7/8 7/12 7/13 7/13 7/13 7/13 7/13 7/27 7/27 7/27 7/27 7/27 8/2 8/3 8/3 8/9 8/9 8/16 8/23
FS 3|3 FS 0|0 HB 0|2 BW 0|4 EL 1|1 ON 0|0 IS 0|13 EL 1|1 IS 0|0 WW 0|0 ON 3|0 KF 6|3 KF 0|1|0 FS 0 BW 1|2 EL 1|2 R★ 2 BW 0 The
WW 0|0 WA 1|1 KF 1|3 KF 1|10 HB 0|0 WA 3|3 WO 11|8 WA 0|2 WA 3|3 ON 3|3 WW 1|1 WO 0|0 EL 4|0|1 BW 2 WA 0|1 BW 0|0 G★ 0 EL 2 Thrill

Semi-Finals: DeLoppes and Squirrels go the Distance



Game 1:
Flying Squirrels  - 0
Wiffling DeLoppes - 1
WP: Chad Hoppe
LP: Austin Bischoff

Game 2:
Flying Squirrels  - 0
Wiffling DeLoppes - 3
WP: Cliff Comstock
LP: Mike Merlo

Game 3:
Wiffling DeLoppes - 0
Flying Squirrels  - 2
WP: Austin Bischoff
LP: Chad Hoppe

Game 4:
** 12 innings **
Wiffling DeLoppes - 0
Flying Squirrels  - 1
WP: Austin Bischoff
LP: Cliff Comstock

Game 5:
Flying Squirrels  - 2
Wiffling DeLoppes - 6
WP: Chad Hoppe
LP: Mike Merlo


Photos from the tightly contested DeLoppes and Squirrels five game series

The DeLoppes took the 5-game series with the Squirrels 3-2, and it took every bit of six and a half games to get the job done! The games were close and competitive all day long. Pitchers mostly kept play in the yard, and winning often came down to capitalizing on opponents' miscues. The DeLoppes won Game 1 when Joey DeLano scored from first on a hit to center field that was overrun. Game 4, the 12 inning double feature (and then some), was won by Austin Bischoff crossing the plate for the Squirrels on a ground ball after getting to third with no outs on two uncharacteristic DeLoppe misplays.

Games 2 and 3 saw the offenses shine a bit more with 5 runs scored between the two teams. The DeLoppes 3 run victory in Game 2 came on sharp hits that found holes down the line and to the gaps. Mike Merlo provided the fire power for the Squirrels in Game 3, blasting the first home run of the day over the left field fence. Game 5 was much more tightly contested than the 6-2 score suggests; really the series in microcosm. The Squirrels led off the scoring in the first with Austin Bischoff scoring on a Brandon Corbett sacrifice fly. The DeLoppes came right back in the bottom half, though, with Joey DeLano scoring from second on a Bobby Hoppe two-out single that squeaked into left-field. BJ Hoppe followed immediately with a towering fly over the tall fence in left for a 2-run home run. The Squirrels narrowed the lead to one run, but BJ's home run proved to be enough to push the DeLoppes through to the WSEM Championship Series as they doubled their runs for some insurance in the fourth.

Half the guys may be in trouble for being late to work or missing other obligations, but this was an amazing series: a competitive series, a fun series. Pins and needles and penis jokes. Great play and great attitudes all around. It came down to the better offense stepping up to win the day. Oh yeah, and this happened:

1st Round Results



(3) Westside Warriors 47 --- vs. --- (6) Ass Kickers
Thurs. July 21st | 6 PM | Westside Reservation | Farmington, MI

Ass Kickers sweep, upset Warriors 2-0!

Last night, in the match-up widely expected to be the most closely contested of the 1st round, the Ass Kickers returned to their 2010 tournament form, overcame the Westside-friendly confines, pulled off the sweep in 2 close games, and upset the Warriors in the first ever WSEM playoff series. This is the Ass Kickers team many expected to see all season, so the surprise was somewhat muted to, "yeah, we knew they could do it."

Nevertheless, the upset is a big deal moving forward, as it will shake up the reseeding of the second round match-ups!

