It is with sorrow in my heart that I make this announcement, but also confidence in what is to come. Due to availability concerns from many team members the Flying Squirrels franchise, one of the originals with us since 2009, has folded. Despite a 30-26 record in league play the Squirrels were often seen as our flagship team. Their best success came at the first WSEM event, after the name change from Downriver Wiffle, when they won the September 2010 tournament. The Squirrels may no longer be part of league play, but they will remain with us as our team that travels down to London, OH every summer for that wonderful tournament.
The dissolution of the Squirrels is not all somber, either. The players are now on the free agent market, which increases the talent pool and will serve to strengthen the remaining teams and improve parity in WSEM. Carl and Nick Coffee, as well as Matt Murtha have already signed with King Friday. While against Capt. Hurd's 2012 "rookies only" policy, the addition of these long-time Wiffle vets to a roster that's figured out the game should make Friday much stronger in 2013. Ryan Bullard and Jason Hewlett are available and looking forward to finding new teams. Adam Cosby and Mike Myers are also available as part-time players. Team rosters are capped at 8: if you need defense, a bat, or pitcher, make any of them an offer (non-monetary, of course).
We will also be moving forward as an 8 team league for the 2013 season. Prospective teams for slot ten have fallen through, time and again, due to waned interest and commitment. Now with a need for 2 (or at least 1.5) new teams, we feel the best decision is to contract and strengthen our existing franchises and league parity. We will continue to use the Garcia and Ringler divisions, which will be drawn at the Winter Meeting, but the schedule will now be balanced as you will play each opponent 4 times. We will also be changing our postseason set up: 4 teams will make it into the WSEM Championship playoffs, while the other 4 go into 'For the Thrill'.
The loss of the Squirrels is tough, but it is very fitting of a founding franchise to go out in a way that will help improve WSEM for the future.
UPDATE (1/19): Carl and John Hill put together a "Squirrels Retrospective" bonus podcast. You can download it here and listen to them talk about their favorite moments, the brightest stars, and the biggest accomplishments of the franchise.
The dissolution of the Squirrels is not all somber, either. The players are now on the free agent market, which increases the talent pool and will serve to strengthen the remaining teams and improve parity in WSEM. Carl and Nick Coffee, as well as Matt Murtha have already signed with King Friday. While against Capt. Hurd's 2012 "rookies only" policy, the addition of these long-time Wiffle vets to a roster that's figured out the game should make Friday much stronger in 2013. Ryan Bullard and Jason Hewlett are available and looking forward to finding new teams. Adam Cosby and Mike Myers are also available as part-time players. Team rosters are capped at 8: if you need defense, a bat, or pitcher, make any of them an offer (non-monetary, of course).We will also be moving forward as an 8 team league for the 2013 season. Prospective teams for slot ten have fallen through, time and again, due to waned interest and commitment. Now with a need for 2 (or at least 1.5) new teams, we feel the best decision is to contract and strengthen our existing franchises and league parity. We will continue to use the Garcia and Ringler divisions, which will be drawn at the Winter Meeting, but the schedule will now be balanced as you will play each opponent 4 times. We will also be changing our postseason set up: 4 teams will make it into the WSEM Championship playoffs, while the other 4 go into 'For the Thrill'.
The loss of the Squirrels is tough, but it is very fitting of a founding franchise to go out in a way that will help improve WSEM for the future.
UPDATE (1/19): Carl and John Hill put together a "Squirrels Retrospective" bonus podcast. You can download it here and listen to them talk about their favorite moments, the brightest stars, and the biggest accomplishments of the franchise.
