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

Announcement: John Hill for the Thrill!



This league needs a massage. What better than a slow, sensual reminder that we are out here to have a wild time playing a wacky game? So, after many ever-snowballing drafts of what John Hill For the Thrill could be, the fun-for-all system for this postseason extravaganza has finally been set. Admittedly, during the mid-to-latter drafts I even got lost in the points system and what you needed to pull an opposing pitcher, steal a base, "power up" your bat, and the gambling system involved in calling your shot. Fear not: the points system is entirely gone. Here are all the "rule changes" that will be in play during this tournament for the six teams not advancing to the semi-finals in August.

1) Performance Enhancing Bats

   This is one that everyone is going to be excited about: getting your hands on those big, thick bats. The bats that will be used are the official Wiffle yellow, aluminum WifflePro Black Magic, Louisville C271 (Griffey), Easton Pro Stix, Nerf Swerve, and Screwball. Early on the plan was to accrue points for things like hits, rbis, strike-outs, diving catches, etc. and "buy" the upgrades for your team. That is math. F*ck that. The way the bats will be used is as follows:

1st InningOriginal Yellow
2nd InningAluminum WifflePro Black Magic
3rd InningLouisville C271, Easton Pro Stix
4th InningNerf Swerve
5th InningScrewball * GTSOH handle variant shown; barrel is identical

   You may choose to use a bat from a previous inning if you find it more comfortable or have a romantic attachment to it. Similarly, if a game should go to extra innings all bats are available for the remainder of the game. There is a decent chance WSEM may use one of these bats (hint: the likely choice rhymes with gooey bill, like the money you get from a cashier whose hands were under the counter the whole time he took your order), so this is a chance for you to test drive the fuuuuuuuuuturrre.

2) To Walk or Not to Walk; That is the Question

   Walking is boring. Walking sucks, but when you are looking down a barrel you will take what you get. Well, you do not have to settle for a little bat flip and shuffle down to first in the John Hill for the Thrill! The count will remain 5-2, but when a pitcher throws ball number five in an at-bat you will have two options. 1) You may either take the walk and head to first. 2) You may soft toss the ball in the air (or have a teammate soft toss for you) and take one swing of the bat. When you hit the ball it will be live and in play as normal, but the batting practice soft toss will increase your chance of doing serious damage. There are a couple risks taken with the soft toss swing, though: A) Obviously, the defense can record the out, and B) additionally, a swing and miss or foul ball will be an out. It is a calculated risk/reward scenario. Besides, anything to swing the bat, right!?

3) Stealing is NOT a Crime

   That is right. Stealing will be in play. Do not worry about the lack of a catcher, that will not make it any easier for the runner. First, a team will have five steal attempts in a game. An additional attempt will be added for each extra inning, and will carry over if unused. Second, this is how a steal will happen. During a pitcher's delivery the runner must shout "STEAL!" and leave the base, or even charge forward hard for added effect if they desire. If the pitcher misses the strike zone the runner is safe. However, if the pitcher hits the zone the runner is out. If the batter fouls the ball off the runner must return to the base. No matter what the result, one steal attempt will have been used for every runner trying to advance on the play (i.e. double steal = two attempts). Just like with the Walk/Free-swing, there is calculated risk/reward at play in this scenario. No guts, no glory or grass stains, right!?

4) Let's Make This Interesting

   I mentioned in the OP that the gambling system got confusing, but that is just because you have to let the gamblers breathe! During For the Thrill you may are encouraged to place side bets on anything at all: a specific pitch, calling a shot, whether you can hit a ball with the bat between your legs, etc. What is at stake on these bets may also be whatever you want: runs, players on your team (for the game), bottles of Gatorade, loser bats wrong-handed rest of game, etc. Throwing these into the games will add another festive layer to the thrill of it, and will no doubt make it that much more interesting!


That is it for the gameplay changes. Pages for both The Thrill and Playoffs will be online later in the season, but here is how the John Hill for the Thrill Postseason Extravaganza will be set up:

  -  Regular season finish closer to tenth place will be treated as the high seed for each best-of-three series.

  -  During the first round of the Championship Playoffs, teams nine and ten will compete in a three-game series utilizing aggregate scoring: total runs from the three games wins the series.
     -  The team with more points gets first and third selections of teams knocked out of the Championship Playoffs to be placed on their side of the bracket.
     -  The team with less points gets the second and fourth selections.
     -  Teams nine and ten will have a first-round bye.

  -  The rest of the tournament will be best-of-three series.
     -  Common dates and sites will be set for all teams to play each of the opening round, second round, and the championship series.

