Twatter Rankings: Week 1

		Coffee Time
		by Carl Coffee

1.		El Diablos   (2-0, Pow#R: 12.5)
		Even if the Wolfpack were at full strength the 'blos would be 2-0, but their stats wouldn't be slow-pitch softball like.
2.		Whiteford Wicked Aces   (0-0), Pow#R: N/A)
		Like the Warriors, they don’t play until Week 3. Not much else to say about the champs right now.
3.		Flying Squirrels   (2-0, Pow#R: 5.5)	1
		They have some weaknesses and anger issues, but they find ways to win. Could easily be 4-0 after Week 2.
4.		King Friday   (1-1, Pow#R: 3.3)	3
		Lost a heartbreaker to Linebrink, but still smoked Mundel with only three players. Nicco makes them even more dangerous.
5.		Wolfpack   (2-2, Pow#R: -3.1)	3
		Very nice two wins over the Balls. They have favorable pitching matchups Week 2 vs. Belgian and won’t face Farkas.
6.		Westside Warriors   (0-0, Pow#R: N/A)	1
		The Warriors didn't even play and they get a decent ranking. Week 2 is another off week for the black and orange.
7.		Belgian Wiffles   (0-2, Pow#R: -5.5)	4
		Usually when you score 12 runs in one game, and in the other hold a team scoreless through 17 innings, you will win.
8.		Islanders   (1-1, Pow#R: -3.3)	1
		All that Mundel hype and he didn't perform in Week 1. Linebrink looked good though. #8 may be low, I am not convinced yet.
9.		Holy Balls   (0-2, Pow#R: -6.3)	3
		Wolfpack pitching Dancza is almost a throw away game and the Balls didn't capitalize. Not time to freak out yet.
10.		Oakland County Onanism   (0-0, Pow#R: N/A)
		I hate putting these guys at #10, but someone has to be here. After this week we finally will know more about them.

What is Pow#R?
The power number rating (Pow#R) is a mathematical formula using a team's weighted wins (wW) -- Σ(# of wins vs. opponent * (1 + opponents wining %)] --, weighted losses (wL) -- Σ(# of losses vs. opponent * (2 - opponents winning %) --, record over the last five (L5) games, and run differential (DIFF) divided by games played (GP). The equation looks like this:    Pow#R = (wW - wL) + (L5) + (DIFF/GP) + STRK

Three and one, thirty-one, the league's favorite count. The default count. Brought to you by your thirty-one Metro Detroit Ford Dealers (think Ford first). The flavors! It's about time it gets to shine off the field, as well. Flavors of the Week spotlights 3 especially noteworthy - for good reasons - players, games, plays, trends, WTF moments or interesting asides from the past week. Plus, 1 more that needs to be called out for being less than ideal.

speaking of tomfoolery, i think we've met out match in the wsem crew - truck

The 3

#Superman David Castle (KF) blasted out of the gates in Week 1 with 4 HR: 3 of the 3-run variety, 2 of them coming in 1 inning. The fireworks display led him to 10 RBI and a league-best 2.464 OPS. And in case you were worried, he's still on the way to repeating as Great Lakes Stealer: leading WSEM with 2 SB.

#HaveThreeScoops The Squirrels and Belgian enjoyed playing so much on Sunday that they decided to turn game 2 into 3 more. Stephen Farkas (BW) and Brandon D'Agnese (FS) locked horns in an 18-inning pitchers duel. 0-0 until the final swing, when rookie Zach Adams hit a 2-run walk-off ding dong daddy.

#TripleVanilla Kyle Tomlinson (EL) did the unimaginable Saturday. Taking advantage of the more-than-spacious left field at Jason Matt Memorial, he tied the single season record for triples (3) in a single series! Tripling his career total and tying the all-time record, as well, in the process.

& the 1

#RockyRoad 15-1, 11-7, 19-0, 14-3, 16-12... these are football scores. Football scores are embarrassing. 5 of our first 8 games this season were embarrassing. And long. Loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo-oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo-oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo-oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong.

Field Name Power Rankings

		Coffee Time
		by Carl Coffee

My power ranking obsession has hit an all-time low, as I ranked the names of the ten fields. Simply the names are looked at. Pretty lame, eh? How bored is Carl? If I power rank enough ridiculous things, which I will probably do, I want to power rank all my power ranking subjects at the end of the season. Let’s do this!

speaking of tomfoolery, i think we've met out match in the wsem crew - truck

10.  The Island It’s better than Lafayette Park, but still pretty lame. They have the whole pirate theme to work with, but choose to just use a piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water as its name.

9.  Poolside Park Part of the backyard pool is used as its leftfield fencing. Ooooooooooooooo. Has this pool ever been open?!?! It should be Closedpool Park. The only backyard field in the league has a snoozefest name.

8.  The Reservation This is the most racist field name in the league without a doubt. I guess it works, but it just doesn’t do it for me.

7.  The ‘Gian Joint The Belgian Wiffles change their field every year, and the name this year is ok. Gin is a terrible drink though, so for that, they get the #7 spot.

6. Chestnut Field The Drey was one of the best field names ever, and New Drey was also up there. I was pulling for Newest Drey or New New Drey, but I guess that’s over the top. Chestnut Field is middle of the road.

