 | Your Junk my Happy Zone | |
| by Brandon Corbett |
We are just over one week away from Opening Weekend of WSEM's inaugural season and without throwing a pitch our teams are already growing in popularity and beginning to build fan bases. Some of the interest in our teams comes simply from friends and excited word of mouth: real grassroots franchise building from the ground up. Other teams' interest comes from the top down: having achieved national attention for one reason or another, and now cashing in on that spotlight. We have teams' popularity ranked by page views and are here to give the reasons why we think each team falls where they do in the public eye.
Belgian Wiffles
501 page views
The Belgian Wiffles are one of the teams with the large national fan base already. There are two key components to their widespread interest. The first is, quite simply, their name. It has received love on the NWLA message board, and been championed by the Wiffler's Digest blog. The second key to Belgian popularity most likely comes from their roster having connections to the Wifflehouse. Alan Garcia's Wifflehouse is one of Michigan's greatest wiffleball icons and is highly regarded by wiffler's around the country. Having members on your roster who have played there definitely raises your team's fame.
So, what's in a name? Evidently, for the Belgian Wiffles, a lot, including the largest fan base in the league.
Git r' Done
472 page views
Coming in with WSEM's second largest fan base, Git r' Done is one of the teams who built their popularity in a grassroots fashion. Part of the younger generation they have gotten their friends interested in the success of the team. When accolades of Git r' Done players show up on facebook they get the quickest response and the most likes and comments. Another reason for piqued interest in Git r' Done stems from their rivalry on and off the field with the other young WSEM team, the Westide Warriors. The talk between the two is unavoidable, the games are thrilling, and everyone is excited to see what they are capable of accomplishing.
Git r' Done's fan base is mostly local at the moment, but with the caliber of game they play and success they seem due for expect their national following to boom before this season is up.
Westside Warriors
438 page views
Westside is the one team other than Git r' Done who have the real ability to cultivate a large amount of local interest, turning their friends into Warriors fans. Obviously, they also benefit equally with Git r' Done from their intense rivalry, and have all eyes in the league on them. Expect the Warriors national popularity to explode, as well, when they shoot to the top of the standings and put up impressive numbers for all to see.
The game Westside talks will keep local eyes on them, and the game they play should bring in a bunch of national attention.
Flying Squirrels
423 page views
The Flying Squirrels are another top-down, nationally followed team. The reason for this is obvious: league founders and commissioners Coffee and Corbett are the two most well known members of WSEM seen in the national light, and both play for the Squirrels. Basically, if you are seen you will be looked at.
It is not all window dressing as the Squirrels' pedigree does make a case for itself (13-7 record, a championship), but if painting on a nice face draws greater interest the Squirrels will take it.
Jason Mattseals
359 page views
The Mattseals are the newest WSEM franchise and are already jumping up the popularity charts. They have led team page views every week since they signed on. I think this is all about the ladies. Well, the logo actually, but the chicks dig that seal!
I suppose it could be all the new players checking in and site viewers checking in on the progress of the new guys, but c'mon... you know the Jason Mattseals want us to say they have all the ladies rooting for them.
Ass Kickers
348 page views
The Ass Kickers ranking as the sixth most popular WSEM franchise surprises me a bit. They have won they only championship they played for and have a massively hyped superstar pitcher, so why do they get overlooked. It could be due to that they have not played since last June or maybe their just recently completely roster, but I think it is due to the team's "in the clubhouse" mentality. They focus their attention on the field, on how to play the game. They are not outspoken or looking for any spotlight. The Ass Kickers do not seem to care about building up any hype, they will let impressions be formed by what they do on the field.
I expect to things from the Ass Kickers: an impressive record and huge interest following their on-field success.
Wiffling DeLoppes
346 page views
The Wiffling DeLoppes fall into a similar trap as the Ass Kickers: they are not interested in anything outside of the game play itself, probably even less than the Ass Kickers. They spend no time around the trash talk, and look at online updates only on a limited basis. Most of the DeLoppes interaction with other teams is done in ways to help the league; either with ideas that might make things run smoother, or in reaching out to set schedules. It is funny, because on game day the DeLoppes roster are some of the most approachable, outspoken characters at the field.
The DeLoppes are isolationists; it helps them fly under the radar. While that might not bode well for a fan base, it just may help them on the field: the element of surprise.
Campus Commandos
265 page views
The Commandos are the Marlins of WSEM; far behind in fan numbers. Even with their 15 man roster they are unable to draw in much attention. Then again, that shouldn't be much of a surprise. Captain Grant showed up to the Winter Meeting, but since then only one Commando has shown up to a Spring Training event: free agent pitcher, Joe Seto.
This team has enough trouble drawing up interest from their lineup; how are they supposed to draw attention from others to grow a fan base?
But let's not go out on a low note! When you joined a wiffleball league you probably did not expect to create any sort of interest outside of the league; hell, it is hard enough telling your friends you play wiffleball, right? Well, you have, and the league's fan base is not limited to just national attention; this is WSEM Deportes! Every week the WSEM website receives visitors from around the world. Most international hits are on the Skinny, teams pages, and the front page. Our biggest international fan bases are found in Colombia and Germany with Denmark, Kuwait, and Canada close behind. I know what you are thinking: spammers. Maybe you are right, but c'mon get lost in the fever of the moment! Let yourself embrace your international fan base, and let WSEM Deportes bring them to you!
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Brandon Corbett
Flying Squirrels, 17, P
Escritor Famoso
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