Black Day: Forfeits Shake the Standings

In-game substitutions are not allowed outside of injury. This is the last bullet-point under #10 "For the Batter" on the rules page [http://wiffleinsemirules.blogspot.com/p/2012-rules.html], and was highlighted before the season in this news post from April 19th: http://wiffleinsoutheastmichigan.blogspot.com/2012/04/few-thoughts-rule-adjustments.html


"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."


Sunday, the DeLoppes substituted players the first three games against Friday and the second game against the Ducks, and further investigation revealed the DeLoppes also substituted players during all games against the Donkeys and Commandos in Week 3. These games were played illegally, and are forfeit. Game 4 versus Friday and game 1 against the Ducks stand as wins. The game results, standings, season series and franchise records have been updated to reflect these forfeits.

Please, read the rules page and learn it. We do not enjoy being put in the position to make "power" decisions like this, and take punitive action; we run this league for the enjoyment of keeping a backyard game alive. Forfeits are not fun, but they are preferable to having players not knowing what is going on in this league that is run for them. Everyone playing with WSEM is a league representative and offical. Knowing the game, the rules, what you are doing in this league will not only prevent your team from violating the rules, but will also allow you to stop other teams from breaking rules that might put your team at a disadvantage, or even wipe out your games.

Gameday: Mattseals / Ducks @ Belgian Wiffles

@
5/27 - The Wiffle Iron - Taylor, MI

Game
1
Mattseals-0
Belgian Wiffles-2
WP:  Phillips    LP:  Paquin    HR:  Castle (1)
Game
2
Mattseals-0
Belgian Wiffles-6
WP:  Skinner    LP:  Franzen


Photos from The Wiffle Iron:



@
5/27 - The Wiffle Iron - Taylor, MI

Game
1
Thunder Ducks-1
Belgian Wiffles-0
** 7 innings ** WP:  Pearson    LP:   Phillips    HR:  Pearson (2)
Game
2
Thunder Ducks-1
Belgian Wiffles-4
WP:  Castle    LP:  Lewis    HR:  Tomlinson (2), Phillips


Video of Game 1:


Photos from The Wiffle Iron:

Gameday: Commandos @ Belgian Wiffles

@
5/25 - The Wiffle Iron - Taylor, MI

Game
1
Commandos-1
Belgian Wiffles-6
WP:   Skinner    LP:   Wright    HR:   Tomlinson (1)
Game
2
Commandos-3
Belgian Wiffles-13
** 3 Inning Mercy ** WP:   Castle    LP:   Linebrink    HR:   Skinner (1), Roszell (1)


Video of Game 1:
Wright (CC) vs. Skinner (BW)



Photos from the Wiffle Iron, 5/25

Gameday: 5/20 - FS/JM @ MP, BW @ KF

@
5/20 - Knockout Park - Manchester, MI

Game
1
Flying Squirrels 17-1
Punchouts 47-0
WP:  Consanti    LP:  Bortmas
Game
2
Flying Squirrels 17-0
Punchouts 47-5
WP:  Hatt    LP:  Corbett


Game 1:  In the only two games these teams will play against each other this year, the Flying Squrriels traveled west to Manchester to play the Punchouts. Michael Constanti (5-0) faced Evan Bortmas (0-0) in the opening game. The only excitement happened in the first inning of this game. The Squirrels walked in a run to go up 1-0 in the top of the inning. In the bottom, Nick Coffee swatted (robbed) away a two-run homerun to keep the Squrriels on top. Constanti was in cruise control the rest of the game, and the Squirrels won 1-0.

Game 2:  In Game 2, Brandon Corbett (4-1) and Sam Hatt (0-1) faced off. The Punchouts bats came alive this game and they were able to score four runs in two innings against Corbett, who exited with pain in his knee. Sam Hatt was lights out in this game, pitching five innings, allowing only one hit, and had 13 strike outs. The Punchouts added a run against Nick Coffee, who came in to pitch the third. Carl Coffee's knuckleball caught the Punchouts off guard and shut them down in the fourth, but the Punchouts went on to win the game 5-0.


