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

Gameday: 6/24 - King Friday vs. Campus Commandos

@
6/24 - LaFayette Park - Detroit, MI
Chalkboard Match-up

Game
1		 King Friday-0
Commandos-6
WP:  Mitchell    LP:  Mushinski
Game
2		 King Friday-0
Commandos-2
WP:  Linebrink   LP:  Birotte


Photos from Lafayette Park:


@
6/24 - LaFayette Park - Detroit, MI

Game
1		 Commandos-12
King Friday-5
WP:  Mott   LP:  Mushinski
Game
2		 Commandos-0
King Friday-1
WP:  Birotte    LP:  Mott


Game 1: King Friday bats come alive for the first time of the season. Hurd, Mushinski and Bugeja all hit first career home runs but it was not enough as the same problems they have had all season keep plaguing them as King Fridays lose 11-5.

Game 2: The bats cooled off in the final game of the day as fatigue set in. Birotte, who started the game for Friday, even had to leave the game as the game got into the later innings. The game was 0-0 when Joe Markos led off the bottom of the ninth, and hit a long drive to left-center field 30 feet past where the wind had earlier torn the fence away - leading to a complex finish to the day. Originally the fielders signaled a home run, and Markos slowed down. Then it was ruled the ball was live, since it was in the gap of missing fence, and Markos scampered to make it to third base. The call was questioned, but upheld at the field. The league rep at the field, however, called in a discussion of the play, and both team captains agreed to allowing members of the league vote on a final decision. Ultimately, the ruling was made that the hit should be held up as a home run, and King Friday receives their first on-field win. Although, their first win they can celebrate at the field still alludes them.

Video of Game 1:


Photos from Lafayette Park:


Gameday: 6/22 - Belgian @ Punchouts

@
6/22 - Knockout Park Someplace - Manchester, MI
Playing for 2nd Place in Ringler

Game
1		 Belgian Wiffles-0
Punchouts 37-1
PERFECT GAME   WP:  Hatt    LP:  Skinner    HR:  Bortmas (2)
Game
2		 Belgian Wiffles-0
Punchouts 37-4
WP:  Bortmas    LP:  Castle    HR:  Hatt (2)


Photos from under the lights at the Relay for Life:

Six Weeks (and Tons of Games) to Play

Team Games Yet to Schedule
Belgian Wiffles 12
 Home:  Punchouts, Aces
 Road:  Donkeys, Punchouts, Aces, Seamen
Commandos 14
 Home:  Friday, Punchouts, Ducks, Seamen
 Road:  Donkeys, Friday, Ducks
Donkeys 10
 Home:  Belgian, Commandos, Friday, Punchouts, Ducks
 Road:  N/A
Flying Squirrels 4
 Home:  Seamen
 Road:  Seamen
Jason Mattseals 0
 Home:  N/A
 Road:  N/A
King Friday 10
 Home:  Commandos, Ducks
 Road:  Commandos, Donkeys, Punchouts
Manchester Punchouts 20
 Home:  Belgian, Friday, Seamen
 Road:  Belgian, Commandos, Donkeys, Mattseals, Ducks, Aces, Seamen
Thunder Ducks 14
 Home:  Commandos, Punchouts, Aces
 Road:  Commandos, Donkeys, Friday, Aces
Whiteford Wicked Aces 12
 Home:  Donkeys, Punchouts, Ducks, Seamen
 Road:  Belgian, Ducks
Seamen 14
 Home:  Belgian, Squirrels, Punchouts
 Road:  Commandos, Squirrels, Punchouts, Aces
Six weeks remain in the 2012 season. Eight teams have a double-digit number of games still to put on the schedule. Compounding this worry, there are zero games on the schedule currently for Week 9 Update: Commandos and Friday have set up a 4-game home-and-home series Sunday at Lafayette Park. Some teams are in serious danger of not completing their season, and worse yet, not playing the 24 games needed to be eligible for post-season play.

By far the team in the most trouble is Manchester: 20 games to play, 14 on the road, and part of their team will be gone the June 13-15 weekend. Having three series scratched off the schedule has not helped their cause. One thing that can really help them, though, is three downriver series in Taylor (Belgian), Trenton (Ducks), and Woodhaven (Seals) that could be knocked out in one trip. Similarly, traveling to Detroit (Commandos) through New Hudson (Donkeys) is a possible trip on the table. They also have road games against the Seamen, which can be knocked out in addition to series at any of these fields.