Batting Stats | Pitching Stats

Game 1:
Ass Kickers       - 1
Westside Warriors - 0
WP: Mike Constanti
LP: Maclin Malloy

Game 2:
Westside Warriors - 1
Ass Kickers       - 3
WP: Mike Constanti
LP: Maclin Malloy


(2) Wiffling DeLoppes 15 -- vs. -- (7)Campus Commandos
Sun. 7/23 | 3 PM | Frenchtown Field | Frenchtown, MI

DeLoppes sweep Commandos

The DeLoppes took care of business as expected. They're offense was as explosive as ever in the first game; mercying the Commandos, who were unable to put anything together against Chad Hoppe's pitching, in 4 innings. BJ Hoppe had the first big hit of the game, a 3-run HR in the second inning, with Joey "Delicious" DeLano eclipsing his feat by ripping a bases loaded triple that he ended up scoring on, as well, after an overthrow.

Getting last at bats in the second game seemed to help the Commandos confidence and performance. Drastically different from the first game, the Commandos unveiled a bear in their lineup and took the game into the fifth inning tied at 3. The DeLoppes led off the scoring with 2 runs in the top of the first and tacked on the third in the second. The Commandos scored all 3 of their runs in the bottom of the second with the RBIs coming on a pair of doubles by Eric Pfefferle and Joe Spagnuolo. The DeLoppes clicked in the fifth inning, though, icing the game on 4 hits including 3 doubles. The big hits again came from BJ and DeLano, along with Nick Snow.

Batting Stats | Pitching Stats

Game 1:
Campus Commandos  - 0
Wiffling DeLoppes - 10
WP: Chad Hoppe
LP: Joe Seto

Game 2:
Wiffling DeLoppes - 5
Campus Commandos  - 3
WP: Cliff Comstock
LP: Joe Seto


Photos from the WD v CC 1st round action



(4) Flying Squirrels -- vs. -- (5) Belgian Wiffles
Sat. 7/24 | 1 PM | The Drey | Romulus, MI

Squirrels take care of business, sweep Belgian

Call the janitor; we have our third sweep in as many playoff series. The one-two punch of Austin Bischoff and Mike Merlo, the Squirrels rotation, kept Belgian off the scoreboard and largely off the bases, as well. The duo racked up 26 Ks over ten innings, while giving up only one walk and four hits. Every out recorded in Austin's one-hitter was a strike out. Chris Lewis, who supplied that one hit (2 2B, 2 1B on the day), commented, "when I took the mound I knew I had to throw a shut out... just one run could be too much to get back." Offensively, traveling teammate Alex Shore seems to have rubbed off on the Squirrels who are now taking extra bases and running the bases more aggressively. The team hit 3 doubles (Corbett: 2, Bischoff: 1) and a triple (Merlo). The Squirrels also scored all their runs from second base except for one, which was scored from first (RBI, Murtha: 3, Merlo: 1, Corbett: 1).

Batting Stats | Pitching Stats

Game 1:
Belgian Wiffles  - 0
Flying Squirrels - 1
WP: Austin Bischoff
LP: Chris Lewis

Game 2:
Flying Squirrels - 4
Belgian Wiffles  - 0
WP: Mike Merlo
LP: Chris Lewis


On-field photos from the Squirrels 2-game sweep of Belgian



(1) Git r' Done 7 -- vs. -- (8)Jason Mattseals
Sun. 7/24 | 6 PM | Frenchtown Field | Frenchtown, MI


Git r' Done weather surprising challenge, survive for the sweep

The Jason Mattseals gave Git r' Done all they could handle today at Frenchtown Field. Despite this series completing a full slate of sweeps for the first round it was the most closely contested of all the first round series, and was much closer than the 2-0 result shows. In game 1 the Mattseals took a 4-0 lead into the fifth inning, and looked poised to send a shocking statement throughout the league. However, Git r' Done capitalized on 3 runs walked in and an RBI single to tie the game before ultimately winning by a score of 5-4 in 6 innings. Game 2 didn't let up. Git r' Done posted a 2-1 victory and escaped unscathed, although tested much more than expected in their 1 vs 8 matchup. Post game the Git r' Done guys praised the effort of the Mattseals in the surprisingly exciting close to the first round. No time for a breather, though, as the fireworks of the semifinals are upon us. Git r' Done will face the Ass Kickers, hot off their wins over the Warriors, in a best of 5 series that is expected to begin one week from today. Lots of power will be on the field in those games, which should carry on the momentum of excitement from today's series!
Game 1:
** 6 innings **
Jason Mattseals - 4
Git r' Done     - 5
WP: Nick Braden
LP: Jason Matt

Game 2:
Git r' Done     - 2
Jason Mattseals - 1
WP: Nick Braden
LP: Jason Matt

WSEM Podcast: Playoff Edition!


