- With the season right around the bend, there are a few things we need to float out there.
First, a few thoughts to keep in mind throughout the season:
60% of Wiffleball is the jokes and shenanigans while hanging out with the guys; 70% of those in turn somehow relate to genitalia.
30% of Wiffleball is the embellished folklore and over-the-top media put online. When we were kids we emulated the big-time in our backyards; now, we just have the ability to take that even further!
10% of Wiffleball is what happens on the field itself: how fun it is to hit a curveball, strike someone out, make an amazing defensive play, compete and get out of a jam or complete a comeback victory. Then do a little dance.
- Second, some clarifications and additions to league rules:
- On legal bats. This was not included in last year's rules, though it should have been as it enhances the performance of the bat. For reference, the bat in the banner on The Skinny is illegal. The rewritten part of the rule is in ALL CAPS:
| 4. Each team will use official Wiffleball balls and the official trademark yellow Wiffleball bat. Bats will often be on-hand, but if you have your own that you wish to use, you may. Taping the handles of the bat is allowed, as is painting of the barrel: THE HOLE ON THE BOTTOM MUST BE LEFT OPEN. No other modifications are acceptable. Any and all bats are subject to being checked for corking and legality before use. |
- There have been teams who have suggested that they may choose not to travel, especially if they feel a playoff birth is locked up. This is something that goes against why we run this league for you. WSEM exists to play Wiffleball, to experience the game in different venues and with different people. Make the trip, play your games, play a few pick-up games, hang out with the other guys and make a day of the trip. Remember also that the reason you have six to eight players on your roster is so that you can find a day and time that four are available to play.
| 14. A team must play 24 games to be eligible for the playoffs. Occasionally forfeits are unavoidable, thus, forfeiture of up to two series is acceptable. Any more than that shows a lack of commitment to your league and the game as a whole; therefore, you forfeit your right to represent the league as a champion of the game. |
- We have added some clarification as to how the base-running/time out rule should be used in making the call.
| Defenders may call time out while possessing the ball in the infield to stop runners. · If a runner is approaching, on, or has just rounded (less than 3 steps), they will hold at that base. · If a runner is a few steps from the base, they may continue on to the next base. · This buffer is to be clear whether the runner's foot was on the base or not. · If the question is about 3 steps, then there is clearly no question the runner was off the base; the runner will be allowed to advance. |
- A 6 man roster means six men. Substitutions are not allowed unless an injury occurs or a team starts a game with three men. This is the last bullet point under "For the Batter":
| · No changes to the batting lineup may be made during a game unless a team begins the game with 3 players and their fourth arrives mid-game, or an injury forces a player to leave the game. |
- You all know about the matching shirts with numbers rule, but just reinforcing it in your mind.
| 3. All team members are expected to wear matching color jerseys with player numbers on them for WSEM games as a courtesy to video and photographers. |