The next deepest hole to dig out of belongs to the Commandos; primarily because of the preference for Friday night games. While this can still work for some of their home games (try to help them out and get your team there; two games can easily be played starting after 7 pm), this clearly will not allow for completion of their 14 games (8 home, 6 road) at this point. Sundays have been available to four members of their roster at times this season, and will have to be utilized to complete their season.

The Commandos playing Sundays would also greatly help the rest of the league. For instance, the Ducks could play in Detroit, then travel to New Hudson to play the Donkeys. Meanwhile, King Friday could play their road games against the Donkeys then come back through Detroit to play the Commandos for two, or even all four, games if necessary. These are just some options, but they are to get you thinking and talking with the other teams about getting these games played. Just like the game played on the field, setting up these games takes cooperating with each other and occasionally making concessions to keep things running smoothly. Remember, if you can get four players you have a full team; and if you can get three it is better than not playing at all.

We know everyone has work, school, wives, kids, lives, etc. and Wiffle is not the highest priority on any list, but these reasons do not prevent an entire team from playing. The only team to complete their schedule has all of those things, including swing-shifts at work, multiple married guys, and kids. Here is the secret: every guy has not been at all of their games, but they have had at least four there on game day. Sometimes wives and kids even come to their games! For another example: the Squirrels are yet to play with the same lineup twice this season, but they have gotten at least four players to the field every game day. It is not difficult to find four of seven guys who can take a couple hours out of their day; in fact, the earlier you set it up, the easier it is for them to make themselves available.

Next season scheduling will not be a problem. We will be setting up a weekly schedule in advance of the season. A meeting will be held in early April 2013 at which a representative of every team will be in attendance and we will go week-by-week scheduling series. The specific day within the week may then be chosen any time by the teams. This will give you a chance to avoid dates you know may pose a problem, while allowing the league to not have to constantly change the upcoming schedule, miss out on hyping big match-ups because they are scheduled two days beforehand, or waste hours on the schedule and Marquees for series that never happen.

For now, though, it is still all in your guys' hands. Obviously, there is no Marquee this week with no games on the schedule entering the week. Honestly, not having features like the Marquee and upcoming match-ups makes the league look like crap, but we care much more about you getting the games played than providing you with the good league experience - no matter how much fun the latter is. So, just get on the horn with the other teams, get these games set up, and get them played.

Gameday: 6/16 - Mattseals, Friday, Squirrels

@
6/16 - The New Drey - Romulus, MI

Game
1		 King Friday-0
Flying Squirrels 22-4
 WP:  Coffee   LP:  Mushinski
Game
2		 King Friday-0
Flying Squirrels 22-3
 WP:  Corbett    LP:  Ry. Hurd


King Friday visited the New Drey to finish off their season series with the Flying Squirrels. The Squirrels were without many of their regulars, so good friend of the league, Chris Kincaide joined them for the two games. With Constanti gone, and Corbett unavailable to pitch, Carl Coffee took the mound for the Squirrels in Game 1. Richard Hurd once again brought a full team, and Brandon Mushinski pitched for Friday. The Squirrels first four batters scored to go up 4-0, and that happened to be the only runs they scored all game. Mushinski pitched very well after his 1st inning struggles. Carl Coffee and the knuckleball seemed to be working as he shut down King Friday for a two hit shut out as the Squirrels won 4-0.

Game 2 saw Brandon Corbett pitch against 12 year old Ryan Hurd Jr., Richard's nephew. The Squirrels once again started off strong, scoring their first two batters. Rookie Ryan Alexia had the best game of his early career going 3-5 with two runs scored. Corbett pitched a gem, only allowing one hit. Ryan Jr. pitched very well in his Wiffle debut by striking out nine. The Squirrels added a run in the 2nd inning and they took the win 3-0.

Video of Game 1:


Photos from the New Drey:

@
6/16 - The New Drey - Romulus, MI

Game
1		 Mattseals-1
King Friday-0
 WP:  Franzen    LP:  Mushinski
Game
2		 Mattseals-5
King Friday-1
 WP:  Paquin   LP:  Ry. Hurd


King Friday hosted the seals using the New Drey as their home field. Game 1 saw Greg Franzen start his second ever game pitching and had little trouble handling the struggling bats of king Friday. Poor fielding and lack of run support continue to cause Friday pitchers to get in holes they cannot climb out of. Mushinski has pitched well this season with the exception of a few bad innings that end up being the difference. King Friday keeps it close, but loses a heartbreaker 1-0.