The Round Table of Squares
Carl Coffee, Chad Hoppe, Mike Constanti, and Alex Shore

Listen here:
http://wiffleinsemi.podbean.com/2011/07/21/wsem-podcast-playoff-edition/


The killer quote:
"I can strike them out after giving myself the stranger!"

What the lower seeds need to pull an upset:
  • (8) Mattseals over (1) Git r' Done: a miracle? Groundings?
  • (7) Commandos over (2) DeLoppes: Joe Seto superman. Murder?
  • (6) Ass Kickers over (3) Warriors: "The closest matchup." Mike take control? Wild Warrior? Should it be the other way around? Will they pitch around?
  • (5) Belgian over (4) Squirrels: Swing. Bat with less than two outs. Poison nuts.
The Panel's picks:
  • All WSEM Teams
  • MV(non-pitching)P - said in unison
  • Cy Young
  • Captain of the year
Favorite Moments of the Season
  • Chad: Preseason shit-talking threads, living 3 hour and perfect games vicariously
  • Alex: Benny Hill Mattseals, talking trash and threats. Not trees.
  • Carl: Biegas hit streak, opening night in Detroit, acquisitions
  • Mike: Building and opening Constanti Field, clutch pitching performance
Spontaneous Myth or Fact Redux

Playoff Schedule Thurs 7/21, 6pm: (6) Ass Kickers @ (3) Warriors
Sat 7/23, 3pm: (7) Commandos @ (2) DeLoppes
Sun 7/24, 1pm: (5) Belgian @ (4) Squirrels
Sun 7/24, 6pm: (8) Mattseals @ (1) Git r' Done

_________________________________________________

Editing: Cliff Comstock and Brandon Corbett
Hospitality: Cliff Comstock

Music: Zoos of Berlin "Electrical Way" - http://zoosofberlin.bandcamp.com
Dark Wave "S.U.T.F.S." - http://darkwave.bandcamp.com

2011 WSEM Playoff Bracket Unveiling




1st Round Matchups

(1) Git r' Done 8 vs. (8) Jason Mattseals
Sun. 7/24 | 6 PM | Frenchtown Field | Frenchtown, MI
Season Series: Git r' Done wins 4-0
(2) Wiffling DeLoppes 14 vs. (7) Campus Commandos
Sat. July 23rd | 3 PM | Frenchtown Field | Frenchtown, MI
Season Series: DeLoppes win 4-0
(3) Westside Warriors 49 vs. (6) Ass Kickers
Thurs. July 21st | 6 PM | Westside Reservation | Farmington, MI
Season Series: Tied 2-2
(4) Flying Squirrels vs. (5) Belgian Wiffles
Sun. July 24th | 1 PM | The Drey | Romulus, MI
Season Series: Squirrels win 3-1

Stay up to date with the build up and progress over on the Schedule page.


196 games into 2011 and we are just getting started! The 2011 WSEM Playoffs begin this Thursday! Now is when we see what teams are really made of and which have the luck on their side. Your best of three first round series may be played from Thursday through Sunday at the home field, or field of choice, of the higher seed: high seed will be home for games 1 and 3 (if necessary), low seed for game 2. So, get in touch ASAP with your opposing captain and set up the date and time that works best for your teams. Work with each other and help out when you can. The league is best when as many players as possible are involved, so let's try to make that happen. ** Remember that to be eligible to play in the playoffs a player needs a minimum of 5 games played. **

Teams advancing to the second round best of five series can begin playing their games Monday July 25th, and have until Tuesday August 2nd to complete the series. Different from the first round the best of five series will use both home fields (if applicable), and the games can be spread out across the entire time frame. In addition to setting dates and times, teams need to decide what format for the five games works best based on availability and travel. There are two formats you can choose from: 1) the common 2-2-1, where the high seed is home in games 1,2, and 5, or 2) the never used elsewhere, but here for teams that cannot play more than two days in the allotted time 2-3: low seed gets first two home games, then the series is finished at the high seed on the second day. A 3-2 series is not permitted, as it presents the possibility of not giving the low seed a home game at their field. If the low seed does not have a home field or preferred field, then the games can be played entirely at the high seed's field with the 2-2-1 format applied.