5.  Pervis Memorial They named their field after a dead cat, and somehow it fits. Most people simply call it ‘Pervis’ without knowing the history. Now you know.

4.  King’s Castle The King (captain) of King Friday, David Castle, cleverly incorporates his name in this one. I would have also liked ‘The Eureka.’

3.  Holy Grounds I am guessing this field name was easy to choose. It’s clever and fitting, but ranks at #3 since the top two make me laugh more.

2.  Jerk Turf Jerk Turf was chosen over Masturbation Station, but I guess that would have been a mouthful. Jerk Turf roles of the tongue.

1. Jason Matt Memorial Field Four members of the Wolfpack found out about WSEM last year thanks to their Meijer co-worker, Jason Matt. They honor him by naming their wacky field after him. Very fitting.

Matt Dancza, The Man - Jason Matt, Mark Brannan, and Jason Hollister

WSEM-to-MLB Team Comparisons

		The Castle Chronicle
		by David Castle

Here in WSEM, we are very fond of many things: power rankings, comparisons, and suggestive comments just to name a few. To follow precedent, I thought it would fun to compare this year’s WSEM teams to some of MLB’s teams.

When I think of el Diablos, I think of the Detroit Tigers (sorry Chandler). I make this comparison because, like the Tigers, el Diablos have two of the best pitchers in the game - Chandler James and Craig “Skin Flute” Skinner. And just like the Tigers, they have an MVP at the dish in Kyle Tomlinson.

When I think of King Friday, I think of the Oakland Athletics. Up until the past few years, Oakland was near the bottom of the league when it came to winning games. Billy Bean somehow made a mix of savvy vets and no name rookies mesh so good that they became a rather solid ball club. Just like this years Friday team with an even split of rookies and veterans.

When I think of the Belgian Wiffles, I think of the Kansas City Royals. For the past couple years, people have been waiting on the Royals to finally come into their own but they always seem to take a step back. The same can be said about Belgian: the 2012 team exceeded expectations and last years team was dreadful. This year the Wiffles look to trend up like this year's Royals.

When I think of the Holy Balls, I think of the Cincinnati Reds. Nearly every year in recent memory the Reds have been in the playoff hunt because they play excellent ball in the regular season, but when the playoffs come around, they crumble. The same can be said about the Balls: really good during the season, occasionally beating a good team here and there, but get smacked around in the playoffs.

When I think of the Wolfpack, I think of the Arizona Diamondbacks. For the past couple of years baseball’s experts have picked the D’Backs to finish at the top or near the top of their division, however they end up sucking and don’t live up to their expectations. The Wolfpack were given high expectations but will struggle to keep their record above .500.

When I think of the Wicked Aces, I think of the Tampa Bay Rays. They have a dominant pitcher just like the Rays in Austin Bischoff. Nearly every year the Rays are in the playoffs just like the Aces, but somehow get overlooked because of their lack of offense. Sometimes the best offense is a good defense.

When I think of the Oakland County Onanism, I think of the Houston Astros. Nothing against the Onanism, but I don’t know much about them. Just like I don’t know much about the Astros. I just know that both are below average.

When I think of the Westside Warriors, I think of the New York Yankees. Alex Shore went out a bought his talent just like the late George Steinbrenner. Just like the Yankees, you can also bet that they will be in the playoff hunt. Also, people love to hate the Warriors just like people love to hate the Yankees.

When I think of the Flying Squirrels, I think of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Just like the Pirates, the Squirrels have a team that is trending up. Both have young, talented hitters, but both have a question mark when it comes to pitching.

When I think of the Islanders, I think of the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs haven’t won a championship in 106 years, in comparison it feels like the Islanders haven’t made the playoffs in 106 years. Also, just like the Cubs, the Islanders land the occasional talented player, but fail to build around that talent. Get out while you can Will.

Final Preseason Twatter Power Rankings

		Coffee Time
		by Carl Coffee

10.		Oakland County Onanism		1
		OCO play a lot of games early in the season, so they will soon no longer be a mystery. Keep an eye on D. Kilger
9.		Islanders		1
		Linebrink will bring a lot of rookies this season, hopefully one of them can pitch. I see them splitting on opening night
8.		Wolfpack		1
		Hollister has a large roster to play with, and could be the ultimate sleeper team this season. Can their pitching hold up, though?
7.		King Friday		3
		Castle is looking good so far, but it's only the preseason. When Lollio plays, he will need to carry a big offensive load
6.		Holy Balls		3
		The Purple Gang looked really off this preseason, but I am not overly concerned, DP will find it. They should be around .500
5.		Westside Warriors		1
		I haven’t heard much from Bortmas, but Alex is confident he will be a full-time player. Also should be around .500
4.		Flying Squirrels		1
		The Squirrels are built for tournaments, but the regular season is a different animal. They still are a dang good team.
3.		Belgian Wiffles		1
		Belgian had another nice showing in a Satty. With their complete lineup, they will be a tough team to beat.
2.		Whiteford Wicked Aces
		Zero Satty Appearances and only 4 games in the first five weeks. I wish I had the guts to move them down. #lame
1.		El Diablos
		The Fighting Chickens have one goal this year, the Commissioners Cup. Chand1er looks scary good this season.