Game 2 had King Friday looking to salvage something, anything from the final game of four-game series with their rivals the Mattseals. The young rookie Ryan Hurd Jr. starting his second game of the day/year held strong for most of the game, and a few hits mixed in with a couple walks had King Friday with their first lead of the season until the floor fell out from under them. Ryan Jr. gave up a couple walks to start the 4th inning, and together with a few blunders from the fielders the game got away from them once again. Five outs away from their first win, the game turned into a 5-1 loss to the Seals.


Photos from the New Drey:

@
6/16 - The New Drey - Romulus, MI

Game
1		 Mattseals-0
Flying Squirrels 22-1
 WP:  Gapske    LP:  Hewlett
Game
2		 Mattseals-1
Flying Squirrels 22-0
**18 innings**  WP:  Cosby    LP:  Corbett


The Mattseals and the Squirrels met for the only two games they would play against each other this season. For Game 1 the Squirrels called upon David Gapske once again to pitch, and the Seals had notorious Squirrel killer, Jason Hewlett pitch. The Squirrels were able to score a run in the first inning, thanks to a Nick Coffee RBI walk, and that would be all the run support they would need as David Gapske was in strong form. Hewlett also pitched well for the Seals, but took the tough loss as the Squirrels won 1-0.

Nobody could ever have predicted what was in store for Game 2. Brandon Corbett once again pitched for the Squirrels, and Adam Cosby pitched for the Mattseals. Not much happened in the 5 innings of regulation play, so the game innocently went to extra innings. After 7 innings of play, both teams faced the difficult decision of whether they should keep their pitchers in and lose them for the next two games. The Squirrels had to ride Corbett, since they really did not have another pitching option. The Seals almost pulled Cosby, but at the last second kept him in to finish the game. Although neither team was able to score, the teams were able to get on base. There were 21 total hits between the teams, so many runners were stranded on base throughout the game. The game quickly went to double digit innings, with both pitchers showing no signs of fatigue. It wasn't until the top of the 18th inning that someone crossed the plate, when the Seals were able to score a run on a Mike Myers RBI single to score Greg Franzen. The Squirrels went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning, and the Seals won 1-0 in a record setting game.

Video of Game 1:


Photos from the New Drey:

Introducing Big Wood


WSEM will be sending a team down to Columbus, OH July 13-15 to play in the inaugural NWLA Tournament. This tournament will be the first time more than two NWLA leagues have gotten together to compete in fast-pitch games, get the chance to have more than a couple hours to get to know each other in person, and - most importantly - be provided the opportunity to make asses of themselves together. Now, to announce the WSEM team roster, I turn it over to your commissioner and occasional bed-fellow, Carl Coffee.

– – –

The Inaugural NWLA tournament will be held this July in Columbus, Ohio, and WSEM will be bringing a team of All-Stars to represent the league. I have been involved in competitive Wiffleball since 2004, and it is wonderful to see the sport I love grow into something so popular. I am even more proud to see my league grow into one of the top leagues in the country. The talent pool in WSEM is getting better every year, so choosing a team to play in this tournament wasn’t easy. Many wonderful players were left out, but the players who were chosen were well deserving of their spots. The team of All-Stars needed a fun team name that people will remember, so ladies and gentlemen, give your Big Wood a hand!

#37   Dennis Pearson     P, DH     Bats: R   Throws: R

The first player I invited to join the team was a no-brainer. Dennis Pearson pretty much single handedly won his team the WSEM Championship in 2011. He led the league in both wins and strike outs, earning him the Clown Shu award (Best Pitcher). He also won the NWLA Strike Out King Award, which is given to the pitcher with the most strike outs in the entire country. Dennis also led the league in RBIs last season, and was second in HRs, so he is definitely a two way threat. Dennis will bat cleanup for Big Wood, and will either be the #1 or #2 pitcher. He will wear #37, and when he is not pitching he will DH.
#24   Austin Bischoff     P, RF     Bats: R   Throws: R

Austin Bischoff received the second invite to join Big Wood. Austin joined the Flying Squirrels in the 2nd half of the 2011 season, and nearly carried the team to the Championship Series. In 2012 Austin started his own team, the Whiteford Wicked Aces. He is off to an impressive start with both pitching and hitting. At the plate he has five HRs, 15 RBIs, a .318 BA, and a .403 OBP. On the mound he has only given up one hit in 28.1 innings pitched, earning him a 4-1 record with 80 strike outs. Austin will compete with Dennis for the #1 pitching spot, and will bat 3rd for the team. He will wear #24, and when he is not pitching he will either DH or play RF.
#17   Brandon Corbett     UT     Bats: R   Throws: R