The best of seven WSEM Championship Series, which can begin Friday August 5th and run through Sunday August 14th, will be handled in the same way: teams choose the best format for their availability and travel, then set dates and times that work for both teams. While the 2-2-1-1-1 format may still be impractical, with two weekends and a full slate of weekdays (12 days total) it should be possible to utilize a 2-2-2-1 or 2-3-2. While it should be avoided if possible, a 3-4 is an option in the case teams availability mandates it. Again a 4-3 is not permitted due to denying the low seed a guaranteed home game at their field. You can play around with the numbers anyway you like, so long as the low seed is guaranteed home games at their field. And once again, if the low seed does not have a home field or preferred field, then the games can be played entirely at the high seed's field following the 2-2-1-1-1 format.

So, this is where it heats up, "the second season," the big payoff of our inaugural season, where we crown the first ever WSEM champion! Congratulations to Git r' Done on winning the pennant, but you know everyone is gunning to keep you from winning both titles. Especially those guys you lease your home field from! Let's have some exciting first round series to kick this off right! Westside vs. Ass Kickers jumps out as being the toughest to call, and therefore the most anticipated, but when a team just needs to play at the top of their game for ten innings anything is possible. It's not an upset if you can see it coming: I think we are primed for one stunning moment this weekend!

Ass Kickers Swept, Git r' Done and DeLoppes Split


@
Frenchtown Field


Game 1:
Wiffling DeLoppes - 12
Ass Kickers       -  0
WP: Chad Hoppe
LP: Brian Constanti

Game 4:
Wiffling DeLoppes - 5
Ass Kickers       - 1
WP: Cliff Comstock
LP: ?



@
Frenchtown Field


Game 2:
Git r' Done - 8
Ass Kickers - 0
WP: Dennis Pearson
LP: ?

Game 3:
** 6 innings **
Git r' Done - 4
Ass Kickers - 1
WP: Dylan Braden
LP: Brian Constanti


@
Frenchtown Field


Game 1:
Wiffling DeLoppes - 0
Git r' Done       - 1
WP: Dennis Pearson
LP: Chad Hoppe

Game 4:
Wiffling DeLoppes - 2
Git r' Done       - 0
WP: Cliff Comstock
LP: Dennis Pearson

It was a tough outing for the Ass Kickers who have been ramping up play lately as the playoffs approach. In post game interviews Mike Constanti didn't blame the losses on fatigue, but did mention that 8 wiffleball games and multiple nights of softball didn't help the Ass Kickers' performance Sunday. These results see them as the 6 seed in the playoffs later this week. Good news out of the AK clubhouse, though, is that Brian Constanti's dominance toeing the rubber seems to be returning at just the right time to make a run through the bracket.

The split of the two tightly contested pitchers' duels in the Git r' Done vs. DeLoppes series locks up the first ever WSEM pennant going to Git r' Done. With the decisive Git r' Done victory coming in game 1 it was not as climactic as it could have been, but still a good finish to the season with the DeLoppes rallying to win game 2 and even the season series. Smart money is that these two teams aren't done with each other yet, though, and they could likely see each other again in the best of seven championship series.

One bit of maintenance: The Warriors and Git r' Done never scheduled their final two games. Due to our "set your own schedule" format we have a different way of handling forfeits in this situation than most sports leagues. Because we want the focus to be on the fun of playing wiffleball our rule is one that benefits teams that reach out, communicate, and try to play their games: if Team A does those things and Team B does not reciprocate the effort or is uncooperative with the process, then Team A receives wins for all games involved. If both teams communicate and work together but are unable to set the games, then the series of games involved is a split. The whole point is that teams should want to get out there and play and the whole league should try to help each other make that happen. If you put the effort in, you are guaranteed at least a .500 record for your effort. Alex had listed times on the calender for about a month, and asked Git r' Done to choose one that worked for them. Then, in just the past week, Dennis finally asked Alex if Friday 7/15 worked for Westside; it did not. Still both teams attempted, therefore they both go 1-1 for their two game series.

The playoff bracket will be put up tonight. Most of you probably already know, but we will make a bit of a show of it and have a little bit of fun with the first bracket festivities. Playoff games will be allowed to take place Thursday through Sunday, and all 1st round games will be played back-to-back at the high seed's choice of field. Also, end of the season awards look to be named later this week. Good luck to everyone this week! Try to win without being a dick, and try to have fun while lighting it up!