Video of Game 1:
Constanti vs. Bortmas



Photos from Knockout Park:



@
5/20 - Knockout Park - Manchester, MI

Game
1
Jason Mattseals-0
Punchouts 47-4
WP:  Bortmas    LP:  Paquin    HR: LaDouceur (1)
Game
2
Jason Mattseals-0
Punchouts 47-3
WP:  Hatt    LP:  Hewlett    HR:  Bortmas (1)


Video of Game #1:
Paquin  vs.  Bortmas



Photos from Knockout Park:



@
5/20 - The Wiffle Iron - Taylor, MI

Game
1
Belgian Wiffles- 5   0
King Friday- 0   3
WP:  Philips    LP:  Sizemore    HR:  Buhr, Skinner
Game
2
Belgian Wiffles- 9   0
King Friday- 2   3
WP:  Castle    LP:  Mushinski    HR:  Castle, Markos


Unfortunately, on Sunday Belgian batted seven players in their lineup for both games against King Friday. Our rules state: "Teams can be comprised of 3-6 players. Only 4 may play the field while on defense, but all 6 may bat." This rule has been on the books since 2005, and has not changed. As a result of batting an illegal lineup, Belgian forfeits the two games; King Friday is awarded 3-run victories in both. Since both teams showed up (in the spirit of the '24 games for a team to be playoffs eligible' rule), both Friday and Belgian will be credited with games played. Players will also be credited towards their 7 games to be playoff eligible, but their stats from the games will be cleared.

The worst part of running a league is having to make these decisions when a team does something improperly; however, the rules are laid out for you for your benefit, and that of the league as a whole: please, familiarize yourself with the rule book page so things like this do not happen in the future, as well as to best prepare yourself to play the game.

Game 1:  Belgian beat King Friday by a score of 5-0 in the first of the 2 game series led by a couple of solo shots from Buhr and Skinner. Philips with the no hitter; a couple walks saved KF from a 3rd perfect game against them on the year.

Game 2:  Belgian beats King Friday 9-2. Castle with a HR for Wiffles, Markos solo shot for KF. Mushinski Pulled shoulder from socket diving for a ball, cont to pitch last 2 innings. Hurd k's on slowest pitch ever thrown in WSEM.


Photos from The Wiffle Iron:


Gameday: 5/12 - DK/CC @ FS, DK/CC @ WD, WA @ MP

@
5/12 - The New Drey - Romulus, MI
Conclusion of the season series; Squirrels lead 2-0


Game
1
Commandos-0
Flying Squirrels 31-11
** 3 inning mercy ** WP:  Constanti    LP:  Linebrink
Game
2
Commandos-0
Flying Squirrels 31-4
WP:  Corbett    LP:  Linebrink    HR:  Corbett


Four games were played at The New Drey this afternoon in the 2012 version of Opening Drey! The 0-6 Commandos were first to play the 5-1 (#31) Flying Squirrels. Alex Linebrink faced off against Michael Constanti in Game 1, and this game was all Squirrels. Linebrink was unable to record an out, allowing the first seven batters he faced to score. Constanti was perfect, nine up and nine down, and the Squirrels won 11-0 in three innings.

Game 2 saw Alex Linebrink once again pitch, having thrown no innings officially in Game 1, this time against Brandon Corbett. It was a total team effort from the Squirrels, including help from their good friend, the Detroit Tigers ball bag. Corbett was impressive, both pitching and hitting. He had 3 RBI's, one of which was a 126 foot solo home run. The Commandos played much better, but in the end the Squirrels won 4-0.



@
5/12 - The New Drey - Romulus, MI


Game
1
Donkeys-0
Flying Squirrels 31-1
WP:  Constanti    LP:  Shaw
Game
2
Donkeys-3
Flying Squirrels 31-5
WP:  Corbett    LP:  Seto    HR:  Shore (1,2)


The Donkeys were next to face the Squirrels in the only two games these teams would play this season. In their first game, Don Shaw went up against Michael Constanti. It was an old fashion pitcher's duel, and the Squirrels won 1-0. The Squirrels played small ball to score their run on a Sac Fly from Corbett to score Ryan Alexia.

In the final game of the day, Corbett and Joe Seto faced off. Alex Shore, who has a history of destroying Corbett's pitching, did not disappoint. He had two solo home runs to put the Donkeys up 2-0. In the bottom of the 4th with two outs, the Squirrels had seven straight hits to go up 5-2. The Donkeys added another run in the 5th, but the Squrrels won 5-3.

It was an impressive day for the Flying Squirrels, going 4-0, but the real hero was the Detroit Tigers ball bag. He (She?) had three assists on the day for the Squirrels. Great work, Baggy!


Video of Game 2 - Seto (DK) vs. Corbett (FS):


Photos from Donkeys @ Squirrels:



@
5/12 - Frenchtown Field - Monroe, MI

Game
1
Commandos- 1  3
Wiffling DeLoppes 23- 11  0
WP:  C. Hoppe    LP:  Egan    HR:  DeLano
Game
2
Commandos- 0  3
Wiffling DeLoppes 23- 5  0
WP:  Comstock    LP:  Linebrink    HR:  BJ Hoppe



@
5/12 - Frenchtown Field - Monroe, MI

Game
1
Donkeys- 0  3
Wiffling DeLoppes 23- 9  0
WP:  C. Hoppe    LP:  Murtha    HR:  DeLano
Game
2
Donkeys- 2  3
Wiffling DeLoppes 23- 3  0
** 6 innings **WP:  Comstock    LP:  Shore


Game 1:  Deloppes over powered the Donkeys from the start to finish. Donkey's subpar defense and Deloppes aggressive base running resulted in a blow out.

