Zeller) scored two runs on two hits. Sadly, time expired and the XPs fell 5-2.

In the final game of pool play, the X-Presidents faced a must win game against Vindija Varazdin. To get the W in this very important game, coach Lincoln (Righter) gave the ball to himself. Two years prior, Lincoln gave the XPs their only win in the 2022 campaign against this same Varazdin team. Honest Abe stiffed the Croatian bats by changing speeds, changing arm angles, and even mixing in a few knuckleballs. Kennedy (Aidan Mitchell) and Coolidge (Marc Perkins) led the offense with 2 hits a piece and new comer Franklin D Roosevelt (Michael Warren) delivered the biggest hit, a two run double in the 4th inning. Lincoln and the XPs cruised to a 8-2 victory, with Lincoln punching out 8 batter in just 5 innings.

The victory propelled the Chiefs into the playoffs to face the hot hitting Budapest Red Wolves. In pool play the Red Wolves hit 7 home runs in 3 games. To try to subdue these aggressive hitter, the XPs gave the start to newcomer James Madison (Lonstein). There couldn’t have been a better choice. Madison delivered 4 shut out innings to start the game and racked up 9 ks in the process. Unfortunately, the Red Wolves ace was also up to the task and manage to keep the XP in check. In the 5th, the XPs finally broke through. Errors by the Red Wolves set the table and Polk (Dullnig) and FDR (Warren) cashed them in. FDR cleared the deck with a two run blast to left field, giving the Chiefs a 5 run lead. The long inning caught up to Madison and he surrendered several walks leading to 2 runs, but time expired after the 5th sealing the XPs 5-2 victory and place in the finals.

Unsurprisingly the only thing standing between the XPs and their second Finkstonball trophy was the two time defending champion Globetrotters. Due to a deep pitching staff, the XPs still had a rested FDR (Warren) and Kennedy (Mitchell) ready for their 5th game in 3 days. FDR took the start and was cracking up fastballs in the mid 80s. Unfortunately, for the Chiefs that only play to their strengths and their strong hitters immediately began peppering the ball to all fields. An 8 run first chased FDR and Kennedy struggled as well in the 2nd inning. With the game slipping away, the Chiefs turned back to Clinton and Washington who both pitched an inning on 1 days rest. Clinton also got the XPs on the board by sneaking a home run just over the left field fence. Unfortunately, by then, the damage was done. BBJO claimed their third championship in a row with a dominant 15-1 victory.

Overall, the tournament was a success for the X-Presidents. First time coach Lincoln (Righter) took the team to the championship and righted the ship after the previous two tournaments finished with disappointing results. Polk (Dullnig) and Clinton (Byrne) led the XP hitters. Polk delivered a .556 average recording 5 hits, 4 runs and 2 steals. Clinton hit .500 with 7 hits, including a home run, 5 runs, and 3 steals. Clinton, Madison (Lonstein), Lincoln, and Washington (Steffen) all pitched successfully with ERAs under 3. Madison led the way with a win, a save, and 10 Ks in 6 innings.

The X-Presidents will return to Attnang-Puchiem in 2025.