Ass Kickers Dominate Commandos, Sweep 2 Game Series

@
6 PM | Lafayette Park | Detroit, MI


Game 1:
Ass Kickers      - 9
Campus Commandos - 0
WP: Michael Constanti
LP: Alex Linebrink

Game 2:
Ass Kickers      - 8
Campus Commandos - 0
WP: Michael Constanti
LP: Alex Linebrink

Michael Constanti threw two gems downtown on Friday at Lafayette Park to even the Ass Kickers season series with the Commandos. His arm shut down the Commandos and didn't need the bounty of run support supplied by his offense. Although, I am sure, like any other pitcher, Mike was more than thrilled to receive it. In Game 2 he threw a 1 hitter and while that is a highlight on most nights for a pitcher, Game 1 was a no hitter with only one walk surrendered on a pitch that missed the strike zone by a hair. One hit given up over two games is a great way to lead-in to this Sunday's tri-meet with the top two teams in the league, Git r' Done and the DeLoppes, for Mike and the Ass Kickers.

Warriors Clinch 3 Seed with Wins over Squirrels

@
7/13 | The Westside Reservation


Game 1:
Westside Warriors - 4
Flying Squirrels  - 1
WP: Maclin Malloy
LP: Matt Murtha

Game 2:
Flying Squirrels  - 2
Westside Warriors - 4
WP: Maclin Malloy
LP: Matt Murtha


FS @ WW photos courtesy of Joe Seto

The Westside Warriors clinched the three seed tonight with their two wins in three on three games over the Flying Squirrels. Maclin Malloy had a strong performance on the mound, limiting Corbett and Coffee to one hit between them. While Matt Murtha was able to put together a nice hitting performance against him Malloy kept his walks down, and never really lost control of the game. Alex Shore gets player of the game(s) for an impressive hitting performance, including three home runs onto the friendly right field porch. The second game got interesting as the Squirrels had a 1-0 lead, lost it, then came back to tie it up, before Alex Shore hit a two run blast that ultimately put the game away.

The Warriors may still be a little loose and rough around the edges at times, but their talent has definitely come alive and is poised to show up at the right time heading into the playoffs. The three seed is not a bad spot to sit in, as an upset of the one or two seed will see them again holding home field in the second round. Even with the losses tonight the Squirrels 14-14 record punches their ticket as the four seed next week.

Podcast #6


Chad Hoppe, Carl Coffee, Brandon Corbett, Nick Snow
from inside the clubhouse office at Frenchtown Field.


http://wiffleinsemi.podbean.com/2011/07/12/wsem-podcast-6/


  • Stand-out performances and players over the past 3 weeks
  • Playoff home field advantage races
    • 1st/2nd - Git r' Done (19-3), DeLoppes (19-5)
    • 3rd/4th - Westside (13-11), Squirrels (14-12), Ass Kickers (8-14), Belgian (13-15)
  • 7 seconds of small talk
  • End of the season: thoughts looking back, and to next season
    • What's worked well?
    • Considered changes?
  • Clarification: Fielders call safe/out at bases; offense calls fair/foul
  • Chad and Brandon have a heated high noon discussion



Engineering, editing: Cliff Comstock
Music credit: Cliff Comstock and BJ Hoppe

Shotgun Games on a Monday Night: AK @ WW

@
7/11 | The Westside Reservation


Game 1:
Ass Kickers       - 2
Westside Warriors - 3
WP: Maclin Malloy
LP: Mike Constanti
** Alex Shore: 2 run walk off home run **

Game 2:
Ass Kickers       - 2
Westside Warriors - 1
WP: Mike Constanti
LP: Maclin Malloy

SundayTri-meet Results: CC vs. GD vs. JM

@


Game 1:
Campus Commandos - 1
Git r' Done      - 3
WP: Dennis Pearson
LP: Joe Seto

Game 2:
** 6 innings **
Campus Commandos - 5
Git r' Done      - 7
WP: Nick Braden
LP: Joe Seto


@


Game 3:
Campus Commandos - 6
Jason Mattseals  - 0
WP: Alex Linebrink
LP: Jason Matt

Game 4:
Campus Commandos - 9
Jason Mattseals  - 0
WP: Alex Linebrink
LP: Jason Matt


@


Game 5:
Git r' Done     - 4
Jason Mattseals - 0
WP: Nick Braden
LP: Danny Johnson

Game 6:
Git r' Done     - 4
Jason Mattseals - 0
WP: Dennis Pearson
LP: Jason Matt
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