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

Stepping Down: 2014 to be Commissioner Coffee's Final Season

As the 2013 season comes to a close, the WSEM front office is already focused on 2014 and the big changes that are in store. Every offseason the league has made pretty big changes, and next year will be no exception. 2014 will be the fourth season for WSEM, and I am thrilled to see our league rise in prominence as one of the biggest and most popular leagues in the country. After the 2014 season though, I will be stepping down as the Commissioner.

In 2005, I tried to form the Downriver Wiffleball League and soon realized the challenges in store. After three years of living out of state I returned in 2009 and then again wanted to form a league. It took two years of networking and hosting tournaments to finally have enough interest to form WSEM in 2011.

Each season had its ups and downs, but every year we have made improvements. We have won many national awards, have a top five ranked website, our podcast is very popular, and our Big Wood team has made a lot of noise in the NWLA tournament. With WSEM growing and improving, why would I step down?

Running a wiffleball league is very time consuming, and trust me I get a lot of help. Whether it is Corbett on the webpage, my brother making the turfs, or Crozier with the trophy and Handies, I have been able to surround myself with good people. I really get too much credit when I do not deserve it. I was ranked the 8th best commissioner in the country and was voted into the NWLA Hall of Fame, and although I am honored to get that recognition, a lot of it comes with guilt. So why would I step down?

Through the years we have been able to network with top leagues all over the country and many of the commissioners who run these leagues do not get the kind of help I have. They are stuck with many tasks, and would kill to have what our league has. I am well aware of this, and this also gives me a little guilt. So why would I step down?

This is why I am stepping down. Anyone who knows me probably knows I have a very addictive personality. When I am interested in something my entire focus is on that one thing and it consumes my life. For the longest time all I             
wanted was to form a wiffleball league and well, that goal has been met. I still have fun and love the friendships I have made because of this league, but my heart is no longer in it like it has been in the past. Don’t get me wrong, I will give it my all in 2014 and make sure it is the best season to date.

Another reason why I am stepping down is because of the growth of the NWLA Tournament. I think this tournament is proof that we are one step closer to getting national recognition and I want to be a part of putting “backyard” wiffleball on the map. Forming a local wiffleball league was a challenge, but this goal will be way tougher. I am not done with this sport, and I believe if I surround myself with the right people, we may be able to make this goal happen.

I have no idea what the future of WSEM has in store. I do know you are in good hands. Corbett will be given the opportunity to become the new commissioner, and if he doesn’t want it, a new one will be picked out after next season. Thank you to everyone who has helped make these last three summers memorable, and let’s make 2014 the best one ever.