Game 2:  A great pitching match-up in twilight on Saturday. Donkey's had the bats going early and took a 2-0 lead. The Deloppes came right back scored 2 of their own in the bottom on the first. Then it was scoreless until the 6th inning when the Donkey's outfielder (Seto) misjudged a fly ball which scored Chad from 2nd base.


@
5/12 - Knockout Park - Manchester, MI
** Marquee Match-up **

Game
1
Wicked Aces 12-1
Punchouts-0
WP:  A. Bischoff    LP:  Hatt
Game
2
Wicked Aces 12-2
Punchouts-3
** 10 innings ** WP:  Zigila    LP:  Pant    HR:  Hatt


Game 1:  Austin Bischoff pitched the Aces to another win in Manchester's opener at Knockout Park. As the sun went down over Manchester, a light rain moved in, making conditions tough for both pitchers. Austin escaped a bases-loaded jam on his way to the win. Sam Hatt walked in the winning run in the fourth inning despite pitching five innings of great wiffleball.

Game 2:  Although the game started rough for Evan Bortmas, who allowed two runs on walks without recording an out in the first, Manchester was saved by 11 innings of shutout ball by Logan Zigila, who pitched through light rain and relative darkness to earn the win. Manchester got to Joel Crozier in the 3rd and 4th innings to tie the game, and finally scored a run in the bottom of the 11th on Sam Hatt's deep shot off Travis Pant, who relieved Crozier in the 10th.

New Podcast; Week 2 Game Videos



Carl Coffee and Brandon Corbett coming at you on-site from The Swamp. No large crowd noise, but a hint of big game action between King Friday and the Thunder Ducks every now and then.
  • Surprises in the early season? Things not surprising at all?
  • Blowouts, barnburners, and perfection litter the first two weeks
  • Resetting the expectations having seen teams play.
  • Things more impressive than the Wicked Aces perfect games <3
  • Over/unders of the ridiculous nature: extrapolating Week 1 stats over a full season
  • Dennis Pearson and NWLA Tournament roster.
  • Early guesses at Mr. Munson's Great Athletes of Week 2
  • Looking at the next couple weeks schedule
  • King Friday crosses the plate; the guys call one at bat
  • Other things that could cause the Swamp to flood <3


Intro music: Johnny Headband "And Then Again" http://johnnyheadband.bandcamp.com

Video of Squirrels vs. Ducks Game 2:
Constanti vs. Lewis


Video of DeLoppes vs. Mattseals Game 2:
Comstock vs. Hewlett

Gameday: 5/6 - WA @ CC/JM, WD @ JM, FS @ TD/KF, KF @ TD

@
5/6 - Lafayette Park - Detroit, MI

Game
1
Whiteford 12-7
Commandos-0
WP:  A. Bischoff    LP:  Grant    HR:  Crozier (1), Lee (1)
Game
2
Whiteford 12-10
Commandos-2
WP:  Crozier    LP:  Egan    HR:  Pfefferle (2), Crozier (2), A. Bischoff (4)



@
5/6 - Second Swamp - Trenton, MI

Game
1
Flying Squirrels 31-0
Thunder Ducks 6-2
WP:  Pearson    LP:  Corbett    HR:  D. Braden (1)
Game
2
Flying Squirrels 31-4
Thunder Ducks 6-0
WP:  Constanti    LP:  Lewis    HR:  Flores (1)


Game 1: Brandon Corbett (1-0), faced off against reigning Clown Shu Champion Dennis Pearson, who was making his season debut along with the rest of his team. The Ducks did something they are not used to doing to earn their first run, small ball. Pearson drove home the winning run with an RBI Ground Out in the 3rd. Dylan Braden tacked on an insurance run with a solo HR in the 4th, and the Ducks won the game 2-0. Pearson was his typical self, racking up 15 K's while giving up 4 walks.

Game 2: Michael Constanti (1-0), who was looking to rebound after a sub-par performance against the Commandos last week, went up against the Thunder Ducks newly aquired #2 starter, Chris Lewis. It was an old fashion pitchers' duel until rookie Carlos Flores unloaded with a 4th inning Grand Slam. It ended up being the only runs of the game, and the Squirrels won 4-0. Constanti was impressive all game, and besides the 4th inning blunder by Lewis, he also looked very good.