Brandon Corbett is the ultimate utility player, and every good team needs a player like that on their roster. Corbett has done it all for the Flying Squirrels. He started off the 2011 season as the ace pitcher, and then ended the season as their #3. In 2012 he was supposed to be their #3 pitcher, but was bumped to their #2 pitcher and has excelled in that role. So far this season, he is 5-2 with a 1.56 ERA and has 49 strike outs. When not pitching he can play any position on the field. Offensively, Corbett leads the league in RBIs with 18, and also has four home runs. Corbett is on Big Wood for his bat, but if someone needs to eat up some innings, he may be called upon to pitch. Corbett will bat 2nd in the lineup. He will wear #17, and will play LF, RF, and will also DH.
#3   Sam Hatt     P, OF     Bats: L   Throws: R
Two players from the Manchester Punchouts, Evan Bortmas and Sam Hatt, were invited to join Big Wood, and both are excellent five tool players. Bortmas and Hatt both provide much needed speed and will compete with each other for the #3 pitching spot. Both are excellent pitchers so whoever does not get the #3 pitching spot will be used in relief. Both of these guys also play excellent defense, so you will see these guys playing together a lot in the field when Pearson or Bischoff are pitching. Sam Hatt bats lefty, so that will give Big Wood some diversity in the lineup. I am not sure yet who will bat #1, and who will bat #5, but either way these guys will make a lot of noise in Ohio. Bortmas will wear #9, and Hatt will wear #3.

#9   Evan Bortmas     P, OF     Bats: R   Throws: R
#33   Alex Shore     UT     Bats: L   Throws: R

The sixth and final spot on the roster goes to Alex Shore. He is still unsure whether or not he will be able to play due to the schedule of a surgery he has to go through, but either way he will be with the team. Alex has been a big part of WSEM as a player, captain, and now as the league’s beat writer. Last season with a revolving door roster, he led the Westside Warriors to the 3rd best regular season record. No one in the league comes close to the left-handed power Shore has, and he is also one of the top base runners in the league. This season Shore is a member of the Donkeys and is quietly having another fine season. The plan for him in Columbus is unSHORE, but if able to play, he will obviously be an important part of the team. He will be used much like Corbett, as a utility player. Shore will wear #33.



I (Carl Coffee) will manage Big Wood, and Chris Paquin will be the pitching/third base coach.

Gameday: 6/10 - BW @ FS, JM / SM @ TD

@
6/10 - The New Drey - Romulus, MI
*** Marquee Match-up ***

Game
1		 Belgian Wiffles-1
Flying Squirrels 28-0
** 7 inning perfecto ** WP:  Skinner    LP:  Gapske
Game
2		 Belgian Wiffles-0
Flying Squirrels 28-1
WP:  Corbett    LP:  Castle


The inter-division rivals faced off for the first time this season at the New Drey, as the Flying Squirrels (10-2) hosted the Belgian Wiffles (5-3). Both teams were without their ace pitchers (Constanti, Phillips), so Craig Skinner took the mound for Belgian in Game 1. The Squirrels in need of a pitcher, found David Gapske, who is a veteran of the game and a great friend to our league. Belgian threatened to score a few times in the game, but kept leaving runners stranded. It wasn't until a bases loaded grounder in the top of the 7th was fielded by Ryan Bullard and when he tried to throw it to the pitcher, the ball hit the runner going to 3rd base. It was the only run Belgian needed, as Craig Skinner pitched seven perfect innings to win the first game 1-0.

Game 2 saw David Castle and Brandon Corbett face off. David Castle was battling soreness in his pitching arm, but still managed to pitch a complete game. Corbett relied on his defense by striking out only three batters, but did a great job at mostly allowing weak ground balls. The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fifth when the first three Squirrels reached on walks. Rookie Ryan Alexia walked himself in to end the game and Squirrels won 1-0. It was a hard fought two game series for the rivals, and I am sure both teams look forward to meeting again in Week 10.
Video of Game 2:


Photos from The New Drey:


@
6/10 - The Swamp - Trenton, MI

Game
1		 Mattseals-0
Thunder Ducks 46-4
WP:  Pearson    LP:  Mi. Myers    HR: Pearson
Game
2		 Mattseals-2
Thunder Ducks 46-0
WP:  Paquin    LP: D. Braden


Video of Game 2:


Photos from The Swamp:


@
6/10 - The Swamp - Trenton, MI

Game
1		 Seamen-7
Thunder Ducks-6
WP:  Barbarossa    LP:  Pearson
Game
2		 Seamen-
Thunder Ducks-
WP:  N. Braden    LP:  Kincaide


Photos from The Swamp:


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