One Last Rodeo

   by  Brandon Corbett  w/  Mike Constanti

"You have to be committed if you wanna operate a franchise."

On Tuesday night Mike Constanti announced plans to retire after the 2013 season to league headquarters. He cited wanting to spend the time Wiffleball takes up with his family in the future, and focusing on his son's efforts in baseball instead. Mike's current plans, though, are to go out on top. "I'm goin' for the Clown Shu this year," he says, and he will give it all on the field for the Ducks. Speaking of the field, he also mentioned using Constanti Field as a home for the Ducks. If true, it is fitting since it was the first WSEM field to earn "The Swamp" nickname. Constanti also took the opportunity to speak on other things around the league.

One thing many may be interested in, he provided some insight into why he chose to leave the Squirrels and sign with the Ducks. "That trade between the Squirrels and Belgians before the first day of (the) playoffs was bullshit and embarassing. Still shaking my head on why? Kind of a deciding factor of why I pursued to play somewhere else," Mike admitted, adding, "please, let's have a hard set deadline for trades." The reason for that trade has been kept guarded, as it is of a personal and private nature. However, the motive was to keep all players on the field. It will come as good news to Mike, though, that a trade deadline date has been set: the final day of Week 10, which is June 25th for the 2013 season.

Having thrown himself into the Clown Shu discussion, he also offered his opinions on this year's changes to give batters a boost. "Mound is moved back... I actually like this rule, 'cause it gives the hitter an extra milisecond or two to adjust and make contact. Some of these guys have rocket arms, so this will help." Mike is not as thrilled with the new bats, though. "I, for one, am against (Griffey bats) for the simple fact it takes the game away from what it is. Wiffleball... I don't really follow what other leagues around the country do, but when I think of Wiffleball, I think of the yellow bat." Constanti's opinion on the Griffeys, and moreso his love of the traditional yellows, surprised me. Then, he immediately surprised me again with his thoughts on the hottest issue around the league right now:

"I am in huge favor of this (steals) rule, especially for it being limit(ed). There is strategic value and (it) moves more runners into scoring position. This will definitely help."

Gun to my head? I would have pegged Mike as being of the opposite persuasion on those two issues. It is neat that you can still learn something new about someone at their retirement announcement. He then applauded the new playoff system where only four teams get in, "Imagine the races at the end of the season for division title and the wild card. Every game means something. This will improve the interest of all the teams in the league. Stakes are higher!!!" Before turning his attention to the league as a whole.

"Carl and Brandon have done a very nice job running the league and more importantly promoting it. Gives us that big league feel. You go on the website and it's about us. The stats, the articles from random players, the podcast (my favorite), the game of the week, Youtube videos and highlights, archives, and the list goes on and on. Shines the lights on individuals and teams, makes everyone apart of something. You can see the Commandos vs. King Friday for game of the week just to see who gets out of the cellar first. There's something for everyone."

In addition to the praise, he also brought up an issue he has had with scheduling since the dawn of WSEM when he was captain of the Ass Kickers.

"I'm goin' for the Clown Shu."

"The biggest down fall I think, and it sounds like the problem may be solved, is the schedule issue. I would hate to be a manager last year. As much as I give credit to the way the website is done, I lost count of how many x's and scratches there were on games of the week... I know we all have lives, but if you run a team, it is your job to make sure your team is available so you don't screw the league and the opposing managers who put time aside for your team for a series. You have to be committed if you wanna operate a franchise."

Constanti is right on all accounts here. There were a ridiculous amount of cancellations in 2012, many of them late, and going forward we will have a set weekly schedule for series to avoid that problem. Most importantly, though, Mike absolutely nailed what a captain's responsibility is to his team, his opponents, and the league.

"I like to see this league thrive to heights which it has never seen before. The league is great now, but there is always room for improvement, and I'm very glad there is always change to make it better."

Mike Constanti will be missed in 2014, but that is still a long way off. He is a two-time All-Star and is named the #35 best pitcher of all-time in the NWLA with a career record of 16-5 and ERA of 1.12. Mike is gearing up for one last wild, plastic rodeo, and he plans on going out in glory with the Clown Shu, Commissioner's Cup and this proud exclamation that, "Constanti Field will be open for DUCK season!!!"