Video of Game 2
Constanti vs. Lewis


Photos from Week 2



@
5/6 - The Club at Civic Center Park - Woodhaven, MI

Game
1
Wiffling DeLoppes 23-4
Jason Mattseals-0
WP:  C. Hoppe    LP:  Cosby
Game
2
Wiffling DeLoppes 23-3
Jason Mattseals-2
WP:  Comstock    LP:  Hewlett


The Seals played with a lot of effort and heart today in their two series with the Deloppes and Wicked Aces. The first game was all Deloppes with a final score of 4-0. Adam Cosby pitched a great game but the Deloppes got some timely hits when it counted. In the second game, the Seals and Deloppes traded runs back and forth and went 6 innings to decide the game. The Deloppes came through with a 3-2 victory. Jason Hewlett battled heat cramps and still pitched 6 solid innings.   - Greg Franzen


Video of Game 2:
Comstock vs. Hewlett



@
5/6 - Second Swamp - Trenton, MI

Game
1
Flying Squirrels 31-9
King Friday-0
WP:  Corbett    LP:  Birotte    HR:   Corbett (2,3)  Flores (2,3)  Constanti (1)
Game
2
Flying Squirrels 31-3
King Friday-0
WP:  Constanti    LP:  Mushinski    S: C. Coffee


Game 1: The 3-1 Flying Squirrels, fresh off a split against the defending champions, opened up a 2 game series against the all-rookie team, King Friday. Corbett (1-1), was hungry for a win after a hard fought loss earlier in the day against the Ducks. Corbett usually doesn't get the best run support, but in this game, he got plenty. Thanks to five Squirrel home runs, (2 Corbett, 2 Flores, Constanti) and wonderful pitching, the Squirrels won easily 9-0. Tristan Birotte went five strong for King Friday and took the loss.

Game 2: Captain Carl Coffee wanted to set his rotation for next week, so in Game 2 he used four different pitchers. Constanti pitched the first two innings, followed by one each from Flores, Nick Coffee, and Carl Coffee. All four pitchers pitched shut out innings. Offensively, the Squirrels bats cooled off this game, but they still managed to score three runs to win 3-0. Brandon Mushinski showed great improvement throughout the game, and took the complete game loss. Constanti earned the win for the Squirrels to go 3-0 on the young season.


Photos from Week 2



@
5/6 - The Club at Civic Center Park - Woodhaven, MI

Game
1
Whiteford 12-1
Jason Mattseals-0
** 7 inning Perfect Game ** WP: A. Bischoff     LP: Paquin
Game
2
Whiteford 12-1
Jason Mattseals-0
** 7 innings ** WP:  Crozier    LP:  Myers


Austin Bischoff pitched an unbelievable first game. The Wicked Aces now have 3 perfect games on the season as Austin pitched his first perfect game of the season in a 1-0 7 inning Aces victory in the first game. Chris Paquin took the mound in this game and was solid the entire game, but it still wasn't enough against Austin's pitching today. The second game was also hard fought and went 7 innings as well. The Seals had a few chances to push some runs across the plate but were unsuccessful. In the end, the Wicked Aces pulled out another 1-0 victory. The Seals pitched Hewlett for 2 innings and then tried out a new pitcher in Mike Myers. Mike pitched incredibly well for his first time on the mound against the Wicked Aces. He held the game close all the way to 7 innings. The top play of the day goes to Greg Franzen for his home run saving catch and falling over the outfield fence and still hanging onto the ball for the out. The fielding was great by the entire Seal team. Jason Matt swung the bat well today and had a couple nice hits and some walks. He's improving a little bit each week. Our current record doesn't show just how well our team has played up to this point. In 4 of our first 6 games, we have gone to extra innings with teams. Two of the teams we have played are currently nationally ranked in the top 25. The beginning of the season schedule for the Seals has been tough, but they are ready to turn the corner anytime. Great job by all teams today and thank you to the fans who made it out to watch the games today.   - Greg Franzen


Wicked Aces @ Mattseals Video Recap:



@
5/6 - Second Swamp - Trenton, MI

Game
1
King Friday-1
Thunder Ducks 6-16
** 2 inning mercy ** WP:  Pearson    LP:  Joe    HR:  D. Braden (2,3), N. Braden (1)
Game
2
King Friday-3
Thunder Ducks 6-5
** 6 innings **WP:  Pearson    LP:  Mushinski    HR:  Nagorski (1), Joe (1)


Here's a "highlight" play at the wall on a deep fly ball:



Photos from Week 2